Thanks to everyone who offered advice on tire size. I had the guy at my
_new_ tire place set all three of the most popular suggestions side by
side, and I just said eeni, meeni, minei, moe. (Nah, just kiddin) I
went with the 185/70 14s. I almost got the 195/60 14s, but they sat
about an inch and a half lower, and around my neck of the woods
(pot holes big enough to swallow up a B, leaving no trace) I need all
the ground clearence I can get.
While I was there, I decided to let them balance the front tires and
bang a small dent out of one of the front rims. I figured that
**might** thake the shimmy out of the front end at 60 - 65 mph. I
thought it was the bad king pins, but always wondered if the dented rim
and/or the tire balance (or lack there-of) could be the culpret. Guess
what. It WAS!!! I still need king pins but they just got bumped down
the list. :)
When they pulled the front tires off, they noticed (and quickly brought
to _my_ attention) the fact that one of the front ones was in really bad
shape. (Other one was new because the car had a REALLY bad one on it
when I got it.)
Since they didn't stock one to match the almost new tire (175/75) on the
other side, I just went ahead and had them put on all four 185/70s
(after pulling out the cell phone and getting "permision", of course).
All four tires w/ balancing came to $214. Not bad! Cost's me _that_ to
put two on one of my vans.
So I'm a happy camper! No more "ticking bomb" rubber. No more shimmy
at 60. No more tire "screech" around the simplest of turns. Ah! Life
is grand! :)
As a side note: The first place I called, Mongomery Ward, said that
they wouldn't put any tire on a car, other than the size the book calls
for. Oh well. Cost them a four tire sale and any future business. I
NEVER put the size tires on either of my vans that the book calls for.
The Ford has 275/60s on the back. I'd like to see them try to put a
set of 225/75s on _those_ wheels. :)
Bobby
--
Bob De Weese
Certified Professional Locksmith
bearlock@bigfoot.com
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* "The secret to effective communication is knowing what to say, *
* how to say it, and whom to say it to." *
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