New Tires or Keep Old Ones

[jimmyr]

Currently have Michelin 165 SR 15's on my BN2, and do not think they are steel belted. Is there a steel belted type for these? They seem like a safer design.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

Are you sure the Michelin's aren't steel belted? I think pretty much every tire made in the last 30 years or more are steel belted. Anyway, I did a lot of looking for tires for my BN2; I think I found a few that were outrageously priced but settled for Nexens from Walmart for about $40 ea. and they're fine for casual use.

EDIT: Just saw this on another forum:

https://www.ahexp.com/forum/the-3000-forum.3/michelin-x-tires-from-coker-for-real.211131/

 

[dougie]

Neither: Toss them all and get five--not four--new ones.

Ditto - New tires if you drive over 45 mph and further then 25 miles from home.

 

[steveg]

Longstone also sells the 165SR15 XZX as well for $129.60 w free shipping.

 

[Michael Oritt]

Before I got the present set of XAS 180's I had XzX 175's. They were good tires but the XAS's seem better in the wet and have a great road feel.

I believe the XzX's are still only available in 165 size and for several reasons I am a fan of as big a tire as will fit.

 

[CessnaTPA]

I received the tires yesterday and got them installed. It was actually much easier than i thought it would be. I have always changed my motorcycle tires and usually have to curse and fight them on, not so with these tires.
I used a bead breaker from Harbor Freight, tire irons/spoons, tire mounting lube & paste and used a tire balancer from Harbor Freight.
Was it worth the $100 I saved doing it myself? Probably not but I have never changed a car tire and like the challenge and satisfaction of doing it. Hopefully I won't have to mess with them again for a long time and change them because of mileage not time next time.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

Nice work. Did you put talc on the tubes?

 

[Bob McElwee]

and remove any stickers on the inside of the tires.

 

[CessnaTPA]

Nice work. Did you put talc on the tubes?

Yes I used powder on the tubes and used rim protectors while using the tire irons. My father in law owned a tire shop and recommend after inflating deflate it again so everything adjusts in place properly.

 

[gonzo]

Thanks for sharing your experience with the tire and tube change-out. Glad everything worked out for you and the solution was somewhat inexpensive.
I'm curious about the DIY approach and been tempted to purchase HF's aluminum tire levers just in case. Was any modification needed for the wheel balancer to work on center lock hubs? Any tips you would like to share? GONZO

 

[tahoe healey]

Some tricks I found with the HF wheel (bubble) balancing and HF tire unit. Because the wire wheel won't center, I put a PVC pipe end cap in the hub to take up the space and center the wheel. On the tire remover, I mounted an old wire wheel hub that I had to hold the wheel as the "pins" are made to fit the lug holes. Watch for sales or 20% off coupons. This works well for me as I tend to break spokes often.
What is used to protect the rim?

 

[John Kuzman]

I slide old bicycle tubes over the tire irons to protect the rims. Never a scratch or marred spot.

 

[tahoe healey]

I like that inner tube idea. I used plastic that moved all over the place and gave up.

 

[Curt Johnson]

I have had over 100 cars & trucks and many of them very old. My personal opinion is the tire companies want you to replace tires as often as possible. I am still using some tires 30 or 40 years old without a problem, but I don't go very fast on crowded freeways with them. I know most of you will not agree with this.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

Ask your insurance company if they 'agree with this.'

 

[Keoke]

I am still using some tires 30 or 40 years old without a problem, but I don't go very fast on crowded freeways with them. I know most of you will not agree with this.

Well we sure agree with Curt Johnson here.
​

 

[CessnaTPA]

I have had over 100 cars & trucks and many of them very old. My personal opinion is the tire companies want you to replace tires as often as possible. I am still using some tires 30 or 40 years old without a problem, but I don't go very fast on crowded freeways with them. I know most of you will not agree with this.

Finally 1 vote to keep the old tires, this is what I was wanting to hear two weeks ago before I bought all new tires. But you are only one out of about 20 people who said keep the old tires.