tires and wheels Wheels/Tyres & Steering

[Guest Anonymous]

hey guys! I am the owner of a 1974 2002tii. The steering at near stationary speeds is always heavy requiring lots of effort. When I bought the car it had 14" steel :195 x 70. I have some options. Original steel 13" (tyres 185 x 70) or 13" alloy Momos (6"). Any suggestions as to the best configuration of wheels and tyre size - obviously for best all round performance and lighter steering?

[c.d.iesel]

I hope you ment 195/60x14" instead of 195/70x14" ???!!?

/70 is too BIG, and /60 is a stiff steering tire/rim combo-

but excellent touring ride. 185/60x14" will 'freeup' the steering

and stop tire rub if you had that also......

steering box incorrectly adjusted

no / improper lubricant inside the steering box

top strut mount bearings bad

incorrect assembly of strut to top bearing mount spacers and washers

problem with lower ball joints

steering alignment settings

not enough tire air pressure

binding somewhere in the steering column

tires too wide

rim offset incorrect

steering wheel Dia too small

for ideal 'easy' original mfg. steering effort

fit 165/13" tires- anything other will result in increased

steering effort

original 'ideal' rim offset = ET29

[Guest Anonymous]

If you have a small steering wheel, get one that is about 15 inches for more turning leverage. I moved down to 185/60 -14"s, which also helps. 185/60-13's will be even lighter and there are folks on this board who prefer 175/60-13's, which will be like power steering, but, of course, gives up some cornering capability. Each choice has its trade-offs. Good luck.

_______________________________

Roger

'72 Malaga

RBenson685@aol.com

[eurotrash]

Tell us how you drive. Do you like to prance through town, or get down and dirty on the country roads? +1 on the trade off scenario.. It's a matter of priority.

[doug73cs]

Offset also can make the steering feel a bit weighty. I had a set of 5.5"x13" ET 11 on and found when I switched to 6"x14" ET 33 that the steering was lighter at low speed in spite of the extra width.

Doug

[Napes]

I noticed quicker response and turn-in, and decreased steering effort, when, after many years of running 195/60 x 14s, I went with 185/60

Dunlop Direzzas on my current set.

Bob Napier