Tire options for better ride? 17 in wheels.
 

We are in need of new tires for our 2004 Pacifica. The ride is not terrific and we are looking for some input on tire choices that will give a better ride. We have the 17 inch chrome wheel upgrade.

Hi,
I have run two sets of the BF Goodrich "club" tire from Sam's and have been very pleased - Olds Intrigue and Ford Windstar van. The Olds had the OEM Goodyear tires with about 1/3 tread life left. I was trying to track down a vibration/noise in the driveline. I suspected brakes, bearings etc. Turned out to be the tires. I put the BF's on and it was a new machine. My tastes in tires are tested mostly by highway ride and noise. I was very pleased on both accounts and on both cars for the price. Looks like my local Sam's is running them at $129 for a 235/65/17 and they have a $60 instant rebate through October on the Goodrich's. If you have a little more cash to spend I have also never been disappointed with any Michelin I have owned.

Yokohama 520 tires
 

Hi, I also have an 04 PAC with the 17" chrome wheels, last Nov. I bought a set of Yokohama 520, they have been an excellent tire, no problems and very quiet. FYI...Have the front stabilizer links checked, I had to replace both on my PAC, if they are even worn a little the road noise transfers into the body through the strut assembly, the noise is similar to a bad wheel bearing, just not as loud.
When I first bought this PAC (used) it had a slight vibration at highway speed and only when cornering to the left...that was when I first found out about the stabilizer link problem, I changed them and no vibration or road noise transfer since.

I Also really liked the Yokohama 520 series tire. I had them on both of my volvos previous to my pac. and found very good tread wear, quiet, good road feel, and outstanding tranction in all seasons!, both my cars were fwd only and I live in West Michigan. and they are great in the snow of all types. word of advice though inflate by the Tire rating not the door jam. yokohmas are a 44psi max tire, and I found the best tread life and ride comfort, I kept mine at 38 psi and they were great. (imo)

Hey Flamingo,
How are those Yokohama 520 holding up? I have an 05 Pac that at 51000 miles I put Triple tread Assurance on and now I have 89000 miles, had a low tire yesterday and went to Discount Tire and they said they need to be replaced. They recomended the Yokohama 520 but on there website the reviews where horrible. How many mile do you have on yours and how is the road noise?

Thanks for your help

Yokohama 520's
 

Sorry phillips1114 for the delayed response,

I have only put 30,000km on the 520's, they still look great and are still quiet. The PAC is kept in a heated garage most of the time, I did notice that when it was left outside on cold days -35c that the ride has a slight bump for about a 1km.
The biggest thing I have found with the PAC's and road noise is, if the stabilizer links are worn...even a little, you will get road noise that sounds like a bad wheel bearing...I have read many reviews about tire noise on the Pacifica and I am not convinced that in many cases the tires are the problem, worn suspension components are most likely the culprit.
For your own safety and others on the highway, please maintain your suspension.

I just had the 520's put on and OMG no road noise. I did check the outer tie rods and the seem to have a little play in them. So this weekends project is to replace both tie rods and both sway bar links, then I will get it realigned. Thanks for the info.