09-26-2020, 02:14 PM | #1 |
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Radial sway
I had a set of Firestones on my 31 Tudor 450/500 19s. They were just worn out. So this year I did my research and decided to purchase 5 new 450/500 19s American classics radials. With the old tires the car handled great ! It stopped it didn’t pull and it didn’t sway at all. Now it’s like a different car. After I installed the tires I did a front end alignment and checked for any type of play. The king pins about 2 ths play that’s it. I set the tire pressure to 30lbs. Off for a test drive Now there’s a sway that is Terrible. I changed the tire pressure to 45lbs with no improvement. I can shake the car and you can see the side walls flexing the car ran fine before the tire change
Has anyone else have this problem?
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09-26-2020, 06:29 PM | #2 |
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Re: Radial sway
Have you called the place where you bought them. Tell them about your problem and that you want them replaced or a total refund.
Buy Coker radials. They are excellent!!!!! Same about their service. |
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09-26-2020, 06:32 PM | #3 |
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Re: Radial sway
Where are these poor tyres made?
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09-26-2020, 07:08 PM | #4 |
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Re: Radial sway
I just purchased a set of those same tires from Coker. I'm running 50 lb in them.
As for sidewall bulge, its the nature of radial tires, whereas the tires you replaced were bias ply and the sidewall construction was designed differently. The tires I replaced were Denmans from 1989. I sure feel safer now as far as knowing that I'm not driving around on 31 year old tires. As for handling and some sway.. yes there is a difference. Modern tires are designed as part of the suspension and handling characteristics of a car. Bias ply tires were stiff by comparison, and the ride characteristics were determined more by the vehicle suspension. If you have significant sway, you might want to look at the condition of your springs and shocks... and bump up the air pressure slightly. |
09-26-2020, 07:17 PM | #5 |
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Re: Radial sway
jOHN
I Bought a set of tires like yours this spring and have put 2000 miles on them.I run 35lbs of air. I also put 4 oz of beads in each tube. My tudor rides and handles very well ! I did set the toe-in to 1/16 inch. Do not see any tire wear yet. Very pleased with the tires |
09-26-2020, 07:43 PM | #6 |
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Re: Radial sway
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A Tudor is a light car and if you are getting big time yaw, it has to be the tires. Try 50 psi, maybe higher. When you make a steering input, and then a correction, you go off the road, or into traffic. Your quail is moving from side to side. No good. Be careful. |
09-26-2020, 07:45 PM | #7 |
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Re: Radial sway
Makes one reconsider the radial upgrade.
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09-26-2020, 08:27 PM | #8 | |
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Re: Radial sway
Quote:
But while installing a Mitchell O/D I found a broken shackle that had obviously been in pieces for a while. I could not tell it was broken until I tried to take it off. My sway is now gone after replacing my shackles and bushings, front and rear. You might make a quick check of your shackles. FYI, don't buy the 'off shore' shackles. Appears this is a 'known' problem? http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/brokenshackles.htm Last edited by Y-Blockhead; 09-26-2020 at 10:35 PM. |
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09-26-2020, 09:28 PM | #9 |
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Re: Radial sway
Its odd to see the Model A so unhappy on radials. Unexpected.
When I changed my 1953 Ford (with its prehistoric King Pin type suspension) from bias-ply to radials, I thought my '53 Ford had turned into a '73 Lincoln. Amazing ride.
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09-26-2020, 09:34 PM | #10 |
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Re: Radial sway
"Designed to fit 1930 and 1931 Ford Model A cars and trucks, as well as other early 1930's vehicles, the new American Classic Model A+ Bias Look Radial offers the vintage look of a bias ply tire with the ride quality and safety of a modern radial tire. The 475/500R19 Whitewall Radial tire is a direct replacement for your bias ply tires, and makes a huge difference in drivability and handling. The steel belted radial is made in the USA, and offers the authentic look of a smooth black sidewall." I guess if it was an Aussie Classic it would be made in Thailand. |
09-26-2020, 10:24 PM | #11 | |
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Re: Radial sway
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09-26-2020, 10:27 PM | #12 | |
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Re: Radial sway
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09-26-2020, 10:45 PM | #13 |
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Re: Radial sway
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09-27-2020, 05:09 AM | #14 |
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Re: Radial sway
Thanks for the responses. I’ll be checking the shackles. I want to check everything that I can before I call the supplier.
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09-27-2020, 09:36 AM | #15 |
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Re: Radial sway
Of all the replies to previous threads about the Coker radials I have read this is the first negative thread I have seen. I have had a new set for about 6 months waiting to be mounted so I can't say one way or the other, but I hope to get them mounted in the next week or so before I go on a 3 day tour. Check out the other threads on radials.
