Looking for some feedback on a change of driving feel following replacement of both rear tyres. Offside rear was down to 2.6mm and nearside 2.7mm, so not too hellish, but took the opportunity to replace with Toyo Proxy TR1s at the local tyre centre. On the run home, mix of smooth A class and “sporty” B class roads I was very much aware of a change in steering response, to the point I actually checked the front and rear wheel nuts. It felt like the slightest of steering movements resulted in movement like the car was on rails, but the turn felt more severe than expected… odd one for sure but would the replacement of rear tyres only cause this??? Cheers.
These cars are light and quite sensitive to tyre pressures and I wonder if your tyre supplier did you a favour and checked the front tyre presures while your car was with them and if the front tyre pressures were the same when you left as when you arrived ? Other than that bear in mind new tyres need to be run in for a couple of hundred miles to wear off the coating that remains from the manufacturing process.
Yes good call on pressures, do check what’s in them and adjust, maybe just that.
But…I would always go with changing the set and of the same brand.
All tyres checked… 29psi all round (pardon the pun)
Currently got the car in having tracking/alignment checked.
Just being nosey, what tyres do you have on the front?
Can’t see it be anything to do with the alignment if it was fine up until, and even driving to, get your tyres changed.
Stuff like this makes me even more determined to stick to the OEM Bridgestone’s on the ND, which I’m happy enough with.
Original Bridgestones… still got a good 4mm on them.
Before and after… streering wheel is now central too.
Maybe I’ve not been aware of the steering wheel not being exactly central, but thinking it was when I was forced onto the soft verge when someone pulled out in front of me on the A90. The kerb was thankfully one of those angled ones, so more like a solid ramp. Car definitely feels better now.
More to the point with an MX-5 having four of the same make, type and (recent) manufacturing date is more important than the actual make (as long as they’re not bargain basement ditch finders),
Even Bridgestones are excellent when new.
Yes, that sounds plausible enough.
All 4 tyres need to be the same make and type, sports cars are susceptible to to odd handling behaviour with different makes of tyre.
Not a mix I’d choose TBH Bridgestone and Toyo, especially half worn Bridgestones in the mix.
There will be new fronts next month or so. Having had 4x4’s (Subaru/Audi) for the last 10+years, I never mix brands. Couldn’t justify 4 new when there were still a few mm left on the front.
On virtually any car, even fwd, the best tyres should be at the rear. This helps avoid oversteer. I’ve found the fronts wear much less on my ND, so circulating the tyres per manual is good for efficient tyre use.