Nowdays tires purchase

170k on my Michelin steers and still have 8/32 switching to Michelin drives this week, if that's any help to you.

 

Where is this decline in quality?

Compared to what?

30 years ago, how long did any tire last?

20 years ago many tires barely made it to 100k.

 

The Michelin steers are a good choice. For my trucks, I have been more than satisfied with the Firestone FS591's. First set on my 2005 International 9900iX went 163k and if it wasn't for me being picky I think I could have stretched them out to 185k miles. My second set of the FS591's is currently on my 2014 International 9900i with 136k on them and I think I might get these close to 200k. This set is wearing very nice and the rock chips and off road damage is almost non-existent. They have been good to me and they have only been balanced with Counteract Balance Beads.

 

I am switching to FS591 from Michelin for steers. BFG 444 for drives, BFG highway control trailer along with recap drive and steers for trailers.

 

Michelin steers and drives are still very good. BF Goodrich drives are good too.
Lately I had excellent results with Yoko 101zl steers and Yoko 703zl drives, excellent quality and about 25% cheaper than Michelins. Just put 712L on drives, gonna test them out

 

I got FS591 on my old FLD. They are now being beat to death in the oilfield and still look great. I assumed the off roading would immediately start to ruin them.

 

Michelins are the only ones I've found that put up with speeds over 70 mph for any real amount of time. Firestones go out of round almost immediately and drive like a paint shaker.

 

I’ve had great results with the old Firestone 590’s and the newer 591’s for steers. They’re basically rebranded Bridgestones. When Bridgestone develops a new steer, I’ll probably be running their current steer, called Firestone 592. Firestone makes a nice drive too. My preference is Bridgestone, Continental, but run whatever I can get at the best price. Usually a Chinese. They’re about half the price. They almost all copy Bridgestones Lugger design. They seem to wear longer than in the past. I recently bought 4 no name Chinese drives. They’re wearing fast. Best to stay with name brands.

 

Steer axle? Michelins. There is no second choice.
Drive tires? Usually Michelin but we've had good luck with Bridgestone too.
We haven't noticed any decline in tire quality unless it's the absolute bottom of the barrel junk anyway.