Is slight steering wheel vibration normal with AT tires?

Just an update that my shimmy, which was always intermittent, has become even less frequent as I’ve put miles on my Pirelli Scorpion ATs. Also, this will make folks laugh, but I’ve got a hypothesis that I’ve been putting into practice that may be the real reason for this improvement.

Hypothesis is that I can force the vibration that causes the shimmy to express itself in some other component(s) below the steering wheel — whether that’s along the steering shaft, in the rack, in the suspension or somewhere else. So, when the shimmy starts I literally grip the wheel tight enough to stop it, reasoning (go ahead, laugh!) that I can force some other component to start expressing that vibration instead.

Important to note perhaps that my shimmy is nowhere near severe, just been annoying when it does crop up. So I have no concern I’m causing some kind of serious problem with this technique. And yes, wheel balance is obv the best solution, but like others I have done mine three times inc RoadForce and none of them banished the shimmy 100% of the time.

Time will tell, but don’t knock it til you try it!

 

I cant take this, had a shim with the duratracs after rotation, shop couldn't balance, replaced those front 2, same shimy at highways speed, tried balance still problems, put those 2 on the back shimmy gone. Shop says its the duratracs, lets replace all 4 with coopers, the problem continues, tried rebalancing multiple times, problem starts at 58mph+, they have the road force elite, flange etc. I don't know what to do...anyone? yes next week different shop.

 

I have an ORP with 1550 miles on it. Had a slight shimmy with factory Dueler HTs at 62-65 mph when tires cold. Just installed Goodyear UltraTerrains with a lot more tread and weigh 44 lbs vs 39 lbs. Discount Tire did a road force balance and they are smooth as butter up to 80 mph (have not driven faster). And these UltraTerrians are as quiet as the factory highway tires. I was actually expecting worse results. Could not be happier. Truck is otherwise stock, no lift and no suspension mods.

 

After replacing my KO2s with Falken Wildpeaks 6 months ago, balancing has been no issue. No more shimmies at all. Wild peaks are a bit heavier than the KO2s. Not sure if that makes a difference...?