The loose/tail-happy feeling isn't normal Spridget behavior. You mentioned
that you had "new" shocks on the car. If they're OE type shocks, are you
sure you got all air bled out of them before you installed them? If they're
tube shock conversions, you're wasting your money, IMHO.
Bud Osbourne
-----Original Message-----
From owner-spridgets at autox.team.net
[mailto:owner-spridgets@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of James Gruber
Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2003 11:25 AM
To: Spridgets Digest
Subject: Tire and handling question
I gave up finding a pair of 155 SR13(78 size) Metric Radials locally for
Bugsy my '68 Sprite and purchased two 155 / 80 /13 tires from local tire
store. Size wise these tire stand about 1/2-3/4" taller than the 155 SR 13's
on the front of Bugsy. Not a big difference but a difference.
Bugsy has the M*** 1/2" lowering kit installed and a stock front swaybar off
of a '76 Spridet. New shocks both front and rear. New front springs.
After installing the tires on the rear of the car I feel as if the taller
tires have increased the tendency of the car to oversteer. Pressure 24 lbs.
front, tried 24 lbs rear and have since increased to 28 lbs in the rear. Car
darts and changes direction very easily but it feels as if the rear end is
going to change directions on me and go rear end first coming out of a turn
or direction change. Now I don't have any basis of comparison as I've never
driven another Spridget. Is this typical Spridget handling characteristics?
I like the car able to change directions easily but I think I'd rather have
it point and go where I want it to go i.e. neutral handling rather than
going down the road taillights first.
P.S> Normal driving does not cause this condition, I'm talking about rather
spirited cornering. Haven't tried doing this on wet slippery streets but I'm
guessing I'd lose tire adhesion rather quickly and rear end would come
around.
Thanks in advance to all for your help and any suggestions.
Jim Gruber
Bugsy '68 Sprite (future Bugeye in disguise)
Dayton, OH
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