Community Forums

**Petro** · 05-10-2005, 03:19 PM

I recently purchased a used 2003 Chieftain on a W22 chassis. It had 13000 miles on it. I have a shake in the front end at about 45 Mph. I was going to have the front tires balanced but the shop told me I have a flat spot on each front tire. The previous owner full timed it for a little over 2 years. Will a tire that sits a lot of time develop a flat spot that will not straighten out after driving for awhile? They are Michelin XRV 22". The shop told me he has seen this before and did not think it would straighten out. He suggested I try and rotate with the outside rear duals. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Don

**Petro** · 05-10-2005, 03:19 PM

I recently purchased a used 2003 Chieftain on a W22 chassis. It had 13000 miles on it. I have a shake in the front end at about 45 Mph. I was going to have the front tires balanced but the shop told me I have a flat spot on each front tire. The previous owner full timed it for a little over 2 years. Will a tire that sits a lot of time develop a flat spot that will not straighten out after driving for awhile? They are Michelin XRV 22". The shop told me he has seen this before and did not think it would straighten out. He suggested I try and rotate with the outside rear duals. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Don

05-10-2005, 08:18 PM

....have them trued and balanced....geofkaye

Tom and Patty · 05-10-2005, 09:44 PM

Don,

Does the coach have ABS? Are the "flat" spots visible to your eye or able to be felt? Is there only one flat spot as you run your hand around the tread?
It would be best to dismount the tires and inspect the inside of the tire for bubbles in the liner. If bubbles (air pockets) are visible the tires need to be replaced.
Truing and balancing would be a mistake without a dismounted inspection.
I suspect the tires maybe coming apart, but only a dismount and inspection will answer that. I would invest in an inspection before doing anything else.
If the inspection is good put them on the rear duals and REVERSE the direction of rotation.
Better to error on the side of safety.

05-11-2005, 03:49 AM

Don,

Tom & Patty were right on, I would add one more thing to do first, call Michelin Tire Company in South Carolina and talk to customer service manager...

Tomcat F15

**Petro** · 05-11-2005, 01:14 PM

Thanks Everybody for your replys.

The coach does have ABS brakes. There is a recall on the brakes. The parts are on order but not in yet. I am not aware of any apparent brake problems. I can not visually notice any flat spot. I can only find it by placing an object next to the jacked up wheel and spinning it. I measured the tread depth and have 12/32 evenly on both front tires. They appear to have been balanced as I see new weights on the wheels. They do not shimmy at higher speeds. Basicly at around 45 mph.

Don

Tom and Patty · 05-11-2005, 07:02 PM

Don,

Have the tires dismounted and visually inspected on the inside. Our coach had only 20K on it when we bought it last year, about 5k a year. No flat spots. I don't buy a flat spot caused by sitting too long. Are you sure its both tires? Does the wheel wobble slightly at low speed?

full-timer · 05-14-2005, 04:18 AM

I had flat spots on the front tires of an older motor once. Of course I put the flat spots on them myself when I had to stop all of a sudden. The front brakes locked up and I really smoked those tires. Maybe the previous owner had the same problem?
Joe

An Indian and a Gypsy

Gary RVRoamer · 05-14-2005, 04:49 PM

Sitting won't put a flat spot on the tires and even if it did, it would not be permanent. A few rolling miles would flex the tire enough to smooth it right out.

Flat spots come from a skid (which really should not happen with the ABS on the W22) or from an out-of-balance or out of alignment condition. Usually the out of balance/alignment causes multiple flat spots, a phenomena sometimes called scalloping because of the pattern of flat spots around the tire.

The brake recall has to do with a the brake calipers failing to retract properly and causing the brake to drag. I suppose it is possible the front brakes overheated enough to size the brake and skid the wheel, but to have it happen on both front wheels seems an unlikely coincidence.

You can move the tires to the rear to avoid the reaction in your steering wheel, but they will still be noisy as the flat spot "slaps" at each revoltion of the tire. It should also be balance the tire, even with the flat spot, but I would stil move them to the rear.