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09-27-2020, 11:45 AM | #16 |
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Re: Radial sway
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09-27-2020, 12:30 PM | #17 |
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Re: Radial sway
Your car was designed to ride on bias ply tires. It is not the fault or responsibility of the tire seller how your car handles unless there are defects. or the store touted better handling for your car. Returning things because they don't rise to your expectations is a wrong attitude.
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09-27-2020, 12:44 PM | #18 | |
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Re: Radial sway
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I’ll report back when I tighten things up And I’m glad I got under the A to check things. Having a backing plate fall off while driving can get very ugly!!
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31 Tudor 66 Bonneville 57 Chevy pickup 27 T roadster pick up Last edited by JOHN CT; 09-27-2020 at 12:52 PM. |
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09-27-2020, 12:59 PM | #19 | |
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Re: Radial sway
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Good find on the backing plate. |
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09-27-2020, 01:54 PM | #20 |
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Re: Radial sway
Completely pleased with the 21" Coker American Classic radials on my 29 Tudor. Only logged about 40 miles so far, but zero complaints.
Heavy tire with thick stiff sidewalls compared to the rubber rags (bias ply tires) I took off. Goes right where I point it with no wander or sway that I can detect. 35 psi. A little stiff if anything, might try less air in mine.
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09-27-2020, 02:09 PM | #21 | |
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Re: Radial sway
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Tomorrow I’m pulling the drums.
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09-27-2020, 04:36 PM | #22 |
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Re: Radial sway
A friend in our Model A club has had Coker American A tires for 2 or so years and really likes them. I have driven for years with coker 16” American Classic tires on my Tudor and have had good control in wind and rain.
I would check to see if your springs are sagging and if your shackles are at 45*. Shackles too vertical can cause sway. John
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09-27-2020, 05:50 PM | #23 |
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Re: Radial sway
I love my Coker 19" radials. I have had them for 2 years, use 35PSI and a night a day drive difference over biased.
it rides better and tracks better. |
09-28-2020, 03:58 PM | #24 |
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Re: Radial sway
Hello all
I removed the rear drums. Tighten up the backing plates. Re-torqued the rear axle nuts to 90 lbs. Tire pressure is still at 45lbs. It seams to be better. But still a little sway going on but it’s much safer. I think the sway is coming from the flexing of the side walls. I’m going to be calling Coker tire and hear what they have to say. Off course they are going to blame the shocks and springs. It can’t be the tires!! I never had a problem with my old bias ply tires
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09-28-2020, 06:54 PM | #25 | |
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Re: Radial sway
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09-28-2020, 06:59 PM | #26 |
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Re: Radial sway
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09-28-2020, 08:39 PM | #27 |
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Re: Radial sway
Try 50 psi and see if you can tell a difference.
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09-29-2020, 05:49 AM | #28 | |
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Re: Radial sway
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Tread depth can affect drivability as well. Old thin tread tires tend to feel like they grip the road better than new thicker tread tires. The thicker tread sometimes gives a swishy feel to the ride. I notice this more on my Mazda Miata. The old radial tires tend to hug the road stiffly, but new ones will feel springy until they wear down a bit. For me, that’s just one of the trade offs of moving to new rubber. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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09-29-2020, 06:48 AM | #29 |
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Re: Radial sway
What condition are your shocks and springs in?? 50 lbs sounds like way TOO much to me, what is max inflation noted on sidewall??
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09-29-2020, 10:10 AM | #30 | |
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Re: Radial sway
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09-29-2020, 03:10 PM | #31 |
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Re: Radial sway
Okay
I think I’m getting closer to a safer model a. The sway is getting 75% better. With all of the adjustments I’ve been doing it’s getting better. So far I found the LR backing plate was lose. And the steering wheel had too much play. I used the method to adjust the steering box http://modelaclub.com/archives/tech-tips/981 It’s better! But now it’s squishy. I think it’s just the flexing of the side walls. And I’m at 45 lbs what I’m worried about over inflation. My next thing to try is to start dropping the pressure and se if I get the sway back Again never had this problem with bias ply tires
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09-29-2020, 04:34 PM | #32 |
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Re: Radial sway
I'am wondering weak springs, wrong springs. I started with no shocks and rusty springs and 6.50x16 old tires and a very harsh ride little sway. Now I have Stipe shocks and repaired the old springs 4.50 x 19 tires, and the rear can sway or lean when turning. A pan hard bar might help but what's needed is a anti sway bar!!
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10-03-2020, 10:16 PM | #33 |
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Re: Radial sway
I have a 1930 Tudor that had bias ply Firestone tires on for years. Last year I put a set of American Classic Tubed Radial Whitewalls (Made in USA) on my car and have put 5000 miles on the car in the last year. I run 35psi of pressure in the tires so they always look a little low, but they are GREAT TIRES that ride nice, run quiet and show no signs of wear. I would buy the tires again. It makes the car drive a lot like a modern car.
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