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Old 03-11-2018, 02:23 PM   #1
loubob
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Default 550x19 coker radials

Is it necessary to do a camber and toe-in check after the radial install??


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Old 03-11-2018, 02:52 PM   #2
Chuck Sea/Tac
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Default Re: 550x19 coker radials

If your camber and toe in were correct to start, I don’t know why it would be necessary.
However, I’m not an expert.
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Old 03-11-2018, 03:53 PM   #3
SSsssteamer
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Default Re: 550x19 coker radials

Toe in change is necessary going from bias ply to radial tires. Radial tires take Zero toe in.
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Old 03-11-2018, 04:59 PM   #4
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Default Re: 550x19 coker radials

Loubob, I'd love to hear what you think of those radials once you drive the car with them fitted.
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Old 03-11-2018, 05:54 PM   #5
john in illinois
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Default Re: 550x19 coker radials

Quote:
Originally Posted by SSsssteamer View Post
Toe in change is necessary going from bias ply to radial tires. Radial tires take Zero toe in.
What is the source for that information. Never heard of it.

John
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Old 03-11-2018, 06:10 PM   #6
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Default Re: 550x19 coker radials

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I could be mistaken, but when I put radials on my roadster, the front end shop said that camber should be set to zero, not the toe-in. On performance, 100% better than bias ply tires.

Frank
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Old 03-11-2018, 06:34 PM   #7
loubob
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Default Re: 550x19 coker radials

First, thanks to all that replied.
I read in a previous FB radial tire topic where one of the responders said the camber has to be checked.
I purchased my car in 2013. It sat in an enclosed trailer, in a pole barn for 21-22 years. The tires held air and were almost new. I checked with 3-4 people who knew tires. They said if no sidewall cracks use them. I have had NO problem but am just concerned from a safety issue.
Hope to have the tires/tubes,etc. on by end of April.
I'll have to find someone who can check the camber, If it needs to be adjusted.
Syncro: I will be glad to let you know about the tires.
I would also feel much safer with new tires. Wife, and I, do 100+ mile weekend trips and feel the radials will smooth out the ride.
I will post results in May.
Thanks again.


Loubob
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Old 03-12-2018, 06:38 AM   #8
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Default Re: 550x19 coker radials

The first weekend in May is the Rhinebeck swap meet. Universal will have a truckload of tires there. If you call ahead, they will make sure they have the tires you need with them. Then you can 'kick the tires' before you buy them. Great guys...

Frank
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Old 03-12-2018, 12:21 PM   #9
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Default Re: 550x19 coker radials

When I put radials on my 53 (Olds) we aligned to original specs. It seemed to be fine to me, but was told later that radial alignment specs would be different than bias ply.
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Old 03-12-2018, 12:38 PM   #10
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Default Re: 550x19 coker radials

I have been running the Coker 550R19 Radials for several years. And like others have said, 100% better ride and steering, especially on the rutted highways we have here.
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Old 03-12-2018, 01:01 PM   #11
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Default Re: 550x19 coker radials

Carl: Did you have to adjust your camber??
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Old 03-12-2018, 02:46 PM   #12
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Default Re: 550x19 coker radials

EMF: Just checked. Coker has "free" shipping on Excelsior tires thru 3/31. I'll get them from Coker as I need new tubes,etc.
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Old 03-12-2018, 02:59 PM   #13
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Default Re: 550x19 coker radials

go for it...
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Old 03-12-2018, 04:20 PM   #14
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Default Re: 550x19 coker radials

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Carl: Did you have to adjust your camber??
No I did not.
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Old 03-12-2018, 05:50 PM   #15
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Default Re: 550x19 coker radials

Thanks Carl.
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Old 03-12-2018, 11:18 PM   #16
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Default Re: 550x19 coker radials

I went to the Rhinebeck swap meet a few years back. I was staying in the Carriage House for the Shyler Mansion, where Hamilton and Burr had the argument that ended with Hamilton dead and Burr looked down upon. Anyway, went at about 5:45 to be with the first to show up. Some guy from Pennsylvania and I walked around just a bit listening to the vendors snoring away and I knew I wasn't at a California meet. Here at that time I'd be parking two miles away and waiting an hour in line to get into the bigger meets. Came back about 9:00 and had a great time, by then a few of the booths were open and the people getting friendly. Fun day but I was 3,000 miles from home so all I bought was stuff I could carry in my pockets. Went back later in the day and the bride had me walk back about a mile as she had visions of driving a Mustang Convertible home. She had missed a zero in the asking price, so she rode home with me. Fun time though, I like going to these meets and talking with the people.
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Old 03-13-2018, 09:19 AM   #17
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Default Re: 550x19 coker radials

Rhinebeck is a great show. I get there early on Saturday and sit on the runningboard of the firetruck parked near where the cars come onto the field, saves time walking as I use a cane.
Paul in CT
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Old 03-13-2018, 10:06 AM   #18
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Default Re: 550x19 coker radials

I may have posted this before but, I put radials on my 65 corvair when I bought it new. I had to have it aligned to zero toe in as the radials do not have the slip angle that biased tires do. Before I realigned it, it would wander right and left as I went down the road. I was told that the reason was that when you go over a bump or the car sways one way or the other that the increased weight on the lower side causes that wheel to take command and the car follows that direction. Seconds later the opposite front tire takes command and you go in the opposite direction. I tried 70 or 80 pounds pressure in the tires and it did help some but that was a bandaid fix. Having zero toe in eliminates that problem. Just my experience. Jack
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Old 03-13-2018, 10:29 AM   #19
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Default Re: 550x19 coker radials

Back in the day, long ago, when cars had either bias or radial tires, I always set the alignment to the book specs and seemed to not have any complaints. As I had many compliments of people saying they had alignments done at the dealer, and mine was much better. But then that is just my personal experience.
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Old 03-13-2018, 10:37 AM   #20
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Default Re: 550x19 coker radials

Quote:
Originally Posted by oldforder View Post
Back in the day, long ago, when cars had either bias or radial tires, I always set the alignment to the book specs and seemed to not have any complaints. As I had many compliments of people saying they had alignments done at the dealer, and mine was much better. But then that is just my personal experience.
I don't understand. Why wouldn't dealers use "book specs"? Any dealers I've ever dealt with were strictly by-the-book types.
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