Best All Weather Tires for 1999 4 Runner had a Michelin Defender issue

Hi all,

I purchased 4 Michelin defender LTX M/S 265/70/R16 (112T SL OWL-not sure what this means) for my 1999 4runner. I have always used the defenders but I bought a pair in April 2019 and after they put them on the car was vibrating terribly and was incredibly loud once I hit 60 mph marker. I spoke to the tech and Discount Tire and they said they can initially feel like that and to wear them a little. Well, then COVID later hit and I never got back to returning them or using my car much. Fast forward to 2021 -2 years out-and I had the tires balanced using the Road Force balanced and still the vibration is nuts. Discount Tire offered to replace the tires with the Goodyear Wrangler Fortititude HT but they don’t have a very good rating. I could potentially replace with another set of Michelin Defenders but wondering if these tires have gone to the pots or if I just got lemons or something. I had Michelin defenders on the car before replacing them and have never had a problem before. What would you all do? Could you recommend another equivalent all weather tire that drives smoothly-I mostly drive around town and on the highway and take trips upstate to visit family during the winter. Presently in NC. Any input you all could provide would be great! Thank you

 

I would just swap them for the same and see how it feels. Welcome to the forum.

 

Slug, do you know anything about the Continental Terrain Contact HT tires?

 

Welcome, I’ve run the Conti Terrain contact AT and they were excellent on the highway and in snow. 60k rating and not too expensive. Would recommend.

 

I had them on a different vehicle, and they were great.

 

Well, I changed out my tires to the Continental Terrain contact HT and I still have the darn vibration. Either they are making these tires differently than in the past and the fit is not as good or there is something wrong with my car. Given that my car didnt shake prior to getting my 1st set of new tires I am hesitant to think it’s my car. Taking it to toyota tomorrow to see if there is a Vet there that can figure this out.

 

2 sets of new tires and the same vibration persists. Perhaps the vibration is coming from the driveline? Just thinking out loud.