NHTSA Complaint #10056485 — 2001 FORD F-250 SD

HAD TWO LT 265 75R16 (C RATED) GOODYEAR WRANGLER AT/S REPLACED ON MY F 250 DIESEL CREW CAB 4X4 LONG BED ON THE REAR BECAUSE THESE WERE THE WRONG LOAD RATING STATED IN FORD MAINTENANCE BOOK. THESE WERE REPLACED WITH THE SAME TIRE EXCEPT THEY ARE NOW E RATED. ONCE ON THE FREEWAY AND BEGAN LANE CHANGES OR LONG SWEEPING TURNS I FELT I HAD A FLAT. I WAS LOSING CONTROL OF THE TRUCK. I IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN AND LOOKED FOR A PLACE TO TURN OFF ONCE OFF THE OVER PASS. I INSPECTED THE TIRES AND THERE DID NOT APPEAR TO BE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THEM. THE FOLLOWING DAY I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT REPLACED THE TIRE AND A MECHANIC OF THEIRS TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE. HE TOO FELT THE TRUCK LOSE ITS STEERABILTY. WE WENT BACK TO THE SHOP AND HE VISUALY INSPECTED THE TIRES FOR PRESSURE, SECURITY(LUG NUTS) ETC. AND DISCUSSED IT WITH ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL(S). IT WAS HIS/THEIR OPPINION THAT I MAY NEED TO REPLACE THE FRONT TIRE BECAUSE THEY MAY NOT BE GRIPPING AS WELL AS THE REAR AND TAHT IT WHAT I AM FEELING AND I MAY ALSO NEED AN ALIGNMENT. I AGREED I WOULD HAVE THESE THINGS DONE. HOWEVER, IF THIS DOES NOT RESOLVE IT THEY WILL NOT REIMBURSE ME FOR THE ADDED EXPENSE" IT'S JUST A STARTING POINT". I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS WITH A FEW MECHANICS AND TIRE SPECIALIST HAD THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THIS. I WENT ON LINE TO RESEARCH THE PROBLEM AND FOUND ONE OTHER INDIVIDUAL WITH A VERY SIMIALAR PROBLEM ON EPINIONS.COM BRIANPETERS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. I DO KNOW THAT IT HAPPENED IMMEDIATLY AFTER TIRES WERE REPLACED(NEVER BEFORE) AND THAT IT IS VERY SCARY THINKING YOU ARE LOSING CONTROL OF YOUR STEERING. *AK