The GU wobble drama continues!!!!!
I have exhausted mechanical fixes (95% fixed), and have now finally achieved a 'wobble free' drive with a borrowed set of new 17" Patrol rims and tyres.
So I'm getting a new set of tyres (was going for Cooper ATR's). Bloke at specialist 4WD tyre
shop advises me Coopers are not a good choice for me and don't balance or 'spin up'
well at all. Says they often require lots of wheel weights to get them OK (a quick look at my wheels back this up). Also says they are just a cheaper mid range US tyre which are
well marketed in Australia.
I've had two sets of Coopers and although they've lasted
well (70,000km's), I admit when first fitted I thought they were not great for smoothness / handling compared to the OEM Bridgestones (to be expected I guess). Just looking at my Cooper AT sidewalls shows major structual inconsistencies which were there from new. He has advised me that if a Patrol has a tendency to shimmy, the hard Coopers will not help the situation. Said Toyota's are fine with Cooper, BFG's etc, just stay away from them on a problematic Nissan and I need everything in my favour to solve this problem.
Strongly advises me to get Jap made Toyo OPAT's as the best way of combating the shimmy problem. Says they are very smooth, balance perfectly, relatively long lasting and
well suited to my purposes (WA 80% long distance hot bitumen, 15% gravel / dirt, 5% low range slugging - no mud) Price is similar to Coopers.
The boss at WA Suspensions and Nissan both advise me to go with Bridgestone 694's. They concede they wear faster than Coopers, but are a big improvement over the recently discontinued 693's in every way. I can get Bridgestones in the bush if required a lot easier, plus they are HEAPS cheaper.
I earn my living in the Patrol and sometimes drive for 18hrs at a time in it, so a little wobble becomes a BIG problem to me. I'm getting real, real angry with the 'factory standard' shimmy now and need to sort it out once and for all.
Advice please??? Toyo OPAT's? (I know nothing about them) Bridgestone 694's? (seems to be a very good option at this stage) Is the Cooper balance issue a myth?
Thanks in advance.