Thread: 18" D697 noise

Just done Perth-Melbourne-Perth on D697s.

Fitted at 85,000km. Still going strong at 137,000km. Was hoping to get 70k kms so looks achievable. Run at 38psi and rotate regularly.

Noise was a great improvement over the OEM Wranglers when fitted.

Not showing any chips or damage also from the various off road work.

With a rack on top the noise of that over 100kmh outweighs anything else anyway.

On the Nullarbor run I found a big noise difference between 100 & 110.

I noticed also that no one pays any attention to aerodynamics of equipment in the roof rack. Suggest it matters little under 100kmh.

We moved from the OE 19" Goodyear to the D697 and are currently towing the camper around Eyre Peninsula. So plenty of on and off bitumen. No discernible difference in my view but suspect quieter

Rob

Thanks all. Good feedback on noise.

I also wanted to ask about experiences with sidewall damage or issues offroad?

Thanks!

None. Not a mark

I ran a set down to pretty close to worn. Did go through some rough terrain and rocks on a few occasions. Never suffered any major sidewall damage. Had one flat from a Tek screw through the tread when tread pretty worn & low so can't blame tyre for that. Rear tyres suffered from stone chip damage from stones flung by fronts but held up to this really well I thought considering the abuse. I'm currently running KO2s which I am happy with but will be putting the D697s in the mix for the next tyre decision.

Scott

Originally Posted by LRD414

I ran a set down to pretty close to worn. Did go through some rough terrain and rocks on a few occasions. Never suffered any major sidewall damage. Had one flat from a Tek screw through the tread when tread pretty worn & low so can't blame tyre for that. Rear tyres suffered from stone chip damage from stones flung by fronts but held up to this really well I thought considering the abuse. I'm currently running KO2s which I am happy with but will be putting the D697s in the mix for the next tyre decision.

Scott

Have you had the KO2's long enough to compare them with the D697's?

Noise difference?

What size do you run?

thanks in advance.

I have been hanging off replacing my KO's that are absolutely shot,so need to do something soon.May go back to 18's.

Scott, any Tram-tracking with the KOs?

Originally Posted by scarry

Have you had the KO2's long enough to compare them with the D697's?
Noise difference?
What size do you run?

Originally Posted by Tombie

Scott, any Tram-tracking with the KOs?

I run 265/60/R18 and still have one D697 as the spare.
I haven't had the KO2s long enough for a complete/full comparison (~8k km) across all my usage types (city/highway/4WD track/outback roads/beach)

The KO2s are noisier from new until the D697s get fairly worn and then they make a similar noise too.
It's a typical harmonic type hum at 50-60 kph especially on coasting.
I don't find it annoying or intrusive from either tyre but it is there.

Both tyres have excellent manners on bitumen, both highway driving and city driving. I haven't experienced any tram-tracking.

Offroad. I haven't had the KO2s on for outback touring yet but am hopeful we will get a trip in this year.
This will be a very interesting comparison I think because the D697s really excelled for touring, although I didn't get the same life as others report.

However, I have done a few 4WD'ing trips and used the KO2s on a range of track terrains from scrabbly to rocky to sandy and a little bit of mud.
The KO2s traction in all these situations has been very impressive and I think better than the D697s although I'd say that's still a bit subjective at this stage.
They have handled some pretty sharp rocky sections with barely a mark, which the D697s did as well.

There was a $150/tyre cost difference when I was looking so that is something else that comes in to play.

While I was happy with the 697s the only way to really compare is to do it yourself and I didn't want to die wondering.
If the KO2s handle outback touring like the D697s then they will probably get the overall win due to offering better traction in scrabbly situations.

Cheers,
Scott