Fordnatics List Archive

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Mail From: Eugene Y C Chu <(email redacted)>

Hi Folks,

On the topic of tires, I recently switched to my all season tires from the
standard Skatorbacks, and found some intersting behaviours. When I
first put the all season tires (215/65/15 Michelin XGT-V4 or something like
that), I seemed to feel that they were somewhat more responsive than the
tired Skatorbacks. I switched them back to see if I was imagining
things, but I confirmed it: On the Skatorbacks, if I turned the wheel
any appreciable amount at any speed above 40 mph, as in trying to avoid
lane mergers who don't like to watch where they're going, I noticed that
the car takes almost 1/4 second to actually change directions. During
this time, I feel as if nothing has happened, so my natural response is
to turn harder. So, when the tires finally respond, it forces the car
to turn farther than I had originally intended, and I'd have to correct
the motion, so the car looks like it's wobbling a little. With the
Michelins (much newer tires), I don't sense that delay, so I can more
precisely point the car where I want it to go, and there's a lot less of
that "wobbling".

Has anyone else experienced this with the Gatorbacks? Is this possibly
the result of the tires being too tired, and the carcass weakening with
age and usage?

eyc

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Mail From: (email redacted) (Tom Stangler)

Eugene Y C Chu stroked the keyboard.....
= Has anyone else experienced this with the Gatorbacks? Is this possibly
= the result of the tires being too tired, and the carcass weakening with
= age and usage?

If I understand all the tire seminars I attended...its construction.
Using the BFG's as an example, their sidewalls are stiffer, reducing
the deflection, making them more responsive to steering inputs.
the skatorbacks are old tech tires. your michs are probably newer
tech.
some rubber hardness and compounding plays into it also,
but mostly construction styles.
- --
****************************************************************************
Tom Stangler | 86 Mustang GT, C/P Tidewater Sports Car Club, LTD
QC Mngr, TRACOR | the Thunder class (email redacted)
Va Beach, VA | Winter 4 Autox series. Event #3, 1/15 @ Fentress
(email redacted) | Autocross till ya drop! or your tires cord.........