Jose Villarreal
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• Houston, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 4/2/2003 |
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• 9 posts |
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 Posted:4/3/2003 14:16 |
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Hi Scott.
After I made my post yesterday. FORD called me back and the rep said that since the idiot service manager said it was due to my lack of maintenance on the tires. The warranty will not cover it. I can tell you this, this is the 5th FORD truck I have owned, and I rotate my tires at the 15-18K mile range and I never had this problem.
I did have my tires replaced in the famous EXPLORER tire recall, but even then the FIRESTONE's I had worked beautifuly. I put 32K miles on those when they were replaced by FORD.
I explained to the FORD rep that Firestone is willing to replace my tires but they will be prorated, and since this is 45K $ truck , I felt they installed faulty equipment that they 'FORD' should repalce. So by this example, lets say your engine dies, so what are going to be told. "go complain to INTERNATIONAL". I think that's wrong. I can tell you this, this is the last FORD made product I will ever buy. This is the 7th ford car/truck I have purchased new, and they have all performed beautifuly and that's the reason I reamined loyal to FORD. Well, never again.
I'm going to take the same route you took. I'm going to replace my tires at my own expense, but I'm not going to put Firesotnes on it. I just want the peace of mind and my family is way to important to be riding on TIRES I strongly feel have problems.
I'll probably get the Pirelli Scrpions or the Michellin LTX's. BTW, I am goign to call the NHSTA, thanks for the number.
Good luck to ya,
joe
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Dave Sullivan
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• Kitchener, XX, Canada |
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• Registered on 2/27/2003 |
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• 199 posts |
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 Posted:4/3/2003 16:11 |
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| Quote: | Joe, call Firestone. It's their tire and their warranty. Be persistent--nice but firm.
Your Ford warranty calls for 12 months/12,000 miles for the tires and they are NOT covered under your bumper-to-bumper warranty. I know, I read it in detail after my tire fiascop Saturday night.
I hate to be a spoiled sport, but this is a Firestone problem, not a Ford one. Your beef lies with Firestone. Their number is 800-356-4644 and NHSTA's number is 888-DASH2DOT. Frankly I think your best bet is to make nice with a Firestone dealer and let them do your work for you.
Me? I replaced my still-good Firestones with BFG's yesterday. I just don't trust the Firestones any more. Even if I take it on the chin for the cost of replacing the tires, the alternative is unacceptable.
Scott |
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Dave Sullivan
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• Kitchener, XX, Canada |
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• Registered on 2/27/2003 |
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• 199 posts |
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Posted:4/3/2003 16:24 |
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I aggree with scott. I'm changing mine over as soon as is practicable.
Any good tire suggestions out there?
I talked with a fellow who works in a tire factory and he thinks the safest pressure is the rated pressure on the tire. In this case its 65 psi.
He also thinks that the lower pressures that ford puts on the door pillars are the result of ford building their vehicles top heavy and so they use lower pressures to try to prevent roll overs in the event of a panic lane change.
Another thing he pointed out is that the load ratings are rated at the stated max pressure and thats where the mfg's do their testing at the rated load. So if your tire pressure is lower, so is your load rating. And as a bonus, that's apparently where the best tire wear is. I would expect that the fuel milage would be better too.
I am going to do an experiment to see how the X behaves at 60 and 65 psi. I am curious to see if the stearing vagueness lessens or disappears.
Dave.
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Jose Villarreal
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• Houston, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 4/2/2003 |
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• 9 posts |
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 Posted:4/8/2003 10:18 |
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FYI, Dave
I opted to replace the Firestone's for Michellins LTX's. SO far so good.
I got the E rated tires instead of the D's. They take more load and its a heavy duty tire.
Good dluck to ya,,
Joe
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greateastern
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• Southern, MD, USA |
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• Registered on 9/21/2002 |
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• 93 posts |
• 1
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Posted:4/8/2003 21:01 |
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FYI Dave, I run my Steeltex's at 60 rear, 55 front normally. When I tow, I pump them up to 65 rear, 60 front. Gives me the max load capability on the rear axle. Seems to work well so far, though I only towed a couple of trips before I put the camper away for the winter.
Gary
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'02 X LTD, 4X4, PSD, 3.73LS. True Blue & Gold. 15K miles. Pretty much stock. (Sigh!) Upgraded load range Steeltex tires. Roof rack bars removed. Ford spare tire organizer. Way overdue on getting guages... Sunnybrook 30FKS travel trailer, 31ft, 8000lb. |
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Scott Coats
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• Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA |
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• Registered on 1/8/2003 |
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• 84 posts |
• 1
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Posted:4/9/2003 11:19 |
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Hi Dave,
Reagrding running the tires at max pressure and Ford's reasons for suggesting lower pressures:
First, the correct pressure for a tire at a given load is the pressue that results in even surface temperature across the width of the tire. Inflating the tires too high results in higher center temperatures and running them too low results in higher temp on the outside of the tire's foorprint. Higher temp equals faster wear. Thus, when the tire is running at it's correct, ideal inflation pressure for a given load, the wear is even.
Tire pressure is a function of the load you place on it. My Ex is a big boom box with little load, so I can run the tires at a lesser tire pressure than say, someone who is towing or carting their band equipment around. Your tire pressure should be adjusted so that the tire temp is even across the footprint of the tire.
Most people don't have a pyrometer to accurately assess the temperature of their tire, but I do, and 50-55 PSI is where my tires show the most even temps and where I get the best tread wear.
