KM3 Balancing Issues

[fdFifty]

Alright, I have a set of 35"x12.5" BFG KM3 tires mounted on Method 701's. I'm probably around 10k miles on these tires. Tread has worn great so far. No cupping or feathering at all. However, I cannot keep these tires balanced.

I've probably had these balanced 4-5 times already. Sometimes road force/ match balanced, other times not. Doesn't seem to make a noticeable difference either way. After a couple of these times, the tires would ride great for 100 miles or so after balancing, but the vibrations and bouncing would start again. I'd mostly feel vibration in the suspension/seat but recently I can start to feel/see it in the steering wheel.

Any ideas here? Do I just have unrealistic expectations for a mud terrain tire or is there something else going on?

A few times a year I'll take long haul road trips which often entail 10-12+ hour highway runs. A bumpy or noisy ride isn't really a problem for me. But I am worried that the balance issues will do a lot of bearing, ball joint, and rod end damage on those long hauls.

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[Jtclayton612]

I’m at 11k on mine and other than the initial balance I haven’t had them back in. They’re running great with no issues.

 

[SoCalDriver]

We got new rims and tires last year for my daughters Tacoma..we were told not to get KM3’s for this reason..it’s an ongoing issue. Hoping my 23 Rubi on order doesn’t have any issues with them..

 

[fdFifty]

I’m at 11k on mine and other than the initial balance I haven’t had them back in. They’re running great with no issues.

Any idea how much balancing weight you have on each wheel approximately?

 

[Some Random Guy]

Have you considered switching to beads? They dynamically balance, which might help with this issue. I ran beads in my 39x13.5” KM3’s and had no balance issues. My crazy heavy Hutchinson wheels may have helped mitigate though by pulling the moment of inertia inwards. I did have issues fouling valve cores though.

 

[Jtclayton612]

Any idea how much balancing weight you have on each wheel approximately?

more than some are probably comfortable with but they ride just fine so I deal with it.

Anywhere from nothing to 6oz is the heaviest.

Icon rebound pro wheels, which aren’t beadlocks but do have the screw in pins to retain the bead on the inside of the wheel, whether that made them balance weird I don’t know.

 

[jack bauer]

37 KM3 here..no issues staying in balance.

 

[fdFifty]

We got new rims and tires last year for my daughters Tacoma..we were told not to get KM3’s for this reason..it’s an ongoing issue. Hoping my 23 Rubi on order doesn’t have any issues with them..

I've heard/read this rumor while doing some research over the past year. Seems like it's got some validity for sure. Real bummer because otherwise these tires perform great. Never had any issues with my previous Ko's or Ko2's.

 

[DOOKEY]

BFG.

Found your problem.

 

[SoCalDriver]

I've heard/read this rumor while doing some research over the past year. Seems like it's got some validity for sure. Real bummer because otherwise these tires perform great. Never had any issues with my previous Ko's or Ko2's.

I agree, we have been putting them on our trucks for many years. They look good and we have always gotten great mileage out of them.

 

[fdFifty]

Have you considered switching to beads? They dynamically balance, which might help with this issue. I ran beads in my 39x13.5” KM3’s and had no balance issues. My crazy heavy Hutchinson wheels may have helped mitigate though by pulling the moment of inertia inwards. I did have issues fouling valve cores though.

I have considered running these. I've heard reports of varying success with them from friends. I'd definitely give them a go as a last resort. Do you air up and down often?

 

[azwjowner]

When you get them road force balanced, don't they tell you how much road force they were able to balance each tire to? With those numbers, you should be able to identify right away whether it's a balance issue or something else -- such as bad alignment or an axle issue -- that is causing the problem to return.

I thought it's supposed to be something like <20 pounds for each wheel.

 

[fdFifty]

Found your problem.

Got a recommendation for if I'm looking to switch it up?

 

[fdFifty]

When you get them road force balanced, don't they tell you how much road force they were able to balance each tire to? With those numbers, you should be able to identify right away whether it's a balance issue or something else -- such as bad alignment or an axle issue -- that is causing the problem to return.

It doesn't look like it has the number on my last set of paperwork. The numbers were never great. I know at one point one of the tires was near 20 lbs. I think they all fall within whatever range is deemed acceptable for that tire size and type but barely do so.

I've had these on 2 separate rigs now and it's the same thing. I feel like it's definitely something with the wheels and or tires.

 

[azwjowner]

It doesn't look like it has the number on my last set of paperwork. The numbers were never great. I know at one point one of the tires was near 20 lbs. I think they all fall within whatever range is deemed acceptable for that tire size and type but barely do so.

I've had these on 2 separate rigs now and it's the same thing. I feel like it's definitely something with the wheels and or tires.

Not normally the cause of vibration, but maybe tire pressure too high? Try 25 psi just to see if it helps. (35x12.5r17 is rated for 7,500 pounds on four tires at 25 psi, so it's fine).

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