Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2012 19:35:56 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Frydaye - LVC New Beetle Wheel Alignment/Balance Question
In-Reply-To: <CALGCdoXCK6WYJM=in-08zApwLeKgwSuo=bmxazKSiFam8-zgLg@mail.gmail.com>
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This can become another one of those long heated discussions but here are a
number of things to consider.
In the design of a tire there are many compromises. The longer a tire can
last the harder it will probably ride, the more noise it can make, and worse
traction it will have.
Depending on the actual Continental tire you it was probably designed for
primarily long life. Rain traction was poor and don't even think snow.
As a tire wears it work hardens. At 4/32's wet traction is half what it was
and hydroplaning resistance is almost no existent.
Just because a tire has treads and holds air does not mean it should be in
service.
The Cooper tires are budget (although usually very good quality) tire. Don't
expect the best in performance or life. At that mileage it is time for a
set.
When tire are unevenly worn or only a pair is replaced, the new or better
tires go on the rear. I foresee this becoming law just like winter tires on
all fours. Yes the fronts usually wear faster but it is more important for
the rear to stay in place and not cause the car to skid or spin out. This is
even more important for a car that is light in the rear as it is easier to
hydroplane the light end with less tread. BTW hydroplaning and
skidding/sliding are not the same.
As alignments, rotations and balancing!
I rotate to compensate for uneven wear (side-center-cupping, etc.) and for
the Syncro Vanagons to keep rolling diameters matched. For front drive
vehicles frequent rotation will help ensure all tires wear together but once
the fronts are worn considerably more than the rears then I leave them
there. When the fronts need replacing I put the new on the rear and finish
off the old pair on the front.
On that car the only normally adjustable front alignment angle is the toe.
Being rack and pinion it only changes when something wears or bends. The
other alignment angles get checked but any adjustment means worn or bent
parts. Every alignment job will result in you being told it was off. Go to 5
shops in one day and each will tell you it was out. One better, have it done
drive around the block and have the same guy set it up again. You just can't
repeat and maintain the tolerances the modern equipment tries to measure.
Balancing should be done at any sign of shake or shimmy or maybe 5 to10,000
mile intervals. From experience once a tire becomes a shaker balancing is
just a temporary fix. The belts are moving and it is time to replace. The
tire industry refers to this as "Ride Disturbance". It is noted in the
warranty information and the better tires will cover it under warranty up to
some mileage or wear limit.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Donna Skarloken
Sent: Friday, July 27, 2012 12:30 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Frydaye - LVC New Beetle Wheel Alignment/Balance Question
Happy Friday to everyone - I have a question for anyone on the list who may
have a 1999-era Beetle, Jetta or Golf - has anyone had any problems keeping
wheels aligned and balanced?
My husband thinks I need to have mine aligned too often and blames my
Beetle, but frankly I think it is my fault - I commute 5 days a week, over
300 miles per week, and I don't do a good job of rotating tires or getting
regular alignments/balances. My front tires, Coopers, that are worn out
have about 45,000 miles on them, which does seem somewhat low - I've gone
60,000 with other tires such as Continentals. On the other hand, the
Coopers are the smoothest tires I have run on this Beetle.
I am getting two new front tires tomorrow plus fixing a flat on a relatively
new rear tire (October 2011, Cooper tires). I thought I would try Les
Schwab; they are pricey but for a commuter like me might be easier in the
long run to get more regular rotation and checkups by just going there on
the weekend.
Thanks for any comments or suggestions, and have a great weekend.
Donna, 87 Syncro
