Issues with Michelin Defender LTX MS/2

[KirkB]

Keep in mind 275mm width is overall width at the widest bulge in tire. Different 275 tires can have different tread widths (measured at the road contact area) and still have the same overall width.

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[SparkyR1t]

There is one final balancing option it is usually used on very large tires. A small packet of balancing beads are injected into the tire thru the air valve. It becomes a dynamic balance as the beads move to where they are needed as the tire rotates. Sounds strange but really works.

 

[jdog]

Thanks this is super helpful. I was going back and forth with discount tire and had scheduled an alignment/balancing with the SC. Of course it’s 6 weeks out. But I’ll try another discount tire first.
I’m Having the exact same issue after buying brand new tires. Never had any wheel shake issue with the OEM tires. Only after I got them from discount tire did I get wheel shake over 70.

 

[Jonger1150]

Defective tire or improperly balanced. Rivian recommends road force balancing.

I notice that when I hammer the acceleration I get a bit of vibration under high torque, but it gradually cleans itself up the longer I drive and do it. When the Rivian sits for 10+ hours the tires become unbalanced until broken back in again for that next drive.

Does that make sense and sound like a job for road force balancing?

 

[snowboarder777]

I recently installed Michelin Defender LTX MS/2 tires (size 275/60/R20, XL load rating) on my Gen 1 quad-motor Rivian R1S. Since the installation, I’ve been experiencing significant vibrations through the steering wheel at highway speeds. I took it back to Discount Tire, and they said the load index wasn’t high enough for what Rivian recommends for their vehicles, and they have never put them on their cars

They told me the vehicle is “perfectly balanced” and attributed the issue to the tire specifications. While they assured me that it’s safe to drive, they said there would be reduced performance which I expected due to the reduced tire width. The technician also mentioned that the dual-motor R1S models don’t have as many problems with these tires, but the quad-motor version tends to experience issues because of the higher torque output. This didn’t make much sense to me, as maintaining the same speed would require a similar amount of power from both powertrains and i was only experiencing these issues at highway speeds.

I’m wondering if I made the wrong choice with these tires and some good next steps. I’d appreciate any advice on this issue or recommendations for 20” tires that other owners have had success with on the quad-motor R1S.

I had the same issues with the defenders ltx ms2 in size 21s and had my tires installed by my independent mechanic who did the road force balance properly and got all the tires/wheels set up below 10 lbs of road force and it is now smooth as glass. DIscount tire techs are usually not experienced in road force balance and they dont spend enough time to mount the high spot of the tire to the low spot on the rims and properly give you the numbers. You need to request them to get it below 10 lbs in the front to get the vibration gone and at least below 15 lbs in the rears... I would take it to Rivian as they have that road force machine and will do it properly.

 

[LL75]

The load rating that he told you is BS. I would call them out on that. You have a lazy discount tires manager or tech at that location. Discount tires techs are not very experienced with balancing. I have the same issue with two different set of tires that they don't know how to balance. Each time, I have to bring them back.
The most recent one is I have to brought back to them on the newly installed Goodyear Wrangler AT that is Rivian's recommended. They went back in for rebalance, the found out that they are missing one ounce of weight on one wheel. Ask them to show you the Road Force Balance number as well and an experienced technician.

If they can't figure out what is going on, one of the tire is defective and you should get a refund or exchange to something else.

 

[Birdowin]

I have this problem with my Bridgestone KO/2 tires. Tire rotation made no difference. I will have to ask Les Schwab to do a road force balance on them. The vibration is very mild, can't feel it but can see it when I take my hands off the wheel.

 

[mudito]

Defective tire or improperly balanced. Rivian recommends road force balancing.

This

In my experience, my local Discount Tire does Road-force balancing but 50% of the times balance is a bit off (I had about 10 tire sets in different cars mounted and balanced there in the past 6 years or so).

I mounted the defenders (21") at my local Discount Tire and the balance was A TINY LITTLE BIT off, so I took them back and spoke with a manager who designated a specific individual to re-balance them (for free of course) and now they are 100% perfectly balanced.

I'd try rebalancing them.

 

[dleepnw]

I recently installed Michelin Defender LTX MS/2 tires (size 275/60/R20, XL load rating) on my Gen 1 quad-motor Rivian R1S. Since the installation, I’ve been experiencing significant vibrations through the steering wheel at highway speeds. I took it back to Discount Tire, and they said the load index wasn’t high enough for what Rivian recommends for their vehicles, and they have never put them on their cars

They told me the vehicle is “perfectly balanced” and attributed the issue to the tire specifications. While they assured me that it’s safe to drive, they said there would be reduced performance which I expected due to the reduced tire width. The technician also mentioned that the dual-motor R1S models don’t have as many problems with these tires, but the quad-motor version tends to experience issues because of the higher torque output. This didn’t make much sense to me, as maintaining the same speed would require a similar amount of power from both powertrains and i was only experiencing these issues at highway speeds.

I’m wondering if I made the wrong choice with these tires and some good next steps. I’d appreciate any advice on this issue or recommendations for 20” tires that other owners have had success with on the quad-motor R1S.

DT strikes again. I would never go there with my Rivian.

 

[Oldcarguy]

I have the Michelin's too. Just had them rotated and checked the balance. So far no problems.

 

[txoutdoorsman]

I have the Michelin's too. Just had them rotated and checked the balance. So far no problems.

Do you have the 21s? Where did you purchase/install?

 

[brancky3]

DT strikes again. I would never go there with my Rivian.

Totally depends on the location. I wouldn't go anywhere else, personally.

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

Sounds like a balance issue. Take it to a shop with a hunter road force elite balancer. It will cost you between $40 and $60 per wheel but will find out which wheel (I suspect one of the fronts) has an issue. It can also identify a tire that is out of round.

I had this problem on a Tesla. My shop had to send two tires back because they had defects. What I got back was a completely smooth ride.

With all that said I do recommend using the correct load rating and tire but don’t feel that would be causing your issue.

I worked at a tire shop when I was in high school for some extra $$ ?

 

[Oldcarguy]

Purchased at a Discount Tire in Tulsa Oklahoma.
They did a great job. I complemented them on their attention to detail.
The rotation and rebalance was in Edmond Oklahoma. I have put over a thousand miles on the truck since then. No problems.
Yes, I have the 21's.
I have installed the center caps.

 

[txoutdoorsman]

Purchased at a Discount Tire in Tulsa Oklahoma.
They did a great job. I complemented them on their attention to detail.
The rotation and rebalance was in Edmond Oklahoma. I have put over a thousand miles on the truck since then. No problems.
Yes, I have the 21's.
I have installed the center caps.

Awesome. That’s the same config I have. Thank you

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