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06-29-2022, 02:04 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: NJ
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Anyone with issues with Coker Tires out of round, I found a solution
I was having an issue at speed (50-55) of the front end shimmying. Since my car is fenderless, I could see the front wheels hopping at that speed.
Coker's issues of out of round tires is well known and it's a crying shame they are unwilling to fix it. I spent 2 hours calling every tires shop in my area. Most guys had no idea what tire shaving is, let alone perform this service. Through a Google search, I found K&T Vintage Sport Cars in Bethlehem, PA. (484-281-8085) Not only did they shave the fronts to be perfectly round, they also balanced both wheels perfectly. Owner said 50 mph is when an out of round tire will make itself known, so I'm glad my hunch was correct. The owner did the work and took a video to show me the tires on the machine. You can see clear as day they were out of round. He shaved only what was needed to make them round and the cost was very reasonable ($50 per tire). He said it's not uncommon for him to have to add up to 6.5 oz of weight to get a Coker tire to balance. He said he's called them numerous times and they simply don't care. He was able to balance mine with 1.5 oz and 1.75 oz respectively. He told me he's done some exotic stuff for showroom stock case of racing. Shaved tires at an angle to get a better chamber on the wheel, etc. Great place and great people working there. I know there is a place in CT that does this and there is a thread on the HAMB about it, but I wanted to give try-state area guys another option. |
06-29-2022, 03:09 PM | #2 |
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Location: Columbus, IN
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Re: Anyone with issues with Coker Tires out of round, I found a solution
Great information Tim, thanks for posting.
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06-29-2022, 03:10 PM | #3 |
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Long Island,NY
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Re: Anyone with issues with Coker Tires out of round, I found a solution
The best solution that I found, is to never by Coker tires. Your solution is to spend $50 per tire and loose how many miles, to correct a problem that Coker should be responsible for. Why do we only hear about problems with Coker tires, simply do not buy them. I had a serious issue with Junker tires and they did absolutely nothing to help me, never again!
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06-29-2022, 04:03 PM | #4 |
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 16,425
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Re: Anyone with issues with Coker Tires out of round, I found a solution
Cokers molds may not be properly centering the tire carcass during the mold vulcanizing process. All of these type tires were set up by rolling the plies on a mandrel and the person doing that has to make certain they stop pretty close to where they started on the mandrel or there will be too much ply overlap. This will show up after vulcanization as a very heavy side and may have run out problems.
A person should let Coker know about problems like this whether they own up or ignore the complainant. They may not have full control over the manufacturing process. I always assume that they did but that doesn't mean they still do. Folks love to outsource stuff these days. Tires are serious business. If they don't respond to the complainant, maybe they will respond to the DOT or a lawsuit. |
06-29-2022, 04:14 PM | #5 | |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: NJ
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Re: Anyone with issues with Coker Tires out of round, I found a solution
Quote:
Coker is fully aware of the problem. I've spoken to them about it at Hershey. They claim they've got some magical way to balance them at THEIR shop. I don't believe it and the out of round issue is all over forums like HAMB, etc. I was aware of the issue before I bought them and crossed my fingers my tires would be OK. Unfortunately, that was not the case. It's kind of a damned if you do, damned if you don't deal. I want the look of bias ply tires, I just don't like the headaches. At this time, I'm willing to deal with the problem and correct it like I did, but I do wish Coker would get their act together and make round tires. |
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06-29-2022, 04:28 PM | #6 |
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Re: Anyone with issues with Coker Tires out of round, I found a solution
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I cried for a few days when I bought 5 Auburn Radials for my '35 about six or eight years ago. I didn't feel they were out of round on a 2k mile road trip soon after the mounting. So, I probably got tagged for that $50 per, along the way just like the Coker buyers. Getting them to seat the bead took a few goes with a bazooka blaster. Unwrap and let the tires relax before attempting to mount is my tip. 6.5 oz to balance a few of them made my mind twist around in circles.
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06-29-2022, 04:51 PM | #7 | |
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Location: NJ
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Re: Anyone with issues with Coker Tires out of round, I found a solution
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06-29-2022, 05:34 PM | #8 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Napa,California
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Re: Anyone with issues with Coker Tires out of round, I found a solution
I've never had an issue with Diamondbacks.
