squirmy Impressions

[Black bart]

Hi Ho all:

This past Saturday my son and I installed the Heinous Motor Sport Control Arms on the MM.

We took the MM for a trial run to Santa Cruz on the very twisty HW 9 but due to the Lockheed forest fire equipment traffic (great amount of smoke & ash) we could not detect any handling improvement one way or the other.

Monday I replace the rear stock KDWS tires with Nitto 420s in size 255/55/18with Pressure (Nitrogen) set at 38PSI.

On the return leg home through the mountains the Nittos felt “squirmy” as opposed to the rock solid KDWS tires also they are nosier as well.

The fronts are Conti Sport Contact in the stock size set at 38PSI and stick like glue through the twistys.

So will the Nittos settle down with some mileage or will I have to experiment with tire pressure?


Thanks


Fred

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

As much as people hate on the KDWs (me included in the past due to their wear characteristics), I have yet to install a tire that is as stiff a sidewall as the stock KDWs. I think almost anything is going to be a downgrade from the KDWs as far as lateral sidewall flex. I wish the KDWs rears wore normally and we would have had a perfectly good tire

Also any time you use a taller sidewall you are going to likely get more tire squirm. I didn't go w/ 255/55s specifically because that is becoming a giant balloon tire, that is not anywhere near low-profile anymore. 245/55 is unusually tall for an 18" car tire as it is

[Blk Mamba]

I have Continental cross contact 285/50/18 on mine, & they are great, (they quit making them right after adam bought his).

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

On an 8" rim? I would want to drive that for myself back to back w/ a 245/55 KDWs. I could tell the difference going from one 245/55/18 to another model in the same size...

[Black bart]

Thanks guys...will increase the tire pressure to 40PSI and see if there is any improvment


later!:)

[Phrog_gunner]

As much as people hate on the KDWs (me included in the past due to their wear characteristics), I have yet to install a tire that is as stiff a sidewall as the stock KDWs. I think almost anything is going to be a downgrade from the KDWs as far as lateral sidewall flex. I wish the KDWs rears wore normally and we would have had a perfectly good tire

Also any time you use a taller sidewall you are going to likely get more tire squirm. I didn't go w/ 255/55s specifically because that is becoming a giant balloon tire, that is not anywhere near low-profile anymore. 245/55 is unusually tall for an 18" car tire as it is

I have to agree with him on this one. I just got some Kumho 255/55s and had them taken back off the next day for the stock bald tires. The tires make the back end squirmy even when I was just changing lanes on the highway....instant no go for me....I have some BFGs on order.

[CRUZTAKER]

I too noticed, and continue to notice sidewall roll with my 420S rear tires.

I have learned to live with it...after all, they are technically light truck tires by nature.

I will buy another set soon for four basic reasons.

They are wider.
They perform wonderfull in heavy rain.
They are cheap as hell from tire rack.
They make a great backup at impromptu drag racing.
(I actually ran an 11.53 with minimal spin last summer)

I just don't haul ass around corners and am carefull on the twisties.

[offroadkarter]

I too noticed, and continue to notice sidewall roll with my 420S rear tires.

I have learned to live with it...after all, they are technically light truck tires by nature.

I will buy another set soon for four basic reasons.

They are wider.
They perform wonderfull in heavy rain.
They are cheap as hell from tire rack.



I agree with all the above (I never drag raced on these tires so i have no input there)


Yes they are abit more squirmy but keep in mind they have alot of thread and the sidewall is not as stiff... On the other hand, these tires handle going sideways great! Powerslides are easier to hold than on the KDWS tires...

And i agree they are a bit louder on concrete or really smooth pavement, but its not like deafening tire roar or anything to shoot yourself over, the radio on a low volume blocks it out.

[TiTo35]

I have had no "squirm" with my Nitto 420s size 255-55 in the rear...I actually love them compared to the BFGs.

[Black bart]

What tire pressure are you running on the rear Nittos?

thanks

fred

[TiTo35]

If I remember correctly...I went with 40psi...

[CRUZTAKER]

What tire pressure are you running on the rear Nittos?

thanks

fred

36-38 or so street driving.

[a_d_a_m]

On an 8" rim? I would want to drive that for myself back to back w/ a 245/55 KDWs. I could tell the difference going from one 245/55/18 to another model in the same size... Yup. The way the Tire Rack folks and my local tire shop explained it, 285's are dicey as far as fitting on 8" rims. Certain 285/50/18's are built for it, others are not. These ones happen to be acceptable.

Wear has been even on Tony(trash)'s car...I've only had mine on for 6 months/4000 miles, so it's too early to tell for me.

There is a cloverleaf-style interstate exit by me. In my Grand Marquis with Bullitt rims/Pirelli tires, I've kinda limited myself at 50mph as far as the "top speed" for the exit. Anything more and the car feels like it's gonna swing out on me.

With the 285 Conti's out back and OE BFG's in front, the car sticks at 50mph way better than the Grand Marquis does. I could probably hit 60 no problem. They are also rather predictable when (intentionally) busting traction around corners.

If you find yourself in/near Cleveland, look me up. I'll let ya thrash on my car. :burnout:




To the OP, yeah...I agree with those who suggest adding some more pressure.