Tread feathering on BFG A/T's
Submitted: Monday, Mar 17, 2003 at 09:01
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Savvas
Hi all,
While checking pressures on Saturday morning, I noticed that the tread on my new BFG A/T KO's on the rear axle are developing a feathered/scalloped wear pattern across the width of the tread. The tyres have only 3000k's on them.
I started to think that it might be a signal that my shocks are wearing, however the bounce test seems to show they're ok. Then I had a look at a friends 6 month old Jackaroo that has had BFG A/T KO's fitted since new. They have about 8000km and the rears are showing the same wear pattern.
Does anyone have any ideas as to what may be causing it, or is this something to expect with the BFG's?
My car is a Jackaroo Monterey with 58000km's on it. The previous tyres were BFG A/T's of the pre-KO type and they didn't wear like this on the rear.
Reply By: Truckster - Monday, Mar 17, 2003 at 10:20
Monday, Mar 17, 2003 at 10:20
KO/KM BFGs are now lots softer compound... Everyone thinks they are the same as the 'old' BFG's but they arent spit on them.
it seems like a common complaint with them, fast wear, and scalloping... :(
Guy on the patrol list replaced his shocks and springs, different pressures, balanced, rotated, did the lot, but nothing changed.
AnswerID:
15352
Follow Up By: Savvas - Monday, Mar 17, 2003 at 15:40
Monday, Mar 17, 2003 at 15:40
I knew they weren't the same as the old type. But if we are to believe BFG, then they should be better due to the dual compound tread. And they should ride better as well
So far I found that they are slightly noisier than the old BFG tyres but that could be because they have deeper tread than my old worn ones, therefore more air underneath. I also found them to ride more like a rumble strip than the pre KO's.
If these ride rougher AND wear faster, then that's a real BUMMER!!!!
With only 3000km and only a small bit of sand driving done with them, I think I will be looking elsewhere next time.Livbe and learn!
PS...I wanted Cooper's but Custom Fleet would only let me have BFG's because that's what I optioned the car with when I leased it.
FollowupID:
9358
Follow Up By: Frog - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2003 at 02:18
Wednesday, Mar 19, 2003 at 02:18
Savvas,
I also use the new BFG A/Ts on my Patrol. I have now done 40,000ks on them and they have about half tread left. 4000ks to
Innamincka and the desert and have never had a problem with them. I did have the
suspension upgraded just prior to installing them, so that might have something to do with their longevity. Very happy with them.
Regards
FollowupID:
9443
Reply By: Chip - Monday, Mar 17, 2003 at 10:44
Monday, Mar 17, 2003 at 10:44
Had to get rid of mine after 35K for the same reason. Add sidewall splits to compound the problem and I'm afraid I won't be touching them again. Just wait until you've done a couple of rocky terrain trips and see what damage gets done !
Does appear to be a common complaint I'm afraid Savvas.Chip
AnswerID:
15358
Reply By: damien - Monday, Mar 17, 2003 at 15:54
Monday, Mar 17, 2003 at 15:54
I've now done about 29K on my KO's & couldn't be happier. I haven't had a single problem & that includes driving on many & varied terrain.
Savvas, were your tyres made in the USA or Asia? From my experience, it seems the tyres made in Asia have been having some problems, possibly similar to what you are describing. The US made tyres (like mine) seem to be ok.
I was given information by a couple of different tyre dealers to stay away from BFG's unless i could source the US manufactured tyres. I had to specifically request them when i ordered the tyres & was told that they couldn't gaurantee what i got. When i said "no thanks" & began walking out the door, they were very quick to tell me that they would make sure they were US made.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Savvas - Monday, Mar 17, 2003 at 16:35
Monday, Mar 17, 2003 at 16:35
That's the first thing I looked at. They are the US made ones according to the branding on the side of the tyre.
Damien ... you have a Jack' don't you? I went for standard size, 245/70R16. What are you running?
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: damien - Tuesday, Mar 18, 2003 at 10:43
Tuesday, Mar 18, 2003 at 10:43
Hi Savvas, i went for 245/75/16's, just that little bit larger than standard.
As you have the US made tyres, i really can't think of anything else that could be causing your problem. Let us know how it goes,
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: damien - Tuesday, Mar 18, 2003 at 10:43
Tuesday, Mar 18, 2003 at 10:43
Hi Savvas, i went for 245/75/16's, just that little bit larger than standard.
As you have the US made tyres, i really can't think of anything else that could be causing your problem. Let us know how it goes.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Savvas - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2003 at 08:09
Wednesday, Mar 19, 2003 at 08:09
Damien ... What pressures do you run front & back? I've got mine at 36psi all round.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: New Jack - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2003 at 17:58
Wednesday, Mar 19, 2003 at 17:58
Hi folks, don't want to hijack the post but was interested in Damien's tyre size. I've been told by two tyre
places that I can fit 245/75's legally. I was then told by Quickfit tyres that because the tyre placard states 245/70's as the biggest tyre fitted, going to 245/75's goes over the maximum 15 mm increase in diameter. Can you shed some light on this one Damo? I don't want to give the insurance company any excuses if something nasty happens, but would like the 75's as an option.
Cheers
New Jack
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Geoff - Thursday, Mar 20, 2003 at 20:14
Thursday, Mar 20, 2003 at 20:14
New Jack,
Check your owners manual for optional tyre sizes!
The 15mm oversize relates to the largest tyre recommended by the manufacturer for the vehicle, NOT the tyre size stated on the placard.
Cheers
Geoff
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Savvas - Friday, Mar 21, 2003 at 08:23
Friday, Mar 21, 2003 at 08:23
The largest tyre specified for the Jackaroo is actually the 245/70R16.
