Tires: quietest tire for Chev Suburban, bridgestone dueler a t, suburban z71

Question
I have a 2010 Chev. Suburban Z71 4x4. It came with Bridgestone Dueler A/T tires on it. I have about 16000 miles on it now and the tires seem to be much louder than when I first bought my vehicle. Do the tires normally get louder as they get older or did I just not notice it at first. About 90% of my driving is on the highway and in town. What would be the quietest tire I could purchase for this vehicle? Thanks for your help and information, I really appreciate it.

Answer
Larry,

I think you are developing irregular wear.  Irregular wear is caused by misalignment and aggravated by insufficient inflation pressure and insufficient rotation practices.

My experience says that the published alignment tolerances are too wide.  Not the target value, but the allowable deviation from that value.  I think it ought to be half of what is published.

Put another way, the alignment should be within the inner half of the spec.

You should be aware that even vehicles that do not have a pull can be out of alignment.  There are settings where one out of spec condition is offset by another out of spec condition – typically camber vs toe.  

Also, many alignment techs think that if the factory did not make provisions to make adjustments for the alignment, then they can’t make an adjustment and will declare the vehicle “OK”.  This is totally wrong.

ALL alignment settings are adjustable, but it may require an eccentric bolt, some shims, etc.  A GOOD alignment tech will know what to do and the vehicle should leave a shop with ALL the alignment settings close to the nominal.

So I think you need to get an alignment.  You need to find an alignment tech who agrees with the above.  Ask, and if they don't, find another place.

Further, the more aggressive the tire, the more likely alignment is going to affect irregular wear.  Aggressive All Terrain tires will be the worse, and simple rib type all season tires will be the best.