Hello. I have a 2000 1500 Z 71 Silverado. I bought new Lee Ridge Runner tires. LT265/75R 16. The P.S.I. rating on the tire states 65 (cold). I am getting conflicting information as to what pressure I should keep them at (highway use). The shop that installed them said 65, every other tire dealer I asked said 35. Why such diversity in what seems like a standard question? Now, after a few month at 65, I am starting to notice over-inflation tire wear and constantly have to add pressure (reseating the tires and valve stem replacement has be done twice so far!). What is the SAFE and ACCURATE rating for theses tires? I am pissed that I may have been riding on tires at an unsafe P.S.I. and I damaged them. Thank you.  

This might help a bit, Alex Steele (the guy that anwsers Q&A topics in our "Truck Trend Garage" Sent me this story that is very similar to yours... hopes this helps...


I have a 2005 Ford F-250 Super-Duty, 4x4, crew cab, short bed, Power Stroke diesel, automatic transmission, purchased new. Problem: when you hit a bump, manhole, pothole or any uneven pavement with one wheel, right or left, there is a serious feedback in the steering wheel. My dealer could find nothing wrong, and later, Ford issued a service bulletin. After taking it in for the necessary upgrades including a new steering wheel and I don't know what else, there was no visible difference in the feedback. After repeated trips back to the dealer, who has been very cooperative, they continued to tighten the steering gear until the truck became undriveable. I returned it once again and they loosened the gear back up and made it driveable, but the feedback is still there and is unsatisfactory and discomforting to drive. HELP! Michael


And this is what was told to him:


That’s a surprising question after the ride, handling and maneuverability improvements provided by suspension upgrades to the ’05 Super Duty. Ford did away with the front leaf-springs, replacing them with a coil spring layout and superior steering configuration, on both 4x2 and 4x4 models. I ran your steering feedback complaint by TT Editor Mark Williams—at the time he was road-testing the new ’05 Harley F-250 4x4 Crew Cab. Mark didn’t notice any abnormal reply from the road at the steering wheel, after pounding away at several LA potholes. But he did comment on classic 3/4-ton truck reaction from impact, perhaps amplified by a lack of cargo load. Technical Service Bulletin 04-26-1 gives step by step instructions for evaluating and correcting “steering wheel oscillation over bumps” on certain ’05 Super Duty trucks. Part of the procedure is replacing the steering wheel, inspecting the steering damper and adjusting the steering gear (box). First and foremost is checking the tire pressure. Double check the pressure yourself just to be sure. Too many people set air pressure at the tire’s maximum limit printed on the sidewall. You should adhere to the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressures printed on the tag within the driver’s door jam, fuel door, or glove box (always check pressure cold). Ford engineers calculate these numbers to provide optimum ride, handling, tire wear and safety, even while carrying a maximum-rated cargo load. Higher pressures may give you a stiffer ride with steering feedback. You may also want to drive a similar truck to be sure you’re not experiencing a currently normal ride characteristic. After that, be sure the technicians executed every phase of the TSB. They should also be discussing the problem with Ford Technical Assistance. I’ll keep my eye out for any future service bulletins related to the condition.