Should I buy more tyres ?
Discussion
I've got a handling problem but I'm not sure the best way to fix it.
The background is that my car went in for its annual (18k) service perfectly fine. Nothing untoward was found (you know, just consumables like engine mounts needed to be replaced). However the rear tyres were found to be failing and needed replacing. So I have two new rear tyres, of a different type and pattern (correct size and spec of course, although I think the sidewalls are softer) to the fronts which are three years old.
Now my problem is that the front of the car, since the service, wanders around. A bit like you're in a cross wind all the time. It's not noticable with the weight on the rear under hard acceleration. It's worst when on a light throttle with the weight neutral, trying to drive in a straight line.
Now what do I do next ? Should I replace the front tyres as well ? Should I check the suspension out (which of course should be fine from the sevice and MOT) ? Any other ideas ?
btw I can't seem to get hold of any Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetrics in 255/35 18. What's a good tyre to get at the moment ? Are Bridgstone's any good (I liked the S02 from many a year ago).
Cheers,
Andy.
The background is that my car went in for its annual (18k) service perfectly fine. Nothing untoward was found (you know, just consumables like engine mounts needed to be replaced). However the rear tyres were found to be failing and needed replacing. So I have two new rear tyres, of a different type and pattern (correct size and spec of course, although I think the sidewalls are softer) to the fronts which are three years old.
Now my problem is that the front of the car, since the service, wanders around. A bit like you're in a cross wind all the time. It's not noticable with the weight on the rear under hard acceleration. It's worst when on a light throttle with the weight neutral, trying to drive in a straight line.
Now what do I do next ? Should I replace the front tyres as well ? Should I check the suspension out (which of course should be fine from the sevice and MOT) ? Any other ideas ?
btw I can't seem to get hold of any Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetrics in 255/35 18. What's a good tyre to get at the moment ? Are Bridgstone's any good (I liked the S02 from many a year ago).
Cheers,
Andy.
Andy
I had a similar sounding problem with mine and took it in for handling/balance etc. and was told that the tyres were the problem even thought they were still perfectly legal.
It might be worth checking the tyre pressures first and if you have adjustable suspension then you could have a play with that. Out of interest I got the exact spec Eagle tyres you can't find, on e-bay. People said I was mad but I got 4 for £425 delivered and they have been outstanding.
I had a similar sounding problem with mine and took it in for handling/balance etc. and was told that the tyres were the problem even thought they were still perfectly legal.
It might be worth checking the tyre pressures first and if you have adjustable suspension then you could have a play with that. Out of interest I got the exact spec Eagle tyres you can't find, on e-bay. People said I was mad but I got 4 for £425 delivered and they have been outstanding.
The service and MOT won't necessarily check the suspension to any great degree - it's well worth getting the geometry checked and fitting some decent shocks.
Tyres can make a big difference, but there may be more fundamental issues - poor geo and shocks will make a bigger difference.
Cheers,
FT.
Tyres can make a big difference, but there may be more fundamental issues - poor geo and shocks will make a bigger difference.
Cheers,
FT.
Hi Andy,
I dont think that this will help but I had an interesting experience when I had my shocks, geo and wheels done last year.
I had my shocks changed to GazGolds and the geometry set up.
At the time I had 16" spiders on my 2000 Tuscan but I had also ordered 18" SP12's from Silverstone.
Time dictated that I had to get the geometry and shocks done and then drive down to Silverstone for the SP12's to be fitted as we were on the way to France for a driving holiday.
The drive down to Silverstone with the new shocks and geo was terrible. Even my Wife asked me what was wrong with the car and commented that I was struggling to drive in a straight line. It was far worse than before the work.
After the SP12's were fitted the car was completely transformed. Far better than before the geo work. No more tram lining etc.
I know you have only change tyres but I wonder if they now dont suit the geo set up.
Other than that, I have seen so many people comment that you need the tyres to settle down for a few miles.
I dont think that this will help but I had an interesting experience when I had my shocks, geo and wheels done last year.
I had my shocks changed to GazGolds and the geometry set up.
At the time I had 16" spiders on my 2000 Tuscan but I had also ordered 18" SP12's from Silverstone.
Time dictated that I had to get the geometry and shocks done and then drive down to Silverstone for the SP12's to be fitted as we were on the way to France for a driving holiday.
The drive down to Silverstone with the new shocks and geo was terrible. Even my Wife asked me what was wrong with the car and commented that I was struggling to drive in a straight line. It was far worse than before the work.
After the SP12's were fitted the car was completely transformed. Far better than before the geo work. No more tram lining etc.
I know you have only change tyres but I wonder if they now dont suit the geo set up.
Other than that, I have seen so many people comment that you need the tyres to settle down for a few miles.
I've done 350 miles so the tyres should have bedded down by now. I can't believe the geo / shocks have deteriorated - they were fine before the service - the MK2 does have decent shocks in the first place compared with the Mk1 - unless the service changed the settings and did it badly of course.
So I think it's either the geo has been altered or the tyres are the problem. A quick google reveals similar problems reported with other cars when renewing the rear tyres only (e.g. BMW, Mustang).
I'm also wondering whether the rear tyre's sidewalls are two soft for the suspension - I think I read the MkII suspension was designed around the Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 which has a firmer sidewall than the new ones I have. Am I getting some wierd problem caused by more grip on the back and some movement caused by a "bouncier" rear of the car ?
