In a message dated 99-08-09 13:35:03 EDT, haldeman@accessone.com writes:
<< When
he lifted these early XVS radials off the car, he noticed how "very heavy"
they were.
HIs argument goes like this: (1) The suspension of the TR6 was designed
with the original Michelin Redlines in mind, (2) These were significantly
lighter than the heavy, early Michelin radials that are on my car, and
therefore (3) I need new, lighter radial tires at the very least---if I'm
not going to pop for a new set of Redlines.
I've been putting off paying for an alignment and (on-car) wheel balance.
Of course, I don't want to spend money on new tires, but then again, I
don't want to drive around with tires that may prematurely wear out the
suspension. How do I avoid being an idiot here? What is the effect of
heavier-than-normal tires on the suspension? >>
Phil
I'm not a mechanic, and I'm sure whoever your mechanic is, he is bound
to have more automotive knowledge than me. BUT I think he's wrong on a
couple of counts here. First off, tire technology has come a LONG way in the
past 25 years. Given almost any modern tires you can put on a TR6, if
you drive them near the limit of their adhesion, you're going to put a lot
more stress on your suspension than you ever could have with any tires
you could have put on the car 25 years ago. I usually sit on my hands every
time the "Michelin redlines are lousy tires" thread starts up. This always
cracks me up because even though they are lousy tires by our standards now,
25 years ago I tought they were damn good tires and the cornering forces you
can generate with those tires are what your TR6 suspension was designed for.
Compared to this difference, I would think any difference the weight of the
tire
would make would have to be trivial.
Secondly, I've got a stack of 4 really old Michelin redlines mounted on TR6
wheels out in the garage right now, and they are pretty damn heavy. If you can
weigh one of the wheel/tires your mechanic thinks are too heavy and let us
know, I'll go weigh one of those and lets see what the difference really is.
Cheers
Jack McGahey
King of Prussia, PA
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