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Front End Shimmy
#1
Since I bought my 58 plate XTR I have felt that the front end was slightly skitty to try and explain it. When the Michelin Primacy on one side needed to be replaced I decided on a like for like replacement (expensive!!) On fitting it, the car tended to pull to one side so I transfered them to the back until the new one had worn in. Since returning them back to the front after a few thousand miles there is still a slight pull to one side (the other tyre has plenty of tread left) and I feel that the steering lacks feel and has a skitty feeling albeit slight. I think it has always been like that to be honest. I wonder if the steerring is over powered thereby not giving enough feel back to the steering and causing to much assistance. Anyone have any comments?
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#2
My only thoughts are that it's generally considered better to replace both tyres together, especially on the driven wheels. You'll still have a fair bit of difference in tread between the two tyres so one actually has a bigger diameter than the other. Plus tyres harden as they age so the new one will have more grip. All of that could easily make the car skittish.

The other thing is that given the choice I'd always put the newest tyres on the rear - better to understeer than oversteer. So why not just put them back on the rear, and then replace both front tyres when the time comes?

When the time comes I'd also consider other brands to save money - I used to fit only premium 'brands', and whilst I wouldn't touch the really cheap stuff I've been very happy with Vredestein, Toyo and Kumho on a number of cars.
[-] The following 1 user says Thank You to nicebiscuit for this post:
  • ron
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#3
I agree with nicebiscuit-change tyres in pairs, I will also use Kumho tyres now as they seem to perform and wear a little better than my previous choices. My rears are wearing on outer edges again but will still fit Kumhos and HOPE I may get a wee bit more mileage out of them. I may also start to change front and rears over.
Former 2011 Mk3 XTR owner Confusedalut:
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#4
also have your tracking checked, this really seems to effect modern cars a lot, plus all the potholes we have to suffer. I was also told with speed bumps always hit them full on, never one tyre/side first, eg at an angle as this knocks your tracking out. My partners freelander needs her tracking done every 6 months otherwise she wears tyres down on outer edges really badly [we do live up a 1/2 mile farm track, which doesnt help]
As for rear tyre outer edge wear , is this the tracking???? I know a lot complain about it, I have never experienced this , in my 2010 model with 33k on it. I do change to winter tyres evry november and back in March, but none of my sets of tyres show wear on edges.
2010 artic silver VTR with EXTRAS.......Confusedunny:
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#5
(27-12-2012, 08:22 AM)nicebiscuit Wrote:  My only thoughts are that it's generally considered better to replace both tyres together, especially on the driven wheels.

I might do if I win the lottery this weekend Wink If it needs one tyre that's all it gets. Alright if it's old worn out at the same rate tyres but if I get a flat I'm not going to swap a perfectly good tyre to match it. If you let go of the wheel does it actually steer to one side or can you just feel a pull against your hand ? Road camber will do that and nervous steering can be any number of things, I've noticed our car tracks on white lines when the tyre pressure is a bit down on a front tyre.
So where does this bit go then ?
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#6
(27-12-2012, 11:24 AM)ffrenchie Wrote:  I might do if I win the lottery this weekend Wink If it needs one tyre that's all it gets. Alright if it's old worn out at the same rate tyres but if I get a flat I'm not going to swap a perfectly good tyre to match it.

Fair point, but I'd try and keep evenly worn tyres on the front. I've had 'odd' tyres on the back of FWD cars before and that seems to make little difference, but I've certainly had odd effects with mismatched fronts. For the small amount of effort to switch them round in the event of a front wheel puncture, seems worth it.
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#7
Over the years I have replaced tyres on the front end of a FWD vehicle, at times with a completely different make and tread, without any detrimental effect. The other tyre has good tread so has probably been replaced before I got the vehicle and that was at about 33,000 miles and its now at about 47,000 so ageing of the tyre cannot be an issue here. Still feel it is not necessarily a tyre related issue but I mentioned it as that is what I had done. Give me back my Mk2 with the XTR engine and removable rear seats and Modubox and I would be a happy bunny.
Cannot help but think that Citroen went a bit wrong with the Mk3 with the rear end and other problems that some report. Not enough test time???
[-] The following 1 user says Thank You to Baldricks Pilot for this post:
  • ron
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#8
Does seem to vary from car to car - the Abarth we had previously would handle like a pig if the tyres were just a couple of PSI down!

Sounds like you could be right though - but suspension wise I guess you have a troubleshooting list from the other threads. For what it's worth my recent purchase is a little vague and is starting to rattle somewhere from the front so I intend to investigate shock mounts and drop links when it gets worse - it does seem like suspension components are consumables on these. You don't mention whether you fitted the wheels or someone else did - perhaps something got a knock when the wheels were swapped round? The good news seems to be that the bits involved aren't expensive (well - by modern car repair standards...)
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