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MG MGF Technical - Nervous rear - TF

I'ts not my week is it! Just had 2 new Conti's on the back after 27K and now it feels very nervous - I presume this is the same thing that happens with F's and new Goodyears. They are the same as the OE fitment so I was quite suprised, the old ones were fine and worn completly evenly. How long does this usually last for as is is a little unsettling to say the least!
Tony

IMO the rear is very dependent on how stiff the tire sidewalls are. With slightly soft sidewalls there is a tendency for the rear to make a "step" slightly sideways in bends. But that is the only movement on a dry road.Usually a lot of reserve until it really starts to slide...
Carl Blom

If they're the same as OE you're just experiencing the fact that they're new - they're a bit slippy until they've bedded in. Go easy for a couple of hundred miles until the tyres have had time to scrub in and it should be OK.

Tim
Tim Jenner

SWMBO's off for a couple of hundred this weekend so hopefully that will cure it - assuming it doesn't throw her off the road first :)

I've got them up at the full 36psi as I thought the fitter may have set them a bit low so the sidewalls should be right. It is certainly a lot quieter/smoother now with a decent wodge of rubber on again.
Tony

36psi sounds bit high and you might end up with a worn band around the tyre centre. 30psi is more normal.

Chris
Chris

Hi Tony, Chris is right,36 psi is way too high try 28/29 that gives a complete "footprint," nice and flat on the road. Cheers,Bob.
rb wadwsorth

36 psi was recomended for goodyear F1 D3s as the sidewalls were softer than the f1 2s, on the BBS recently.
Jon Baker

Hi Jon, Yes point taken, but the fact that the car is not holding at the rear"I presume thats what Tony feels," from the first post,indicates to me too much air. There is plenty of weight there.
rb wadwsorth

The only time I pump up my tyres to 36lb is when it's a track day and want 40lb, this after a hot lap. Over the past year I have settled on 28lb for road use comming down from 30lb.
Andrew W Regens

I personally wouldn't have anything much less then 36psi in my rear 15" Conti's, at around 30psi the handling became positively (negatively) lethal I quite like a bit of oversteer but not when travailing in a straight line!
C Tideswell

Original poster here but now logged in...

On a TF, the pressures in the book are 26f/36r but I do usually run the rears at 34 as that seems a better compromise for ride and grip and the wear was spot on - I think the fat central band on a Conti helps with what would be a typical centre wear problem. I did read that 28 alround was recommended but I found it felt a bit odd like that.
Tony Hall - Cambs

Just a little extra about the feel - a TF has sharp reactions(especially after a 9-5 Estate!)to steering input at the best of times but with this if you say dodge something on the road the back does seem to add a bit of rear steer "after the event" if you know what I mean. It doesn't feel slidey, just an extra movement after you have finished with the wheel. Hopefully the nice 100 mile run each way to the outlaws will settle them down.
Tony Hall - Cambs

This thread was discussed between 17/11/2006 and 18/11/2006

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