improving road handling /stability

[bluefoxamazone]

hello,

Is there a way to improve road handling on the ply cranbrook? I feel rather onconfortable because the car does not give me the feeling of being very stable on the road. I guess the diagonal tires are a part of the reason why. Could this be correct? Would newer radial tires run smoother and more stable? I do not think that the shock absorbers are worn but I will replace them anyway.

Any idea is greatly appreciated!

 

Grtz,

Franky

[Reg Evans]

Yes, radials will make a world of difference in the handling. You'll think you just rebuilt your front end.

[Plymouthy Adams]

raidals can surely make a great difference..but for peace of mind do inspect your complete front suspension for items that may be dangerously worn...

[greg g]

Well you are not going make it a BMW, but if your steering parts are worn nothing short of replacing the will do much. There is some adjustment of the steering box available externally, you can relocate the top mounts of the front shocks to the frame, folks that have done this report positive results. There is also a rubber isolator pad between the steering box and frame that perishes with age, and when deteriorated causes excess play in the steering wheel. And in some cars a worn center pivot between the tie rods can also contribute to road wander. Front anti sway bar bushings and mounts can also be contributors to bad road manners. Springs should also be considered. I run radials and find them better driving than bias ply tires so you can get some improved feel and response by mounting radials all around. Just make sure the mounted diameter is close to original, or they will throw your speedometer off. A proper alignment also helps, but if you have lots off bumps and cobblestone roads the adjustment probably won't last long enough to help much. Front end replacement parts are available from kantor here in the states.

[bluefoxamazone]

great tips and ideas,

thanks guys,

 

Franky

[desoto1939]

Cocker Tire has reently come out with a radial tire that looks like its a bias ply tire.  Do not know alot about this new tire but if you call them or go therir web page you might get more info.  Saw them at Hershey last week.

 

If you plan on having you car judged at an AACA show then you will lose major points on just the tires, just wanted topoint this out to you. So you also need to know what you plan for the car, judged or a driver.

 

Rich HArtung

Desoto1939@aol.com

[Plymouthy Adams]

I have looked at that tire (picture only) and by the very design aspect of the radial where the sidewall is part of the tread and is also included in the ratio aspect by specific measurements...given the very roll characteristic of the radial belt design how can you maintain the bias square edged tread and still handle and perform as a radial ply tire.  Firestone in their great marketing wisdom refused to go to full radial design back in the day and tried to combine the radial design with their bias belting and went so far in the hole that they went bankrupt and the reason they are now owned by Bridgestone...

 

I agree there would be great interest in the bias look and radial handling but when turning is involved with a true radial design..I see no middle ground...

[desoto1939]

Ply Adams:  I also have my doubts about this new tire design.  i would like to get some real input from people that have them on their cars and trucks to see how they are handleing the corning aspects and the wear on their suspension components.

 

I would not go out anpurcahse a set right now but wait for some more data reports.

 

Rich Hartung

[pflaming]

In 1984 I had a 1965 / 56 Dodge half ton. I sure wish I still had it. When I first drove it at 50+/- mph it went where it wanted to go.  I put new tires, probably no radials don't recall, and it tracked like a train. Even with one bad tire, the spare, that short wheel base followed every crack.  IMHO it all starts with king pins and tires.

 

Good luck, that car should be a dream to drive. 

[plyroadking]

I was very impressed with improvement in the ride from adding Ford aerostar progressive rate coil springs to my 40. The car doesn't wallow anymore and it returned the stance to more of a factory height.

[bluefoxamazone]

hello,

while shopping on the web, I came across a MAXXIS tire with a small white stripe and....affordable...

would a 205/75 R15 fit my cranbrook wheels?

anybody experiences?

 

thanks!!

[DJ194950]

Maxxix tires are very low priced tire. Get what you pay for and no idea where the tire was made. Offices in US/many Asian/ some Latin America/Europe. Where was it made? Take a guess country of origin for cheap tires. All up to you. Low mileage driven at slower speeds might work,  but...

 

Many have run the size listed without problems.

 

DJ

[Ulu]

Look at the tires first. Make sure none of them are starting to split, delaminate, or bulge. When any of these start, the car will begin to wobble or handle funny.

 

second, I would certainly jack up the front and see if the kingpins are loose. Just 0.010" slop in one kingpin will make your Plymouth handle like a shopping cart with a bent caster:  all over the road.

 

Of course all the front end joints warrant inspection whenever the car wanders, but just from my experience, the kingpin clearances are very easy to damage.

[greg g]

205's are too short, will make your speedo 8 to 10 mph faster than road speed. I run 215 75 rear And 205 's on the front.

[meadowbrook]

I can tell you I have standard radials on my 50 Meadowbrook and I can comfortably cruise at 80 mph. I have new springs and suspension is tight . Maybe new shocks would help, but it does not float much so I keep them as is.

[55 Fargo]

I can tell you I have standard radials on my 50 Meadowbrook and I can comfortably cruise at 80 mph. I have new springs and suspension is tight . Maybe new shocks would help, but it does not float much so I keep them as is.

With which engine,trans,and differential are you cruising at 80 mph?  I have a 251 engine 3.23 diff, P235 75 15 tires, and do not cruise at 80 mph.

[suntennis]

It would help if you described what bothers you in more detail. By describing what exactly makes you not like the ride will aid in determining if the problem is with tires or suspension. For example if you have a lot of steering wheel play, tires will not fix the problem.

[plymouthcranbrook]

With which engine,trans,and differential are you cruising at 80 mph?  I have a 251 engine 3.23 diff, P235 75 15 tires, and do not cruise at 80 mph.

My 52 Plymouth has 215's and when I do touch 65 or 70 it seems very busy. I usually cruise at 50 or 55. I do not have overdrive.

[meadowbrook]

I have overdrive and the stock 3.9 rear.

[st63]

Greg G, just curious what radials you are running. My 41 coupe handles fine and the steering is very tight, but the bias plys are getting to the end of their natural life span, and they naturally have a tendency to wander when hitting grooves in the road, as all bias tires do.  Wondering about your experience with upgrading to radials.  I've looked at the Coker radials that have the bias look, and am wondering which tire you went to.

Edited November 30, 2014 by st63

[greg g]

I bought a set of 205 75 15 Uniroyal  tigerpaw radials from Wal mart.  The fronts have about 30K miles on them and are still more than servicable.  As noted the 205's are not tall enough for speedo accuracy so I got a pair of 225 75 15's for the rear at Pep Boys. for the rear about 6 years ago.(speedo off about 3 mph, reads faster than actual road speed).  They have 20K on the and still look new.  I am running 5 1/2 inch wide aftermarket wheels by wheel vintique.  Figure I should be able to find replacements easily where ever I go if needed.  As I have a basic busines coupe I run them black side out.

[st63]

Thanks for the info Greg.  Those certainly are more reasonably priced than the Coker tires.