Faulty new tyres?

[wolfie308]

About 4 months and 800 miles ago, due to the recommendations of the learned here, I replaced my on the limit rear Contis with Falken 452's.

As most of my mileage is pootling round town, it was some time before I was aware of some unnerving behaviour. Only apparent when pressing on, particularly with sudden direction changes like rapid overtaking manouveres, the back end seems to have a frightneing oversteer tendency. First time it happened was a near incident of touching cloth!

It felt the same as if both rears were rather under inflated, so first thing I did was check they ere okay which they were - 36 all round. Increased the rears to 40, but no appreciable difference. In fact I'm so aware of it now, it's ruining my enjoyment of the car.

Spoke to Darren at RPM and took the car over Saturday. Went for test drive and my concerns were immediately obvious. Put car on ramp, thoroughly to check for anything loose or broken, but as I expected nothing out of order.

We then decided to replace all 4 wheels and tyres with an identical set of D.90's, with a pair of flakey old Dunlop SP Sport's on the front, and as luck would have it, a pair of nearly new Falken 452's on the rear.

Darren drove first, and it was apparent even as a passenger, there was a definite improvement, and driving myself, this was even more evident.

We were both left with the impression that my new Falken's didn't feel right - almost as if the side walls were weak.

I intend to go back to BlackBoots in Chesham and see what their response is. I hope we can do some kind of deal against a pair Contis which I was previously quite happy with - even the barely legal old ones were better than these Falkens.

Any thoughts or comments appreciated before I contact BlackBoots

 

[Hilux]

About 4 months and 800 miles ago, due to the recommendations of the learned here, I replaced my on the limit rear Contis with Falken 452's.

As most of my mileage is pootling round town, it was some time before I was aware of some unnerving behaviour. Only apparent when pressing on, particularly with sudden direction changes like rapid overtaking manouveres, the back end seems to have a frightneing oversteer tendency. First time it happened was a near incident of touching cloth!

It felt the same as if both rears were rather under inflated, so first thing I did was check they ere okay which they were - 36 all round. Increased the rears to 40, but no appreciable difference. In fact I'm so aware of it now, it's ruining my enjoyment of the car.

I used to run Falkens on my KWV3`d 944T, tracked them too, great tyre for the money, no problems with them at all.

33 psi all round on the road 29 on track

40 at the rear is too much, you will light them up when turning and accelerating hard.

 

[Super_Marv]

I've got Falkens on my other car (Mk4 Golf) and they took absolutely ages to run in (over 1000 miles)

I agree that 40PSI seems like far too much. Try about 34-35PSI and see how you get on.

 

[JamesBall]

I just put 452s on my car and had trouble unsticking the rear at all when our for a play in the car yesterday. Something doesn't sound right with your tyres or geometry.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

I've got the same, from Chesham as well, on your recommendation.....[8|]

Mine seem absolutely fine, but won't have done nearly the mileage yours have. Is there a batch code or anything on them? I'd guess they'll want to change them, and get the old ones tested. They seemed incredibly efficient, and enthusiastic about the car, so I can't see them being difficult about it.

 

[BlackMagic]

I vaguely recall comments on mould release agents, etc. about a year ago and the tyres taking some time to wear this off.

If all your mileage has been around town I suggest a spirited run to clean off the surface and see how you get on.

I have 452's and they hang on very well.

William

 

[mik_ok]

My last set of Goodyear F1's took around 1000 miles to bed in properly.

Are you running much camber on the rear? If so they may take a few more miles to wear to suit?

 

[wolfie308]

Thanks for the comments and suggestions chaps. Went out for a brief spin last night after dropping the pressures to 34 all round. I didn't get the opportunity for any 'spirited' driving, but the ride with the normally firm KW's appeared to be much smoother and far less bone jarring on the odd pot hole.

Can't think it's a geometry thing as this was done when the KW's were fitted. Unfortunately, I have no idea how it was set up.

Will take a trip out at lunch time and report back later. I knew these cars are sensitive to tyre pressure, so it could be that lowering them to 34 does the trick. I guess that's likely given the number of people on here with Falkens who are happy with them.

 

[Hilux]

Glad its improved.

Drop to 32/33 I`d say, it worked for me anyway with no perceptible feathering/wear to outer edges.

Also.......What settings are you running on the KW`s? Too hard on rebound and on rougher road surfaces the spring will be restricted, the car will hop and traction will be reduced.