Tire Question

[kihale]

Have a 1964 Landau that I bought a few months ago and am trying to work out a rhythmic shimmy in the front end and want to start by replacing the old (and cracked) tires. Have been told by a few people that I need to stick with the old poly tires because steel belted radials stress the rims different and could crack a rim under certain conditions. Any truth to this??

[tbird5866]

Most all Flairbird owners are running radial tires with no problems..

[boaterbob]

I've had Radials on my 66 for years. No problems so far.

[kihale]

Thanks, guess I'll put radails on it

[t-bird-art]

2 things: Radial sidewalls flex much more than the original tires. The "little grippers" on the wheel covers need to be bent so wheel cover really grip tight. If the wheelcover is damaged even slightly the wheelcover will still come off. In that case, I put " Plastic Dip: on all the little grippers. Have neve had a wheelcover come off after using the Plastic Dip. Item 2: With a new car, you or a mechanic should give it a good going over to see whats-what safety wise. With a "wobble" I would jack up each front wheel (don't use bumper jack- use floor jack) and grab tire at 12 o"clock and 6 o'clock and give it a heafty shake to see any movement in the wheel ( This tests Upper & Lower Ball Joints ) . Repeat heafty shake gripping the tire at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock. ( This tests inner/outer tie rod ends + idler arm ). ANY slop discoved needs to be repaired . What feels like minor wobble is in fact major stress on the worn out suspension parts.

[boaterbob]

Thanks for the plastic dip trick. But what exactly is it so i can get some?

[t-bird-art]

"Plastic Dip" is the actual commercial name. It's just liquid plastic . Found in Builders Square and some other hardward / paint stores.