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Re: Tire width and suspension wear

To: lars.johnsen@hd.uib.no (Lars G. Johnsen)
Subject: Re: Tire width and suspension wear
From: pwatson@ix.netcom.com (Pete Watson)
Date: Sat, 14 Sep 1996 18:57:57 -0700
Cc: triumphs@autox.team.net
Lars,
     Speaking from ancient experience...
     My first car was a Triumph Spitfire MkII.  The original wheels and 
tires on it were 5.20-13 bias-ply on 4" rims.  Over a period of a dozen 
years, I wound up with 185/70-13 radials on 6" rims.  At that point, I 
had to replace the nylon bushings between the lower A-arms and the 
uprights Every Year!
     The key factor is how much increased cornering load are you going 
to induce on a suspension which may not have been designed for it.  The 
places to watch for wear are any joints which will be placed under 
added stress, such as ball joints, tie-rod ends, pivot bushings, etc.  
The change to lower profile tires in itself will not cause suspension 
wear.  What will cause wear is added load on the components.
      So put any tires you like on it, just don't drive any faster! ;^)

     Pete

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