Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 25, 2025 ...

Front End Wheels/Tires

October 20, 2013, 06:21:48 pm

Driving Friday evening to a Wally World to park for the night in order to give the 4th 8G8D Gell a  good operational test, was cool, so no need for a/c. Yes the battery setup did a very fine job and clearly an improvement.

Driving on the interstate at speed, I was sensing a roughness that I was not used to. Maybe I was over sensitive to it for some reason.
SO it is  either the front tires are wearing poorly, they do look great for 50 K miles, the wheels have been balanced, so I will jack up the front axle, and see what gives, bearing smoothness and free play. Also have a close look at the tires.  No care for a wheel leaving and passing me.
Called pay attention.

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Re: Front End Wheels/Tires

Reply #1 – October 20, 2013, 06:43:03 pm

Dave,

Might also check tire run-out while you have it up.

Brett

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Re: Front End Wheels/Tires

Reply #2 – October 20, 2013, 08:20:44 pm

Dave,

In addition to the already good list you had, I just added one easy to check and possible contributor to your issue.

While we both post specific answers to the OP, many others read these posts who may not know (I know you do) that a perfectly balanced "egg" shaped tire will-- well, roll like an egg. Roughness at highway speed can certainly be a symptom (as can the items on your initial post).

Good hunting.

Brett

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Re: Front End Wheels/Tires

Reply #3 – October 20, 2013, 10:24:06 pm

When I was in the business, I would never let a new customer car be delivered with Continental tires. Too many times one would get out of round after a few thousand miles. With the vehicle jacked up, try spinning the wheel with chalk used every inch or so to mark any high spot. Some times a high spot would develop on just one side of the tire. Never had that trouble with Michelins though.

Pierce

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Re: Front End Wheels/Tires

Reply #4 – October 21, 2013, 09:09:51 am

We t six Contenentals 3 1/2 years ago and have had no trouble with them. A little expensive but they were the only thing they had when we really needed to get new tires. Got them in Waco, TX.

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Re: Front End Wheels/Tires

Reply #5 – October 22, 2013, 04:03:01 pm

The new Michelin tires have been ordered, waiting on fresh date codes, the XZE3+ Load range H for $521 + FET, & mount & balance using road force and glue on weights on the Alcoa wheels and clip weights on inside steel rim.Within a week.
Using FMCA & Michelin Corp. rR to get it done, seems very easy, simple so far, approved the credit card, so all forward.

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Re: Front End Wheels/Tires

Reply #6 – October 22, 2013, 04:26:09 pm

fooled them again on the reedit card, hey Dave....

:-)

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Re: Front End Wheels/Tires

Reply #7 – October 22, 2013, 04:49:11 pm

Dave M, Save yourself some trouble and use Centamatics to balance wheels and tires.  Apply once and forget.
Gary B

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Re: Front End Wheels/Tires

Reply #8 – October 22, 2013, 04:52:23 pm

Tim,
Yup, they must been sleeping. 

Gary,
If they make you smile, use em, frankly, I had my fill of the magic crap balancer claims with the Centrmatics, powder wieghting, strobe lighting etc.  It was not until I found a shop in Fort Pierce Fl on the way to the New Years Bussin party, that I finally had a wonderful balance. Headed north on I-95, took it to 95 mph, all quiet and smooth, so returned, had the other six wheels done.  For the rest of the years I owned the MCI, it never had any hint of a wheel balance issue.
So as I mentioned, if you love em, great, but I have been there, done that and am still calling them crap.
Cheers

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