Tyre types and pressures

[simondarby]

I recently had BF Goodrich All Terrains (235/70R16) fitted on the rear of my 300Tdi Disco.  I still have some not very worn Michelin 4x4 Synchrones on the front (the same size).  I checked suitability of all terrains on the rear and road biased tyres on the front prior to fitting but since I have had them fitted, the steering feels vague at speeds higher than 50mph.  I have checked pressures and corrected the fitters wildly incorrect efforts(!).  This improved things enormously but steering is still prone to feeling a little wooly sometimes at speed.  The car was serviced 2 weeks before I had the new tyres and I have been assured that all of the steering system is fine and not worn or damaged in any way so I am a bit baffled about the possible cause.  Could it be the mix of different tyre type front to rear?

Any thoughts welcome...

Simon

[Frankie-Boy]

Hi Simon,

Personally I wouldn't fit different tyre types or sizes on any axle or any combination on the same vehicle, if I had to replace any tyres I'd match make and type or I would replace the whole lot.

Regards

[nzrover]

What pressure are you running?

[sogster]

Im  with Frankie Boy on this one.

It has to be safer to keep to the same type and size.

I changed all my tyres when i got my latest Disco because I didnt want road tyres. I went for Goodyear AT. They are OK, but the walls are a bit thin, and I have to up the pressure a fair bit when towing the caravan!!

Sogster.

[simondarby]

I am running 34Psi at the rear (235/70/R16 )BFG ATs and 26Psi at the front (235/70/R16) Michelin 4x4 Synchrones.

When I had the BFGs fitted on the rear, the fitter decided it would be helpful to pump up the fronts to 34Psi as well!  Got up to over 50mph on the dual carriageway next day and nearly messed myself cause I could barely keep the car between the white lines...  Wondering around all over the place.  Reduced the front pressures back to 26Psi and hey presto, back to normal "sharp" handling.  Called the fitters to complain and suggest that they should know the importance of correct tyre pressures but they couldn't have been less interested.

Can't get the service these days...

[Range Rover Blues]

That actually sounds a bit soft to me, the RRC EfI should be about 30/35 and I run ours a little harder than that-31/37 because of the gas tank and the dogs, it handles fine on a road biased AT tyre.
Have your tried putting the ATs on the front, it may help keep the car in a straight line by having the road biased tyres on the back and the AT on the front.  In doing this you may notice more understeer at the cost of better stability.
However I must agree that, more than any other car, a Landie should be sat on a matching set of boots.

[JeepCher53]

Hi
I am running a set of 205 "bog standards" that came with the car.
I will need to change them soon - the front are looking sad!!
But I hate to say it, the car is 4 wheel drive and it makes sense to have the same boots all round.
It is recommended by Landrover that ALL 4 tyres are replaced at the same time and of the same make and types.
It has to be done!!  8)  8)  8)

[JeepCher53]

OOOOPs
 :oops:  :oops:  :oops:  :oops:
Sorry guys I was logged on as the mrs
The above post was from me....Tazman! :roll:  :roll:  :roll:

[Range Rover Blues]

Just when we all started thinking your Missus was the smart one.

But seriously you are right, I swap ours round regularly to even out the wear and 'cos it's lifted and the castor angle's a bit up the wall I swap them side to side as well.  Saves slowing down for roundabouts :lol:

[simondarby]

Thanks for the opinions guys.  Seems to me that I shall be digging deep to get a pair of BFG ATs for the front as well....

I'm sure my wife will be very pleased!

Simon

[Wanderer]

Some tyres are directional though. So can't shouldn't be swapped sides.

Ed