Bridgestone Dueler APT III

[silverado1128]

Gentleman,

 

I recently installed a set of Ford keys to level my truck, and to have greater clearance to install a set of 285x75x16 tires. I also installed a set of (4) Rancho RS 9000X shocks. I realy like the look and ride quality of the truck after the installs.

 

I have at least one finger spacing between bump stop and controll arm. I set the front shocks to #6 and the rear to #7 ( I have a cap and carry a small load).

 

I noticed that the front tires were extremely worn, espically on outside edges, and had high and low spots, passanger side front had cords showing. Rears also were worn, tires were OEM P metric Bridgestone Dueler AT's. I did not watch tire pressure or rotate tires properly so only got 35K miles out of them and feel that was mostly due to my lack of proper maintenance. Looks like I needed an alignment also.

 

So I was under pressure to find a local retailer that had / or could get a set of 285's ASAP. As I use the truck in my daily business.

 

My local sears had a set of Bridgestone Dueler APT III's in stock and said they could take me imediately, so I bought the tires today.

 

Unfortunately after I got home while I was surfing the WEB I found a web site with an article about a law suite involving Sears and Bridgestone Firestone and an individuals estate/family. If I knew how I would have posted a link to the article.

 

The article stated that Sears and Bridgestone lost a case to the tune of 29 million dollars, after Sears auto had performed a faulty puncture repair that subsaquently caused the driver to loose controll and die in the resulting crash. The article further said the Jurry found or believed there were design flaws in the Dueler APT tire and awarded such a large amount to get sears to acknowledge the problem and correct it, it further said that Sears supposedly no longer carried the tire?

 

I'm extremely concerened and dissapointed as I just spent $800.00 for (4) tires, valve stems, EPA tire disposal, mounting, lifetime balancing and rotation, road hazard coverage, tax,and an alignment, for a tire that has doccumented problems with throwing belts and causing loss of control. Espically since most of my driving is higher speed interstate travel. For $100.00 more I could have had the same package with Revo's from my local Firestone dealer.

 

Would I be justified in calling the Sears Auto manager tommorrow and expressing my concerns, and asking for satisfaction? , I did not like their other (2) in stock choices. I think they had an obligation to disclose the legal and design problems with this product, more over they had two other choices in the 285's, and steered me to the dueler's.

 

If I cant't get satisfaction, would I be justified in calling my credit card company and disputing the charges until a comprimise between myself and sears can be reached?

 

Anyone else heard anything good or bad about these tires?

At this point my wife and I are very concerened.

 

Any constructive advice or opinions would be appreciated.

 

Thank you.

[Wingnut]

I wouldn't worry a bit....Other than why your tires are wearing funny.

 

 

As for them coming apart, that was the Fireston Wilderness wasn't it?

 

Anyway, in my opinion, if a tire comes apart the only real reason for loss of control is coming from behind the wheel. The steering wheel. I've had one come apart at 75 mph on the front of my 89 pickup...I shut it down just fine in heavy SoCal traffic.

 

I've also lost 3 tires at the same time going 45 on gravel. Other than the tires, the only thing damaged was my pocketbook.

 

 

.02

[silverado1128]

I wouldn't worry a bit....Other than why your tires are wearing funny.

 

 

As for them coming apart, that was the Fireston Wilderness wasn't it?

 

Anyway, in my opinion, if a tire comes apart the only real reason for loss of control is coming from behind the wheel. The steering wheel. I've had one come apart at 75 mph on the front of my 89 pickup...I shut it down just fine in heavy SoCal traffic.

 

I've also lost 3 tires at the same time going 45 on gravel. Other than the tires, the only thing damaged was my pocketbook.

 

 

.02

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the input, and sharing your experiances.

 

This particular article was on the Dueler APT recently, I'll try and add the link.

The problem with the other Firestone tire models was a year or two ago,

several hundred people were involved in that issue.