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Car Forum / UK Car Forums / Car Maintenance (UK group) / May 2008

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Tyre/handling

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Graham - 26 May 2008 15:20 GMT
I recently noticed the inside 20% of my OSF tyre was wearing faster that the
rest, so swapped it with good one. Now the tyre I put on is in much better
condition with even tread of at least 5mm and this is similar to all the
other tyres on the car. Trouble is, its now very imprecise when cornering
left and I sometimes have to correct when in a bend as its not taking the
line of the bend properly. The tyre I removed was not illegal, but I didn't
like the wear, but with that tyre the car stuck to the road like it had
evostick on the tyres.

I think I am going to swap a few tyres around, perhaps take one off the back
and try that and might even get two identical makes on the front.

Polar
(Sierra 1.8LX 1990)
Chris Bartram - 26 May 2008 17:20 GMT
> I recently noticed the inside 20% of my OSF tyre was wearing faster that the
> rest, so swapped it with good one. Now the tyre I put on is in much better
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> Polar
> (Sierra 1.8LX 1990)

I'd guess some part of the suspension is misaligned, and the original
tyre was worn to it. The 'new' tyre is probably not contacting the road
evenly.
Mike G - 26 May 2008 18:27 GMT
>I recently noticed the inside 20% of my OSF tyre was wearing
>faster that the rest, so swapped it with good one. Now the tyre
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>but I didn't like the wear, but with that tyre the car stuck to
>the road like it had evostick on the tyres.

Ideally both tyres on an axle should be the same make and type,
with similar wear. IOW the diameter should be the same.
The characteristics of a tyres from diferent manufacturers can
vary quite considerably. A different level of grip, flexibility,
slip angle etc.
Odd tyres, especially on the axle of a FWD car, can mean in
effect that the tyre on one side is fighting the tyre on the
other side. Under the stresses of cornering, acceleration and
braking etc, they are not both reacting in the same way. You are
seeing the results of such a mismatch.
Mike.
Mrcheerful - 26 May 2008 18:59 GMT
>> I recently noticed the inside 20% of my OSF tyre was wearing
>> faster that the rest, so swapped it with good one. Now the tyre
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> seeing the results of such a mismatch.
> Mike.

presumably though the car is a sierra and would be Rear Wheel Drive in his
case.

most likely is that a bush is gone, either a/r bar or tca probably, it
should be obvious on inspection, less likely but still common is a bent
strut or faulty top mount.
Mike G - 26 May 2008 19:26 GMT
>>> I recently noticed the inside 20% of my OSF tyre was wearing
>>> faster that the rest, so swapped it with good one. Now the
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
> presumably though the car is a sierra and would be Rear Wheel
> Drive in his case.

FWD or RWD the affects of odd front tyres on steering, cornering,
and braking etc would be similar

> most likely is that a bush is gone, either a/r bar or tca
> probably, it should be obvious on inspection, less likely but
> still common is a bent strut or faulty top mount.

That could certainly be a cause of the uneven tyre wear, but I
don't think it's the cause of his imprecise steering problem.
Mike.
Mrcheerful - 26 May 2008 22:40 GMT
>>>> I recently noticed the inside 20% of my OSF tyre was wearing
>>>> faster that the rest, so swapped it with good one. Now the
[quoted text clipped - 39 lines]
> don't think it's the cause of his imprecise steering problem.
> Mike.

IME the effects of different sizes and types of tyres on each side make
little difference to the handling of a car as far as the average driver is
concerned.  Yes, it makes a difference when you try harder, but ordinarily,
no.

something with play or a flat tyre will make a big difference.

it could even be a track rod end with play, but a TCA is a pretty common
problem on a sierra and would fit with the tyre wear
Dave Baker - 26 May 2008 22:48 GMT
> IME the effects of different sizes and types of tyres on each side make
> little difference to the handling of a car as far as the average driver is
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> it could even be a track rod end with play, but a TCA is a pretty common
> problem on a sierra and would fit with the tyre wear

No one has mentioned the obvious which is that he's replaced a decent
quality worn tyre with a remould or crap tyre made in Itchifanni with more
tread but no grip. The suspension problem which has scrubbed the tread off
the first tyre obviously still needs to be addressed.
Signature

Dave Baker
Puma Race Engines

Mike G - 26 May 2008 23:10 GMT
>> IME the effects of different sizes and types of tyres on each
>> side make little difference to the handling of a car as far as
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> decent quality worn tyre with a remould or crap tyre made in
> Itchifanni with more tread but no grip.

I think you'll find my first post covered that point.

The suspension problem which has scrubbed the tread off
> the first tyre obviously still needs to be addressed.

And my 2nd post made a similar point about the uneven tyre wear.
Mike.
Ben C - 26 May 2008 23:59 GMT
>> IME the effects of different sizes and types of tyres on each side make
>> little difference to the handling of a car as far as the average driver is
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> tread but no grip. The suspension problem which has scrubbed the tread off
> the first tyre obviously still needs to be addressed.

IME a bent or loose suspension link causes much more noticeable steering
defects, especially at low speeds.

Once he's got that fixed I would recommend decent tyres that are matched
across axles anyway-- even if you don't plan on driving fast it's safer
for accident near-misses.
Graham - 27 May 2008 18:41 GMT
I have not yet had a chance to drag the trolley jack out change the tyres
around what with the bad weather, but have had a look at all the tyres and
found two are identical and intend to put both of these on the front.

At the moment, the identical tyres are on the front off side (the one I
swapped) and the rear off side. None of the tyres are top brand names. The
identical pair are Toyo 185/65 R14 86T. So I presume not that budget as
rated to118MPH (standard is R 106MPH for my Sierra 1.8LX 1990). The other
two are both of Russian origin. Both say 185/65 R14, but no three digit
weight/speed rating number that I can find. Since looking into this in
detail, I am getting slightly concerned about both those tyres. The tread is
like new and I didn't give them a second look apart from an occasional check
for wear. The handling was so good and so didn't prompt futher
investigation. However, if handling returns to normal, I think I'll be happy
with them on the back. There is a big difference in the look of the tread of
both the front tyres as it stands at the moment and I suspect this is not
helping and got high hopes putting identical tyres on front will cure the
handling problems.

I understand all that has been said about the uneven wear on the old tyre I
replaced and that it may be due to the Track Control Arm or a worn bush, but
I do a very small amount of miles and it will take a long time to wear the
replacement tyre and must be remembered handling was superb before the tyre
swap. Its not been bashed up kerbs or any mistreatment. Track rod ends are
ok as I know how they feel when worn. There is not any play in steering or
wandering and it drives perfectly straight. Just, since changing the tyre,
it can loose the line of a corner once in a while. Its only when cornering
left at speed where it will loose the line of the corner and needs
correcting (dry road). All of my driving is either motorway or fast A roads
(A11/M11). Sometimes on motorway when changing lanes left, it feels the same
as struggling with cross winds when over 75.

Anyway, I'll swap the tyres and report back.

Thanks for everyone's thoughts and opinions about this.
Graham
 
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