Notices
RX-8 Discussion General discussion about the RX-8 that doesn't fit in one of the specialty forums.

Car steering less stiff after a tire change

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 08-10-2009, 10:39 PM
  #1  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
Unhooked's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
GA Car steering less stiff after a tire change

Hey guys,

I recently changed my tires to Toyo's T1-Rs, now altho these tires are pretty good, my steering wheel stiffness has changed dramatically.

I used to like the stiff steering especially at high speeds. Any idea how this could have happened. I saw the shop do the tire change and they did nothing more than just swap tires?

What gives?
Old 08-10-2009, 10:44 PM
  #2  
"13B vs. Renesis" Discuss
iTrader: (28)
 
Vyndictive's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Canton, OH
Posts: 2,399
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
how warn down were your old tires?

New tires have a lot of meat on them, making them less responsive than tires with tread that is warn down. I noticed this when I went from bald tires to new tires. new tires were a softer tread compound also, which made it feel even softer.
Old 08-10-2009, 10:46 PM
  #3  
Registered
 
Marklar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 935
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
How often do you check the air in your tires? It's possible that you're just feeling properly inflated front tires.
Old 08-10-2009, 10:53 PM
  #4  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
Unhooked's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Marklar
How often do you check the air in your tires? It's possible that you're just feeling properly inflated front tires.
hehe... no I do check the air on my tires on a regular basis.

Originally Posted by Vyndictive
how warn down were your old tires?

New tires have a lot of meat on them, making them less responsive than tires with tread that is warn down. I noticed this when I went from bald tires to new tires. new tires were a softer tread compound also, which made it feel even softer.

Yes my old tires were bald before I replaced them with these Tires. I do know they are much softer than the OE Dunlops.

So I am guessing this is normal?
Old 08-10-2009, 10:55 PM
  #5  
"13B vs. Renesis" Discuss
iTrader: (28)
 
Vyndictive's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Canton, OH
Posts: 2,399
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
exact same tire size also? A larger sidewall will make the car feel softer also.

I would say its normal. Its not like someone is messing with your steering.
Old 08-10-2009, 11:04 PM
  #6  
silent assasin
iTrader: (6)
 
rodjonathan's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Houston
Posts: 3,398
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
lol that would be funny comin outa work or school and seeing an ex tool in hands and all messing with your steering LOL
Old 08-10-2009, 11:14 PM
  #7  
Mu ha.. ha...
 
Razz1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cali
Posts: 14,361
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
The tires are softer grip the road more, so it is more responsive.

Don't like.. then you never should have gotten those track tires. Stick with gooall around performance tires.

Check tire rack. Compare TRR to other tires, get the next level down.

You will get longer wear out of a alternative tire.
Old 08-10-2009, 11:21 PM
  #8  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
Unhooked's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Vyndictive
exact same tire size also? A larger sidewall will make the car feel softer also.

I would say its normal. Its not like someone is messing with your steering.
No I went with 245/40/18 the "Std" upgrage
Old 08-10-2009, 11:36 PM
  #9  
desperately needs a drop
iTrader: (1)
 
Alexb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Dallas, Texas
Posts: 1,127
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I had it happen to me too. My tires before were very bad
Old 08-10-2009, 11:59 PM
  #10  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
Unhooked's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
cool thanks guys for all the replies!!
Old 08-11-2009, 09:13 AM
  #11  
Huge hole is huge
 
CyberPitz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Joplin, MO
Posts: 3,191
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Well, now I know what to expect when I change out my tires.
Old 08-11-2009, 09:31 AM
  #12  
Registered
 
ken-x8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 5,027
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
See how things feel after a few hundred miles.

One of the tech articles at Tire Rack says that two things happen when you put on new tires. One is that there's more tread, so there'll be a little more compliance as compared to bald tires. (One of the reasons racers sometimes shave the tread down.) The other is that there's mold release that will make them a little slippery. They say it takes a couple of hundred miles for that to wear off.

I also suspect there's a little heat cycling involved...I've heard anecdotally that tires have a break in period.

I recently replaced my worn OEM tires with Bridgestone RE9060 all seasons. When I first drove off with them, my feeling was "Crap - these all seasons have killed the tight steering." Several hundred miles later, though, the tight steering was back.

Ken
Old 08-11-2009, 10:17 AM
  #13  
RX Lectriod from Planet 8
 
Hidef1080's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Atlanta, Ga.
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by ken-x8
See how things feel after a few hundred miles.

One of the tech articles at Tire Rack says that two things happen when you put on new tires. One is that there's more tread, so there'll be a little more compliance as compared to bald tires. (One of the reasons racers sometimes shave the tread down.) The other is that there's mold release that will make them a little slippery. They say it takes a couple of hundred miles for that to wear off.

I also suspect there's a little heat cycling involved...I've heard anecdotally that tires have a break in period.

I recently replaced my worn OEM tires with Bridgestone RE9060 all seasons. When I first drove off with them, my feeling was "Crap - these all seasons have killed the tight steering." Several hundred miles later, though, the tight steering was back.

Ken
I have to agree.

I got some new all seasons about a month ago and I thought someting was wrong when I went around a corner because it seemed as if my car was going to let go.
But they are getting better as time [miles] rolls on.

I'm thinking of moving to some 245's as well....
Old 08-11-2009, 11:06 AM
  #14  
Registered
 
8sumthin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Long Island NY
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I had the same experience, OEM Bridgestones weren't bald but close. Felt like on rails in dry, got alittle shaky wet and we all know what happens if you have snow. Switched to 245/45 18 Nitto Neo Gen because I needed all season and was like crap they felt so sqiurmy especially at low speed. 700 miles later love 'em might even grip better and I got home in 2 snow storms.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rotarywanker
Series I Interior, Audio, and Electronics
3
12-08-2022 05:56 PM
Skyl3r
New Member Forum
148
12-02-2019 04:51 PM
BigMikeATL
RX-8's For Sale/Wanted
12
05-26-2016 12:31 AM
JakeKaminskisRacing
New Member Forum
13
08-23-2015 01:10 AM
philip53
RX-8 Parts For Sale/Wanted
1
07-30-2015 04:18 AM



You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: Car steering less stiff after a tire change



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:41 PM.