So I recently put some Bilstein 5100s set @ 1.75" llif in the front and 2" blocks in the rear coupled with some new Method 305NVs and 35x12.5R18 KO2s. Ever since I have had this persistent vibration at 110kmph get worse the faster I go from there. It seems no matter who balances the tires it's the exact same result. There is a subtle steering wheel wobble that starts around 90-100kmph but never really changes depending on what tires are where.

The original shop I had do the suspension install tried numerous things including new tires. Stock set of wheels and tires = no vibration. Different wheels and 35s = no vibration. Methods and 4 new BFGs = vibration. Fuel wheels and original tires = no vibration. Their final result claimed its the wheels causing the vibration, not the tires. They supposedly put the current/original tires on a different set of wheels (fuels so they were hub centric) and said the vibration was gone.

I had them road forced at a different shop and the results said two tires were hopping. 1 showed 40lbs out of round force and another 21lbs. For tires of this size 25lbs force is apparently the cut off. End result was no change to the vibration.

Had them rebalanced at a third shop and they noted the road force shop grossly overweight the wheels and didn't see any wobble or hopping. But even after the third shop there is no change in the vibration, maybe slightly better but that could be a placebo effect. Sometimes it seems like the vibration comes and goes.

​​​​​​Could it still be the KO2s or could it really be the Method wheels. Nothing is out of round or has any runout according to 2 of the three shops. Every shop has said the KO2s are incredibly difficult to balance and have less than stellar QC. At the same time the methods are only lug centric and of a very poor and dated design with the push through center caps which prevents the use of hub centric rings. Frankly I wish i knew that before hand otherwise I wouldn't have bought them. They are just antrying to save a couple bucks by using an inferior design. Having said that the wheels would be far less likely to have balancing issues though you would think, and all of them would have to be screwed somehow. Or the lugs on my truck aren't centered which is why only hub centric wheels work .

What's everyone's thoughts? I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. The tires check out with no run-out, hop or wobble, the wheels check out but the truck vibrates. I can't keep blowing money on balances and have everyone come to the same conclusion that everything is fine. Nobody will warranty anything because there is no glaring problems and there is conflicting information. Why would method warranty the wheels if the tires could be the issue, and why would BFG warranty the tires when 4 new one did nothing. At some point I have to buy all new tires or all new wheels or both, which sicks not only from a cost perspective but the fact that I really like the wheel tire combo I have, and frankly I really don't like any other wheels and no other 35x12.5s will likely fit with our trimming.

 

You said fuel wheels stock tires were good. It's the KO2s. I had a bad set on my 16..got another set and they were fine

 

Sorry, fuel wheels and current KO2s. I didnt get to drive it though so maybe they were just saying that to get rid of me. Afterall they probably lost money after spending several days trying to figure it out.

 

Might be because the 18x9 Method NV's aren't hub-centrc?

 

Hard to say. Lots of aftermarket wheels are lug centric and typically unless you have a European or Japanese car it's not a problem. This is my quandary though, buy new wheels or buy new tires, none of the professionals can really tell me what the problem is. Most just use the catch all excuse; 35s are really hard to balance.....

 

It would take a little work, but I would move the wheels that are in the front and causing the vibration to the back and the back to the front. If the issue persisted only in the front, then I would double check the alignment. If the issue moved to the back, then you might feel the vibration in the seat of your pant when you go faster than 90 km/h.

 

No matter which is wheels are in front the steering wheel shake exists. Also, the vibration is the whole truck. Maybe it is the Methods, which is disappointing. I'm not sure what would make my truck different than so many.

 

How about bad shock, loose suspension part, steering alignment....maybe the weight of the tire is stressing something
did you try ko2 on another rim..

 

Suspension was checked over. Alignment was done, although maybe not perfect but tracks straight and centers well. Might be worth having the front suspension checked again for anything loose. Although it would kind of go against how the aftermarket set of 20s and different 35s were fine.