stiffer sidewalls?

[Jim Ratto]

I noticed my rear tires are awfully wishy washy, in the sidewalls. I wonder if this is a symptom of every taller, high aspect-ratio tire or is there a tire which has a nice, stiffer sidewall. Just shutting the door on my car, the entire car wallows on the rear sidewalls like a dish of Jell-o.
I'm not trying to run 1.50 60 foots, I want the car to respond in corners.

[.]

I'm not sure what brand or size tire you are using, but if you can find the same size in a "light truck" tire, it will have thicker sidewalls.

[Jim Ratto]

I'm not sure what brand or size tire you are using, but if you can find the same size in a "light truck" tire, it will have thicker sidewalls.

That's an idea!

[louisb]

What size are you running?

--louis

[Jim Ratto]

What size are you running?

--louis

205/65/15 Firestone Firehawk.

[louisb]

If you were using a 70 I was going to suggest a 65 or 60. You might also look for a tire that is designed more for touring or sports driving. Perreli P4000 or something like that. One other thing you can do is to go to a wider rim or narrower tire. This pushes the sidewall out more and makes it stiffer. And I probably don't have to mention this, but make sure they are aired up to the right psi.

--louis

[Jim Ratto]

If you were using a 70 I was going to suggest a 65 or 60. You might also look for a tire that is designed more for touring or sports driving. Perreli P4000 or something like that. One other thing you can do is to go to a wider rim or narrower tire. This pushes the sidewall out more and makes it stiffer. And I probably don't have to mention this, but make sure they are aired up to the right psi.

--louis

Anybody have a preference for a sports-touring tire?
BTW i have them inflated to 34psi cold.

[Felix/DFL]

Don`t go with the Pirelli P4000, they look way to modern...
Maybe you have a talk with a fellow that drives wide-Ovals, then you will realize you car drives like heaven

Maybe the bearings of the springplates are worn out. That would even give an soft feeling in the back.
206/65 the tiresize I even want to go this season. 

[Jim Ratto]

Don`t go with the Pirelli P4000, they look way to modern...
Maybe you have a talk with a fellow that drives wide-Ovals, then you will realize you car drives like heaven

Maybe the bearings of the springplates are worn out. That would even give an soft feeling in the back.
206/65 the tiresize I even want to go this season. 

Well, I'm not as concerned with appearance as I am with responsiveness, to an extent. I have replaced all spring plate bushings with S-A-W urethane. Honestly, if you nudge the car, you can see it wiggle on sidewalls. 

I am considering maybe going for a 185-65-15 sports touring tire, maybe a Bridgestone,

I don't know.... I should see what the 356 guys are doing..... 

[Dave Galassi]

Dear Uncle Jim:

VW had the problem as well, with the Vanagons and the Eurovans.  Both were equipped with reinforced sidewall tires, the Vanagons were 185/14's (originally Michelins) and the Eurovans 205/60/15's (Continentals),  if my memory serves correct.  Continental is also currently supplying a reinforced sidewall tire for the Sprinter Vans being sold here in the states, but I don't recall the size(s).  Ask a tire rep for a reinforced sidewall 15.

I am running Continental Vanco reinforced sidewall tires on the crew cab and I believe they make all the difference.  195/70/15's, made in Germany, not here.  The U.S. built tires are generally not as well built, in my opinion.

There are options out there.

[Donny B.]

Jim I am running 195 x 65 Michelin tires.  At the time I bought them I believe I was told that they were for the 190 series Mercedes.  The side walls seem pretty flexible to me, however they seem to work very well at speed especially in the rain.  I am due to replace them soon as they have been on the car for a long time and are pretty worn.  I will be interested to see what you decide on.  I do know that the 185 x 70 is suppose to be the same height as a 165 R tire.  I had some for a while, but wore them out driving the car everywhere.  The 195 x 65 is close in height, but a little short.

[Jim Ratto]

Hi Dave and Don, thanks for the tips.

The diameter is something I need to pay attention to, as I'm running a 4.37:1 thanks for the reminder.

HUH? WHAT? DID YOU SAY SOMETHING?

[Rick Meredith]

Hi Dave and Don, thanks for the tips.

The diameter is something I need to pay attention to, as I'm running a 4.37:1 thanks for the reminder.

HUH? WHAT? DID YOU SAY SOMETHING?

Why does that car have to be so LOUD! 

[lawrence]

Jim, I have Michelin X 205/70s on the rear of my beetle and always noticed that it does the exact thing that you describe. My 6 and 3.5 inch width ercos will soon be swapped for 5.5 inch width torkers and I plan on running 195/65s in the rear which I hope will give me some needed stability.

I have my eye on these tires. H rated, nice load rating and resonably priced. I plan on running 175/65s in the front.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=ContiProContact&vehicleSearch=false&partnum=965HR5CPC&fromCompare1=yes&place=2

[louisb]

Jim,

Check out BFG comp or sport T/As. Another good option might be Yokos. I have also been hearing good things about Kuhmos as well.

--louis

[ESH]

I think Max Morley ran the 195 Pirellis on the rear of his car and though I thought they didn't look quite as good as the 205's the car seemed to handle a lot better than mine did on  205s. This is not to say it was 'on rails' as such but it was sharper on bends.

[alex d]

I run 195/65 Dunlops (I don't recall the exact model) and while the sidewalls look a bid budged (could use a wider rim probably), they don't seem to flex too much

[BeetleBug]

Jim, I have Bridgestones B390 195/65 R15 91V JZ mounted on my cookies. They are quite cheap and I think they look ok because they are not very modern looking. They are also made for light trucks and "heavy" cars.

[Felix/DFL]

those bidgestone bricks are the exactly the one`s I have now installed. They behave very well and as said don`t look to modern.

http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/158490.jpg

BUT as I have now got an 4,375 gearbox (before 4,125) I need a bigger brick in the rear. The "AUTOBAHN"  speed is just to low to eat some km`s.
Maybe I will go for 195/70 (as I know they are only made for light trucks) if the 205/65 behave so ugly as it looks like.
Best greetings...

[nicolas]

jim, i am sorry to burst your bubble, but if you don't want to dragrace and improve 60ft times, why not opt for the 'sensible' solution?

get rid off those flat4BRM's and buy some 18inch BRMs insted. lowprofile tires (something like a Subaru WRX sti tire)  grips good and wont wobble.
 

[louisb]

jim, i am sorry to burst your bubble, but if you don't want to dragrace and improve 60ft times, why not opt for the 'sensible' solution?

get rid off those flat4BRM's and buy some 18inch BRMs insted. lowprofile tires (something like a Subaru WRX sti tire)  grips good and wont wobble.
 

Or a set of 17' or 18' Porsche rims. 

--louis