Date:         Mon, 13 Sep 2004 14:47:03 -0500
Reply-To:     Jim Felder <felder@KNOLOGY.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jim Felder <felder@KNOLOGY.NET>
Subject:      What a difference a tire makes on a Westy
In-Reply-To:  <005701c499c1$b65a0ff0$0696d618@valuednhy9uatp>
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I've been driving my westy with the tired old michelins that the PO put
on it. Not trusting either the age or the load range of the passenger
michelins, I consulted my local tire shop who came up with a set of
Wynstars  for my stock rims. They're light truck tires. I'm told
they're made by Michelin.

Man, what a difference. I just put about 35 miles on the car on a very
windy afternoon, over two long bridges with a crosswind and I have
never felt such stability in either vanagon (at least since before they
stopped making the MX for my 90).

The tire is skinnier, which makes a huge difference in low-speed
maneuvering.

And the loud booming noise on deceleration, which I had attributed to a
shuddering muffler, is gone.

I don't know how they are in the wet, but they handle great in the dry.
The michelins required that I stay on top of the car's aim, requiring
repointing on cresting the crown of the road or if there was a
difference in lane heights. No more.


Jim