Second, your comments on the tire pressue that the OEM recommends are based on AVERAGE use for that vehicle, not your actual circumstances. The door pillar (or manual) shows the suggested starting point, not what you may need to get the best wear from your tires. It depends on road surface, load, and tire.
The pressure listed on the tire is a MAX inflation safe pressure at the given load rating and not necessarily what is best for your particular vehicle and driving habits.
Ford was accused during the Firestone debacle of inflating the Explorer tires at a lower pressure to improve the ride of the Explorer. This was never an issue with the Excursion (although the principal is the same). Lower pressure equals a "squishier" ride, making the Explorer ride more like a car and less like a truck--perfect for the non-truck experienced soccer moms that the Explorer was marketed to. Lower pressures (i.e., more heat on the sidewall) are what result in tread separation and propensity for rollover due to sidewall flex (among MANY other factors such as center of gravity and "pre-loading" the suspension by steering one way, then abruptly next, road surface, tire condition).
Rollover is caused by many factors, but high inflation pressures is NOT one of them. Just the opposite--lower inflation pressures equal a less rigid sidewall and sidewall flex has a great deal to do with rollover propensity.
I just wanted to clarify those points so that others can inflate their tires to fit their particular situation.
Scott
2001 PSD Excursion, 4" Lift, 315's on 17" Weld Evo Velocity-8 chrome wheels, 315-75-17 BFG AT/KO's, SS Westin Tube Steps, 2200 watt sound system, full pillar gauges, AFE Air Raid, DiabloSport Revolution experimental custom EEC chip (120HP) tune, 4" exhaust, clear turn/head lamps, safety brake light, oversize wipers, 2003 SuperDuty turn signal/heated power towing mirrors, billet grill, limo tint, ProComp steering stabilizer and shocks, the list goes on... |
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ROBERTH
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• Raleigh, NC, USA |
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• Registered on 3/23/2003 |
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• 62 posts |
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Posted:4/9/2003 19:34 |
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Never liked Firestones, never will. Too many problems from uneven wear, to complete failures since the 1970's. Remember the 500 series recall? Seems like same problem to me.
I will be replacing mine before winter arrives. Have has several set's of the BF Goodrich AT TA K/O's on my 1/2 ton 4X4 pickup, with absolutely no problems. In fact, they have such great traction, I had to drive to work one morning in a 24" snow, 18 miles each way, and never once had a problem. Matter of fact, while in 4 wheel drive, I could put the hammer down, and the truck just took off like a bat out of h...! They have performed in Beach Sand, all wet conditions, some mud, Ice and snow of all types through the Carolina's with superb results. One plus with these also is the triple guard sidewall that helps in stability and puncture resistance. Great tires. Oh, and I am not a salesman  Just a happy customer 
I think the Michelin LTX's are good also. Only complaints I have heard on them was a few folks thought their wet traction wasn't the best it could be, but I don't know that for a fact.
Now that I have the Excursion, will be putting the BF Goodrich's on it too!  |
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Scott Coats
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• Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA |
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• Registered on 1/8/2003 |
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• 84 posts |
• 1
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Posted:4/14/2003 13:35 |
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Well. Firestone sent me a letter denying my claim. They stated that the tire was operated for an "undermined period of time" underinflated. Bull.
I had the tires inspected and rotated three days prior to the failure, checked the pressure myself after the dealer was done, and there was absolutely no prior warning when the tire came apart.
I have requested the tire back and I'm going to file a small claims case against them. David and Goliath perhaps, but this is bull.
Anyone know how to locate a tire failure expert?
Scott
2001 PSD Excursion, 4" Lift, 315's on 17" Weld Evo Velocity-8 chrome wheels, 315-75-17 BFG AT/KO's, SS Westin Tube Steps, 2200 watt sound system, full pillar gauges, AFE Air Raid, DiabloSport Revolution experimental custom EEC chip (120HP) tune, 4" exhaust, clear turn/head lamps, safety brake light, oversize wipers, 2003 SuperDuty turn signal/heated power towing mirrors, billet grill, limo tint, ProComp steering stabilizer and shocks, the list goes on... |
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Dave Sullivan
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• Kitchener, XX, Canada |
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• Registered on 2/27/2003 |
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• 199 posts |
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Posted:4/17/2003 11:56 |
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Thanks for the info scott. I wonder what firestone considers Low inflation presure to be?
Good luck with your small claim.
Is it possible that you had a flat?
Seems to me that the department of transport would be interested in looking at your tire. 
Dave.
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monsta
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• The Big Island, HI, USA |
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• Registered on 1/5/2002 |
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• 1,056 posts |
• 2
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Posted:4/18/2003 03:56 |
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| Quote: | I am going to do an experiment to see how the X behaves at 60 and 65 psi. I am curious to see if the stearing vagueness lessens or disappears.
Dave. |
I have Firestones Steeltex R4SII E-range tires on mine and I run 60-65 all the way around. I've run as high as 75 in the rear when loaded and doing serious cross country mile eating driving.
My mileage is boosted a small bit but I'm beginning to notice premature wear especially on the rear drive wheel (RS). So, I lowered them to 60 all the way around.
One thing to consider about higher pressures, the steering vagueness does lessens but it may be at the expense of balljoint wear. I only have 77K on mine and all the balljoints just had to be replaced...again. (Extended Warranty)
But now that I got all new joints and a new steering box talk about NICE STEERING!!
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