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06-29-2022, 05:36 PM | #9 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,482
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Re: Anyone with issues with Coker Tires out of round, I found a solution
V8 Ford Club is full of these mishaps and the stories. Coker doesn't care. Newc
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06-29-2022, 06:24 PM | #10 |
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Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 174
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Re: Anyone with issues with Coker Tires out of round, I found a solution
Which tires from Coker is everyone referring to? All of them? Don't they themselves make the Firestone bias ply tires? STA makes some of what they sell too. Which ones have the issues?
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06-29-2022, 07:14 PM | #11 |
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 123
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Re: Anyone with issues with Coker Tires out of round, I found a solution
The solution is Diamondback. To have to pay to make a new tire round is ridiculous.
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06-29-2022, 07:20 PM | #12 |
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Location: NJ
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Re: Anyone with issues with Coker Tires out of round, I found a solution
These are the ribbed "dirt track" front runners, but most of the smaller diameter tires are notorious for being out of round. I have 7.00 X 16" on the back and I haven't checked those. In hindsight, I should have brought them out with me too. K&T was 1.5 hours each way from me.
I looked the tires over real good and it wasn't out of round in one spot. He shaved in multiple places. No wonder they were hopping all over the place at speed. Left front was the worst. It looked like a basketball being dribbled. It was pounding the hell out of the front end. From what I understand, Coker has a new owner. I sure hope he takes all of the bad press on various forums seriously. They charge a premium price for their products. I'm curious about their Excelsior tires, but they are even more money and just don't have the vintage look for an open wheeled car. Last edited by Tim Ayers; 06-29-2022 at 07:27 PM. |
06-29-2022, 07:46 PM | #13 |
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Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys
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Re: Anyone with issues with Coker Tires out of round, I found a solution
Odd. I put a set of "Coker Classics" (185/75R15's front and 2.25/75R15's back) on my '51 about 12 years ago. The fronts required NO weights, and the backs took 1.5 oz. weights on one side and 2.5 oz. weights on the other. I've run them all of this time with no problems.
My main problem is that they still have plenty of tread and look great, but I'm gonna have to replace them because of their age. |
06-29-2022, 07:57 PM | #14 | |
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Re: Anyone with issues with Coker Tires out of round, I found a solution
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06-29-2022, 08:03 PM | #15 |
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Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys
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Re: Anyone with issues with Coker Tires out of round, I found a solution
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06-29-2022, 08:04 PM | #16 | |
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Re: Anyone with issues with Coker Tires out of round, I found a solution
Quote:
No doubt, the Excelsiors ain't cheap! I know that Coker sells them, but I don't believe Coker has anything to do with their production. We've had first-hand experience with the Excelsiors on Heard's '36 3-window, and they drive and handle GOOD, folks! Not even a hint of any 'out-of-round' condition. I've never heard a bad word about Excelsiors. Just like Coker, Jeg's and Summit Racing both sell the Excelsiors, and many times have a special going where the shipping is FREE! Coop . |
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06-29-2022, 08:15 PM | #17 | |
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Re: Anyone with issues with Coker Tires out of round, I found a solution
Quote:
I drove the car 140 miles round trip last Saturday. I try to drive it daily if the weather permits since I haven't made a top for it yet. Having bias ply or a radial tire has nothing to do with the enjoyment of driving an old car. In all reality, it's best that this car has bias ply tires on it since it can spin the tires in first and second. If the tires hooked up, I'd have already broken stuff. Last edited by Tim Ayers; 06-29-2022 at 08:20 PM. |
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06-29-2022, 08:19 PM | #18 | |
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Location: NJ
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Re: Anyone with issues with Coker Tires out of round, I found a solution
Quote:
Interesting. I didn't realize that. I thought it was a Coker product since Sumit does sell their tires as well. |
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06-29-2022, 08:34 PM | #19 | |
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Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys
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Re: Anyone with issues with Coker Tires out of round, I found a solution
Quote:
I guess we have different uses and expectations for our respective cars. |
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06-29-2022, 08:42 PM | #20 | |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: East Shore of LAKE HOUSTON
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Re: Anyone with issues with Coker Tires out of round, I found a solution
Quote:
You know Tim, I COULD be totally full of ..it. Surely wouldn't be the first time. I just thought I had read (somewhere in the past) that they were manufactured by OTHER than Coker. Then, on the other hand, if Coker DOES make the Excelsiors, then that proves that they SHOULD be able to figure-out how to fix their crummy lines of tires. Coop . |
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