TR2/3/3A tire pressure

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Jedi Knight

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• May 13, 2014

• #1

I have Vredestien 165/80/15 sprint classics on my TR3.I have been experimenting with tire pressures.Started with a guess at 32psi,but dropped to 29 to see if liked that better.Car handles great,but seemed to scrub on fast turns a little more @29 than 32.I think I am in the right range,but am wondering what others are running.I met a Healey 3000 owner last weekend that was running 24 psi on sprint 185's,who liked the softer ride,but to me the sidewall sag looked like a low tire.
Your thoughts or experience appreciated,
Thanks
tom

 

Kleykamp

Jedi Trainee

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• May 13, 2014

• #2

You had me at 32 psi. I like being able to turn the steering wheel. 24 sounds way too low and sound like a set of tires will be needed,from uneven wear, before long.

 

RJS

Jedi Warrior

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• May 13, 2014

• #3

Huh, I just got new Vred Sprint Classics 165/80-15s a few weeks ago but, haven't driven yet as I have the whole rear end apart waiting for new axle shafts. I am planning on running 28 psi front, 32 psi rear. Will try to remember to report back in a week or two when I have it all back together.

Bob

 

martx-5

Yoda

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• May 13, 2014

• #4

I have Vred Sprint Classics 185/70 on my TR3. I like the way they feel at 30-32 psi. Good response and turn-in. Soft rides have no part in any cars that I own.

 

OP

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Jedi Knight

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• May 14, 2014

• #5

RJS said:

Huh, I just got new Vred Sprint Classics 165/80-15s a few weeks ago but, haven't driven yet as I have the whole rear end apart waiting for new axle shafts. I am planning on running 28 psi front, 32 psi rear. Will try to remember to report back in a week or two when I have it all back together.

Bob

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Thanks for all the replies.Bob,you got me thinking about different psi front and rear.I checked my Clymer handbook which lists tire pressures in the 20f-24r range or 24f-32r for Michleins.
Guessing these are all bias ply but the fact that they all spec higher in rear I think next try is 29 front,back to 32 rear.
Thanks again
Tom

 

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pdplot

Yoda

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• May 16, 2014

• #6

Soft ride on a Triumph? Isn't that an oxymoron?

 

martx-5

Yoda

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• May 17, 2014

• #7

pdplot said:

Soft ride on a Triumph? Isn't that an oxymoron?

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Not if you drive a Morgan! :excitement:

 

Gordon_Dedrick

Jedi Trainee

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• May 18, 2014

• #8

I have a new set of Nexens set up by Hendrix Wire Wheel. They suggested 28 lbs cold all around. Car drives and handles GREAT !
Gordon

 

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HarryL

Jedi Trainee

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• May 18, 2014

• #9

Not familiar with the make. Radial or bias-ply ?

 

Simmo

Jedi Hopeful

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• May 18, 2014

• #10

TR3A with 195/65R15. 28LBS works great for me

 

Don Elliott

Obi Wan

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• May 19, 2014

• #11

RJS -I sent you a personal message about your Vredestein tires.

Don Elliott

Original Owner, 1958 TR3A

 

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tdskip

Yoda

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• May 19, 2014

• #12

Don't forget that altering the front/rear pressures can make a big difference as well.

 

Gordon_Dedrick

Jedi Trainee

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• May 19, 2014

• #13

Nexen is a Chinese Company owned by Michelin. The tires are radial 165/80/15's. VERY reasonably priced
Gordon

 

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Jedi Knight

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• May 19, 2014

• #14

Gordon_Dedrick said:

Nexen is a Chinese Company owned by Michelin. The tires are radial 165/80/15's. VERY reasonably priced
Gordon

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Simmo,I am curious what wheels you have with the 195's.Not sure if they would work on the stock steel wheels for next time.
As far as the offset pressure front to back I guess some experimenting may show a difference.My guess as to all the factory specs showing about a 4psi difference may have to do with weight distribution.
Thanks
Tom

 

Simmo

Jedi Hopeful

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• May 19, 2014

• #15

Hi Tom,

The wheels are 72 spoke Dayton 5". think that if someone can measure the load on the front and back wheels, with passenger and driver, and then draw a vector diagram, both front and back would be almost equal. Thats my guess anyway.
Cheers
Ian

 

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Jedi Knight

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• May 20, 2014

• #16

Simmo said:

Hi Tom,

The wheels are 72 spoke Dayton 5". think that if someone can measure the load on the front and back wheels, with passenger and driver, and then draw a vector diagram, both front and back would be almost equal. Thats my guess anyway.
Cheers
Ian

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Thanks Simmo.Maybe with equal pressure the car is a little tight and the extra rear pressure loosens it up a bit.I still cant believe after 4 years I am at the point of adjusting tire pressure.
Have fun
tom

 

Simmo

Jedi Hopeful

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• May 20, 2014

• #17

Tom,
Playing with Tyre, (notice we spell it different over here?), pressure is harmless and doesnt get your hands dirty and you can stop when you get bored. I made a Panhard for mine and these pressures work well with it. No skipping on corners.

 

glemon

Yoda

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• May 20, 2014

• #18

I know the factory calls for lower pressure on the fronts than the rears, but I never understood why on a solid axle, stiffly sprung british sports car. The rear generally has a little less weight on it, and has limited suspension travel and is, as mentioned, very stiffly sprung, I usually run the backs about 4 pounds under the fronts on a live axle car, helps a little with the ride and skittering around corners with the back end bouncing about, and reduces understeer, making the more highly inflated fronts less squirmy. Does that make sense?

 

Simmo

Jedi Hopeful

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• May 20, 2014

• #19

Certinaly that does make sense Tom. I played around thinking about a suspension mod to stop the skittering. People told me that a front sway bay was the answer but I chose to make a Panhard Rod. Pleased I did. I now am able to run the 28PSI all around and it goes around corners very well. Im not a racer so some who are may want many more mods on their suspension. If you send me your email, in a PM, I can send you drawings on my own invented Panhard if you like.