Itinerant Air-Cooled

I put new tires on my 77 Westy this fall and I finally went ahead and had a shop do a four wheel alignment/suspension inspection. Wow, what a difference as it tracks perfectly down the road as before it didn't. Everything adjusted back to stock specs, the balljoints, tierods, read bushings are all in good shape....Whew as I just finished the Ghia suspension rebuild and didn't want to dive into the Westy.

Bleyseng wrote: ↑

Wed May 31, 2017 9:09 pm

I put new tires on my 77 Westy this fall and I finally went ahead and had a shop do a four wheel alignment/suspension inspection. Wow, what a difference as it tracks perfectly down the road as before it didn't.

I did the same thing with George a year or so ago when I noticed that the tires were wearing oddly. The difference was remarkable. And it didn't cost nearly as much as I thought it might.

Getting new tires and an alignment on the Westy today (old tires still good, but are moving to another bus).
I remember being pleased with the results of my last alignment, but it has been 7 years and a lot of rough Michigan roads since. Figure its time for another.

A follow up on this. The new tires (Hankook Vantra LT) are very civilized compared to the BF Goodrich TA tires they replaced. My wife commented that the bus rides smoother than her 2013 Ford C-Max now. The BF Goodrich tires have miles left on them, they are moving to the '79.

They checked my alignment, and said it was still spot on. So somehow 7 years and 35,000 miles of driving, most of them in Michigan, did not destroy my alignment.

drober23 wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 22, 2017 6:21 am

A follow up on this. The new tires (Hankook Vantra LT) are very civilized compared to the BF Goodrich TA tires they replaced. My wife commented that the bus rides smoother than her 2013 Ford C-Max now. The BF Goodrich tires have miles left on them, they are moving to the '79.

They checked my alignment, and said it was still spot on. So somehow 7 years and 35,000 miles of driving, most of them in Michigan, did not destroy my alignment.

Were the BF Goodrich cast off the '75 due to poor reviews?
Colin?

No. I like them for what they are. If I plan to do any off-road trekking they will go right back on. That said, they came off because they are loud, and I drive almost exclusively on the highway. I'm planning on driving the bus several thousand miles this summer with over 80% of that on the highway.

Additionally, we are taking my sister-in-law with us on the eclipse excursion. I thought a quieter ride would be better for all involved. Thus the stock exhaust and highway tires.

In regards to the BFGs, I've had them on my bus for several years. No problems. Good grip in the rain. Didn't notice noise. Not as good in mud/snow as the old vredstines. I don't think they make them anymore. We did a lot of off highway , heavy load and no flats.