Wheels & Tyres

[budaholic]

I bought 2 Falken FK451 from www.mytyres.co.uk a while back and i've just been to my local Protyre to get 'em fitted.
Fitter, who's name coincidentally was Trevor, showed me the inside edge of my rims. They're a bit corroded with flaking and pealing paint. He was surprised they weren't leaking!
He cleaned them up a bit but suggested I get them refurbed soon.

Are they likely to leak now then, with the tyre making contact with the bare aluminium?

How many miles does it usually take to wear off the 'new tyre' slippery feel? Can I speed this process up?

And, how much pressure do others put in their rears, with 17" Falkens? I know some of you use 'em! I've put 25psi for now

Bud

>> Edited by budaholic on Friday 20th May 18:14

[S-X-S]

Wheels and tyres - thats the one area you never take a chance on, if the wheels need refurbishment - do it, or better yet, get a new one.

25 psi sounds ok, there was a test recently where they overinflated a number of brand tyres, Michi's + Bridgestones won the trophy for holding together... I'll dig up the link, I dont think falkens were in the test though... but toyo's were the first ones to blow!

[Steve_T]

My handbook says 22 front, 24 rear, I follow this currently as I haven't heard different. I'm running on Goodyear GSD3's. I've just had my wheels refurbed in anthracite, just waiting to collect her from the garage when the rest of the list is done. I'll post some pics up next week.

Cheers,

Steve.

[Tripps]

Steve_T said:

My handbook says 22 front, 24 rear,

I was told by Dream Machines at the pre Le Mans checks a few weeks ago that 28psi all round is the new advised pressure for 18" spiders now.

Since running this pressure, turn-in is improved, although is does feel a little edgy too.

[Steve_T]

Indeed Rob, but I'm on 17s and so's the original poster.

Cheers,

Steve.

>> Edited by Steve_T on Saturday 21st May 00:45

[S-X-S]

The pressure is supposed to be set accordingly to atmospheric and road conditions. High will make the low profiles too rigid for wet and cold use, resulting in very snappy handling. Low will create some handling characteristics you might not like, but with the added advantage of some play before snapping. Medium will be just fine.

What is high, low and medium... different pressures for different tyres, depending on sizes and design of tyre and then your driving style.

Fine tuning to your own driving style is the best way.
But rule of thumb is dont go below 22 and dont go above 26 on low profiles on the cerbie. Softer tyres might need a little more psi. Heavier cars usually run 30-32psi on the same size tyres.

>> Edited by S-X-S on Saturday 21st May 01:25

[gazzab]

I agree with Ash - I found 26 all round perfect on 18s. On 17s I am using 22 / 24. BUT when off to Le Mans with a very full boot plus passenger plus some high speed touring then I will go for higher settings MAYBE as high as 28.

[Tripps]

Steve_T said:

Indeed Rob, but I'm on 17s and so's the original poster.

Sorry missed my point (lot of wine last night!), in that mine were in the manual as 22/24 too, so perhaps TVR have new recommended pressures for 17" also.

[Steve_T]

Sounds pretty likely. Useful info.

Cheers,

Steve.

[philcerbera]

Hi Steve

I'd like to see your refurbished wheels.

I've kept the original wheels on mine and considering a refurb rather than replacement for spiders. Can you provide costs for your refurb?

[budaholic]

Thanks for your comments guys.....

Protyre said they can refurb them... They don't do it themselves, they send 'em somewhere else! Takes 3 days apparently. Quoted me £45 + VAT per wheel.
This sounds reasonable to me, they do remove the tyres and refurb the wheel completely, not just the face.

Still gonna wait while to see if they leak any air.

Bud

[Steve_T]

I was quoted similar prices - ~£50 a wheel. I'll post some pics when I get the car back next week.

Cheers,

Steve.

[gbbird]

Steve_T said:

Indeed Rob, but I'm on 17s and so's the original poster. Cheers, Steve. >> Edited by Steve_T on Saturday 21st May 00:45

I go on 26 all round on my 17", with no probs to date

[alderley]

Steve_T said:

My handbook says 22 front, 24 rear, I follow this currently as I haven't heard different.

My handbook adds 'For performance technique driving days, increase the tyre pressures to 28 psi all round'. It also says increase by 3 psi all round for 'sustained high speed or fully laden'.