245/75R16 is technically an illegal fitment as it increases diameter by 24mm. There are guidelines for getting over that illegality published by the RTA in NSW on their website.
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Follow Up By: Geoff - Friday, Mar 21, 2003 at 09:00
Friday, Mar 21, 2003 at 09:00
Fair enuff.
Cheers
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Follow Up By: damien - Friday, Mar 21, 2003 at 22:04
Friday, Mar 21, 2003 at 22:04
Savvas, 36psi is what i run for normal driving.
New Jack, i also heard that fitting 75's may cause problems. I rang my insurance company & asked them, they said no problem & i had it put on my policy in writing.
I'm not exactly sure what the law is, but i know a few people with Patrols who have gone from 265/70/16's to 285/75/16's - that is a huge jump & none of them have bothered telling their insurance company.
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Follow Up By: New Jack - Wednesday, Mar 26, 2003 at 21:07
Wednesday, Mar 26, 2003 at 21:07
Sorry for the slow response, my mail is still being directed to my old hotmail address. I think I'll take your advise Damo's and get it in writing.
(not that i don't trust them) Yeah sure!!
Cheers
New Jack
FollowupID:
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Reply By: diamond - Monday, Mar 17, 2003 at 21:46
Monday, Mar 17, 2003 at 21:46
i work in tyre trade and seems to be since michellin ( you would think i could spell it lol) took over bfg there has been lots of people complaining to us about how i got 100000ks out of the last set and dosnt look like im going to get 50000ks out of theese ones.we see a lot with side wall fractures and if you look at the new m/t they have the pretty new side wall bit.not designed to give you more gripbut there to hold side wall together.now im not bagging bfg they used to be the bees knees but i think there days are over unless they lift there game.now for the bit to annoy some people lol long live the cooper st
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Eric - Tuesday, Mar 18, 2003 at 00:35
Tuesday, Mar 18, 2003 at 00:35
Savvas.
Its a long shot but your diff may be locking on the dry roads, do you have the right oil in it? do a test, with wet newspaper on concrete push the cars rear wheels over the paper with the front on half lock and the paper should not tear. Eric.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Savvas - Tuesday, Mar 18, 2003 at 08:39
Tuesday, Mar 18, 2003 at 08:39
Thanks for that. I did originally think it was a mechanical problem causing the wear. But the fact that another Jackaroo that is only 6 months old is exhibiting exactly the same wear pattern on the same make of tyre makes me think the mechanics are as they should be. However, it is only on the rear axle of both Jackaroos.
Not seeing this type of wear on the front. Just the usual shoulder wear there.
I'll try this test. Might be a "feature" of the Isuzu diff.
The fluid is factory at this point and there's no LSD chatter to indicate a problem.
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Reply By: nugget - Tuesday, Mar 18, 2003 at 00:37
Tuesday, Mar 18, 2003 at 00:37
I am also very disappointed with my BFG, A/T KO's. Not only will I be lucky if they reach 50000 km's but they have lots of sidewall cuts at the edges of the tread to a point where some of the outer tread blocks look like they could separate from the tyre. Another problem I have is balancing. They have been balanced 4 times in the 20000 km's and never been right. Between 95-105 kph they are the worst. They are 235/85R16. My other tyres never had a problem.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Robert- Tuesday, Mar 18, 2003 at 22:33
Tuesday, Mar 18, 2003 at 22:33
have you had them balanced on the car it could pick up a problem
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Reply By: Steve L - Tuesday, Mar 18, 2003 at 08:10
Tuesday, Mar 18, 2003 at 08:10
Looking at the size tyres you all seem to be running - are these sizes labelled as 'LT' (light truck) by BFG?
I understand that on the new KO's, the ones made in the US and listed as a 'LT' model have none of the problems you are mentioning.
Just a thought....
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Savvas - Tuesday, Mar 18, 2003 at 08:33
Tuesday, Mar 18, 2003 at 08:33
Mine are LT and made in the US. I haven't seen any cracks or splits yet, but they haven't seen much hard duty yet either.
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Reply By: Geoff - Tuesday, Mar 18, 2003 at 12:09
Tuesday, Mar 18, 2003 at 12:09
G'day Savvas,
I've got 285/75x16 BFG A/T KO's on my GU.
They've done 50,000 k's, and look like they'll do another 50,000.
Balanced and rotated 4 tyres every 10,000 k's, and kept an eye on the pressures and wheel alignment.
This doesn't help the original question, but it does show that a decent life is possible from them. The only irregular wear I've had was from a slight front end mis-alignment, which has just been corrected .
If yours are showing an irregular wear pattern at such an early time I'd be looking at areas other than the tyres themselves. (Pressures, alignment, LSD operation etc)
A feathered/scalloped wear pattern suggests an alignment problem.
eg. Is the diff housing OK?
Sorry I can't offer any real help.
Good luck
Geoff
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Robert- Tuesday, Mar 18, 2003 at 22:36
Tuesday, Mar 18, 2003 at 22:36
what tyre pressure are you runningin the 285
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Follow Up By: Geoff - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2003 at 09:08
Wednesday, Mar 19, 2003 at 09:08
38psi on the black stuff. Tread depth is 10mm on all 4 tyres.
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Follow Up By: Member - Robert- Wednesday, Mar 19, 2003 at 21:56
Wednesday, Mar 19, 2003 at 21:56
thank geff
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Reply By: kezza - Tuesday, Mar 18, 2003 at 22:23
Tuesday, Mar 18, 2003 at 22:23
Rear will always wear flat unless there is a problem with the balance pressure mechanicals or diff lube.
New ish BFG M/T KM series 30,000kms and still have over 13mm tread on them no sidewall problems no punctures (and I live in the bush and work them)
Most problems due to wrong pressure and expecting them to do the impossible. IMHO
kezzaa
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