Tire balancing - Upstate NY

[John in the Woods]

Just upgraded to Mickey Thompson Baja Boss ATs 37x12.5 on AEV Borah wheels. Love the combo, but can't find a shop in central Upstate NY that can balance them old school, with weight. I have them mounted now with beads, but they shake from 45 mph up. Ruins the ride, and can't be good for the truck.

Can anyone recommend a place within 100 miles or so of Ithaca that knows their stuff?

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[John in the Woods]

I'll answer this one myself in case anyone else is looking down the road.

I made a bunch of calls looking for a shop that can mount and balance 37s and uses weights rather than beads to get the job done. A few folks pointed me toward Finger Lakes Automotive, a specialty tire, suspension and accessory shop not too far outside of Ithaca. Great owner and great crew. Took the truck in right on scheduled time. Unmounted all 5 Baja Boss ATs to suck out the beads, then remounted them, re-installed the rash rings, and got them balanced and remounted on the truck all by lunchtime. All for less then the original shop charged just to mount and (improperly) balance them on the rims and toss them into the back of a truck. Not bad.

Not a wobble to be had now. Now I know why people love their Mickey Thompsons. Very smooth. I can absolutely recommend the this place: FingerLakesAutomotive.com, or call Mike at 607-862-2886.

 

[mrmo]

Never happened w/o pics...lol

 

[John in the Woods]

Never happened w/o pics...lol

Great point!

 

[mrmo]

Thanks for those, and very nice! Looks good, i wanted to see those wheels, the MT's are bitchin...

 

[John in the Woods]

Thanks for those, and very nice! Looks good, i wanted to see those wheels, the MT's are bitchin...

Thanks. I love the tires and the wheels. In hindsight, I wish I would have ordered the dark gray protection rings. The rings are great, but the silver ones pop a little too much for my taste. I'll probably paint them at some point.

 

[sarguy1941]

I know you got it done but if you ever need a good jeep shop give Smitty's Repair and Restoration a call. He did all my jeep work before I moved south and is a true jeeper. You can find him on Facebook.

2800 State Route 49
West Monroe, NY, NY 13167

 

[John in the Woods]

I know you got it done but if you ever need a good jeep shop give Smitty's Repair and Restoration a call. He did all my jeep work before I moved south and is a true jeeper. You can find him on Facebook.

2800 State Route 49
West Monroe, NY, NY 13167

Excellent and thanks. He’s on my list now.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I’d also make sure your pressure is not too high. I have the same tires and originally was running them around 34-35. Since they’re d rated, MT recommended 27psi cold on that vehicle. At higher pressures they had a bit of a wobble around 45-53mph. It’s gone now, and they’re wearing evenly.

 

[John in the Woods]

I’d also make sure your pressure is not too high. I have the same tires and originally was running them around 34-35. Since they’re d rated, MT recommended 27psi cold on that vehicle. At higher pressures they had a bit of a wobble around 45-53mph. It’s gone now, and they’re wearing evenly.

Sweet tip. Thanks. I have them at 36 cold. They’re waaaaay better then the used to be when they were first mounted. I’ve been happy with ride and fuel mileage, although I do notice the edges aren’t showing as much wear. I’ll try taking them down 27 cold and see how they feel. I’ve got an 1,100- mile highway haul ahead next week, so I want to dial them in just right.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Sweet tip. Thanks. I have them at 36 cold. They’re waaaaay better then the used to be when they were first mounted. I’ve been happy with tide and fuel mileage, although I do notice the edges aren’t showing as much wear. I’ll try taking them down 27 cold and see how they feel. I’ve got an 1,100- mile highway haul ahead next week, so I want to dial them in just right.

I was hesitant, but they’re perfect now. I was way high being in the mid 30’s. Zero problems at 80mph. I do air up the rears a little when towing, but drop them back to 27 when it’s unhooked. The logic was that the load C tires that come with it are recommended to be at 37 cold on that vehicle. Load D sidewalls are stronger and don’t need that much pressure for the same vehicle. I definitely had less wear on the outside when I was too high. Now they’re nicely evened out. I have about 18k miles on them at this point, and couldn’t be happier. I wheel them around 15psi. They stick to everything.

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