So I think it's either the geo has been altered or the tyres are the problem. A quick google reveals similar problems reported with other cars when renewing the rear tyres only (e.g. BMW, Mustang).
I'm also wondering whether the rear tyre's sidewalls are two soft for the suspension - I think I read the MkII suspension was designed around the Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 which has a firmer sidewall than the new ones I have. Am I getting some wierd problem caused by more grip on the back and some movement caused by a "bouncier" rear of the car ?
Hi Andy,
When I replaced my rear Bridgestones with like for like I'm sure they were S02's and jumped straight onto the ferry it was a nightmare, anything above 70 was like driving on ice, it took around 600 miles to cure, had the shocks checked and they were ok, still on factory originals and 16" wheels, I never was one for spending money on looks and appearances, as anybody who knows me will testify. I do need the geo/4 wheel alignment set up, as I have noticed that the rear tyres are getting thin again on each of the inner rims, without looking at my profile I can't remember when I changed the rear tyres, my current mileage is approaching 21k at the moment.
edit to add just checked tyres were changed @8k miles, so 13k on them is not too bad
Best regards,
James Sim.
When I replaced my rear Bridgestones with like for like I'm sure they were S02's and jumped straight onto the ferry it was a nightmare, anything above 70 was like driving on ice, it took around 600 miles to cure, had the shocks checked and they were ok, still on factory originals and 16" wheels, I never was one for spending money on looks and appearances, as anybody who knows me will testify. I do need the geo/4 wheel alignment set up, as I have noticed that the rear tyres are getting thin again on each of the inner rims, without looking at my profile I can't remember when I changed the rear tyres, my current mileage is approaching 21k at the moment.
edit to add just checked tyres were changed @8k miles, so 13k on them is not too bad
Best regards,
James Sim.
Edited by JamesSim on Wednesday 11th June 14:35
Hi Andy
From some other threads the softer side walls of say Toyos can make a difference along with tyre pressures.Also my understanding is that the bedding in of tyres is partly down to the number of warm up and cool down cycles so if your mileage so far has been from say 2 or 3 trips this could have a bearing on the situation.
Kev
From some other threads the softer side walls of say Toyos can make a difference along with tyre pressures.Also my understanding is that the bedding in of tyres is partly down to the number of warm up and cool down cycles so if your mileage so far has been from say 2 or 3 trips this could have a bearing on the situation.
Kev
The answer is yes, as I have bought new tyres which fixed the problem.
The problem (from a person who knows things) is that the front (worn) tyres were a V-tread pattern which are less susceptible to tramlining and following the camber of the road than the (new) rear longitudinal cut pattern. So the rear of the car was moving about more than the front. It was particularly bad during the transition from hard acceleration to neutral balance as the weight comes forward.
I've replaced all four tyres now with Michelin Pilot Sport PS2s, and very good they are too! The car has regained its brilliant 4 square feel and balance.
Cheers,
Andy.
The problem (from a person who knows things) is that the front (worn) tyres were a V-tread pattern which are less susceptible to tramlining and following the camber of the road than the (new) rear longitudinal cut pattern. So the rear of the car was moving about more than the front. It was particularly bad during the transition from hard acceleration to neutral balance as the weight comes forward.
I've replaced all four tyres now with Michelin Pilot Sport PS2s, and very good they are too! The car has regained its brilliant 4 square feel and balance.
Cheers,
Andy.
The OEM fronts were Goodyear Eagle F1 DS3s which were very good on road and track. They have a V tread pattern. The new rears were Goodyear Excellence (don't ask - I wanted to drive the car away that day) which are a longitudinal pattern. I don't think there was anything wrong with the rears - maybe slightly less grippy under full acceleration than the F1s - just the combination didn't work well.
So I wanted to change the rears again anyway, so I went for the Michelins as they are readily available and a very good tyre (better than the F1 DS3s so far).
So I wanted to change the rears again anyway, so I went for the Michelins as they are readily available and a very good tyre (better than the F1 DS3s so far).
Just had the Toyo rears replaced during MOT. The new Toyo proxes have a dramatically different tread pattern with a thick band of uncut rubber on each side of the tyre. The drive is horrendous and I'm constantly correcting and over correcting. You're right, it's like being in a crosswind all the time. I'm advised that I should give them 400 miles to "bed in". Time will tell, but right now, all the fun has gone out of driving it. I've had to have the geo rejigged to compensate for the time being, until I scrub the miles off! May go to Yokohama all round. They don't last very long, but my God what grip!
YRRunner said:
Just had the Toyo rears replaced during MOT. The new Toyo proxes have a dramatically different tread pattern with a thick band of uncut rubber on each side of the tyre. The drive is horrendous and I'm constantly correcting and over correcting. You're right, it's like being in a crosswind all the time. I'm advised that I should give them 400 miles to "bed in". Time will tell, but right now, all the fun has gone out of driving it. I've had to have the geo rejigged to compensate for the time being, until I scrub the miles off! May go to Yokohama all round. They don't last very long, but my God what grip!
I have had exactly the same problem with the new Toyos. It feels like a strong cross wind or slow rear oversteer. Pretty scary after coming from a prefect set up where i could throw the car about at high speed.Message Board | Tuscan | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff