LTX A/S

[peobryant]

I have been on the hunt for some Michelin LTX A/S for a while, and am pretty suprised by the price. I called a Ford dealership near me who was having a sale on them, which was they only charge the customer $5 more than they pay for the tire. I called and they told me it would be $172 for each tire... That doesn't include price of installation, or balancing.

I then called a place my grandpa uses, and asked them their price. For 6 235/85/16 LTX A/S tires it would be $1,239.08 and that price includes installation, balancing, and every 5K miles I can come back and get the tires rotated and rebalanced for free. Does that seem like a good deal, or should I pass it up? I did the math, 1,239.08/6 and it came out to be 206.5, which means $205 per tire. But that includes all the perks listed above (installation etc...), so the actual price of the tire would be less.

I looked online and found them for around $168 a piece, but shipping for 6 is $138, and I have no idea what it would cost to mount and balance them.

Any suggestions on other tires with similar tread life?

Also, if anyone finds a link for cheaper 235/85/16 LTX A/S tires, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks for any help

[Richie O]

The last time I changed 4 tires at the local shop I had just over 50 bucks mounting and balencing. That includes jackin up the thing, demounting old tires, mount balence and install the replacements. If you are not going to be spinnin the piss out of it and are planning to get 50,000 miles or so then the service plan offered at every 5 k is worth something. Tires do need to be re balanced once and a while.

[PToombs]

I had 4 16 inch tires removed from rims, and 4 more put on, then balanced. It was $25 each to get it done. I figured it would be about that much for all 4 total!

Something else to watch for, when you buy tires, check the date code on them. On the inside near the bead, is a box with either a 3 or 4 digit number in it. This is the date code, when the tire was made. The code is, the 1st 2 digits are the week, and the next 1 or 2 is the year. like, 438, is 43rd week of '98, if it's 4308, it is 43rd week of '08.
There was an investigation into this, dealers were selling tires that are 6-7 years old, and no good! Some guys kid was killed because the tire was old, though it looked new, and it came apart and the vehicle rolled or something and killed him/her. Been on the car only a week.

[Richie O]

Pete, did you read that on the internet also.

[PToombs]

TDR man! That's where you go for interesting tidbits on the road thru life!



Unless you're CHEAPO!

[Redneckintraining]

rather than using lead balancing try using airsoft BB's.dynamicaly balances.so as the tire wears down they are still balanced.If you go mudding and the mud sticks to the rim its still balanced.its the smoothest riding my truck has ever done-(considering its a 3/4 ton 4x4 dodge from the 80's...)
As a side bonus they never need balancing again.

as for tires try tirerack.com

[Richie O]

I put the bags in my big truck tires. Just the front ones. It is good because they balence the whole rim tire and hub assembly.

[PToombs]

I'll never put anything inside the tire to ride around.
Ever see the inside of a tire that the valvestem stub was left in? I did. That little thing in there chewed up the whole inside of the tire, it was whupped!

I know it's not quite the same, but it's the same principle. Stuff riding around inside wearing out the tire.

[Richie O]

I'll never put anything inside the tire to ride around.
Ever see the inside of a tire that the valvestem stub was left in? I did. That little thing in there chewed up the whole inside of the tire, it was whupped!

I know it's not quite the same, but it's the same principle. Stuff riding around inside wearing out the tire.

At least with the big truck tires the stuff has not hurt them. I have had some for 20,000 miles on them and they were ok when I popped them off.

[Redneckintraining]

I argree it is different with the valve stem.the valve stem is sharp, where the airsoft bb's are light and round.and plastic...

[PToombs]

Not the whole valve stem, just the rubber end. Like when somebody pulls the stem out, and it breaks off.

Round and plastic may help some, but I'll never put them in. Just my fear, ya know?