Here's the deal: all tires are not created equal, whether they are bias or
radials!
On my daily driver (a retired CV police car), I replaced the tires that came
on it (cheap replacement tires), when they wore out, with a set of quality
Michelins of the exact same size and same inflation pressure. The difference
in handling was so great that I almost lost control due to oversteer on the
first few sharp corners I went around. The new tires had very stiff
sidewalls compared to the old mushy sidewalls of the tires I replaced. The
old tires were so soft that they would twist on the rim in a corner,
requiring more turn of the steering wheel compared to the new Michelins. Now
the car handles much better and rides smoother. The initial "oversteer" was
me, not the car, because I had to re-learn its handling characteristics all
over again. The bottom line is that much of the difference of personal bias
(pun intended) on this radial vs. bias tire issue is due to the quality of
tires chosen. Most of the WWW radials out there that we use on our old cars
are built for their looks and ability to hold air, not for their handling
qualities or tire life. If you want good handling, buy GOOD tires.
I bought a set of wire wheels for my 56 Dodge a few years back. They came
with a mounted set of Firestone 721 radials that had very little wear, so I
put them on my car. I felt handling was slightly improved in a straight line
and on corners, but it also felt a little mushy too. The main problem was
that these Firestones were square. They were so out-of-round that they
almost shook my dental fillings out at highway speeds. I tried to get the
dealer to warranty replace them (just after the big problem with Firestones
on Ford SUVs), but they stubbornly refused. This is my second experience
with Firestones, both bad. I went back to my previous bias-belted tires and
I am satisfied. These are G78 -15 WWW Remingtons. They are belted and
slightly lower and wider than the 1956 original (tall and skinny 83 profile
7.75 - 15) tires, and I think this gives better handling than the originals.
They will follow a pavement grove slightly, but they don't "jump around or
sideways" as some folks have reported. Again, repo tires, either radial or
bias, built for show looks and not quality may result in poor handling
characteristics when compared to a modern bias tire, or even compared to the
original tires back when the car was new.
If you replace a poor tire, either radial or bias, with a better quality
tire, either radial or bias, and notice an improvement, you have learned
nothing other than the new tire is better, either radial or bias. But the
quality factor is usually overlooked and most people see the radial vs. bias
as the deciding factor. The only true test is to compare quality tires of
both designs, with similar size and profile and proper inflation pressures,
and then decide which is better. But who is willing to spend big money on 2
sets of quality tires for a test?
Quality is everything when it comes to tires. I am not aware of any "repo"
style tires, radial or bias, that I would put on a daily driver that would
give good handling and tire life. Repos are made for show and parades and
that is all. Most personal reports I have heard are mediocre handling, poor
tire life, and even blow-outs after extended highway driving.
Dave Homstad
56 Dodge D500
-----Original Message-----
From: Forward Look Mopar Discussion List
[mailto:L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Josh
Sent: Monday, March 22, 2004 9:39 AM
To: L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [FWDLK] And the wheel goes round round round... Radial tire convo
continues...
I thought I would throw my .02 cents in... with both the 56 Buick Special
that I once owned and with my 59 Dodge Coronet, I had radial tires. The
Buick handeled the worst, even after a complete front end rebuild and a
professional alignment, it was a pain to drive, It had power steering but it
almost felt like the tires were always under inflated. The Dodge has also a
complete front end rebuild, soon to have another due to Ka***r's poor
quality parts and a bushing that goes clunk (well it has been 10 years and
30k miles) it too has never felt quite right, like the tires were low on
air. It didn't handle as piggish as the Buick, but as these tires are almost
ready to go, I think I will put on some bias ply WW tires.
Also, if you recall, in the mid 70's the Pontiac Trans AM bosted of it's
"Radial Tuned Suspension" and even had a plaque on the dash stating such.
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