13 inch tyres in Oz.

[Hasbeen]

Today I went looking for some new 205 65 13 rear tyres for my 7.

My nearest Bob Jane place found a couple of Bridgestones for me.

These are 2 OF THE LAST 5 in Queensland, & THERE WILL NEVER BE ANY
MORE. The best information they have is that no tyre company will be
supplying them again, ever.

If you are getting close to requiring any 205 13s, GET THEM NOW.
NEXT MONTH WILL PROBABLY BE TOO LATE.

Hasbeen

[jclay (RIP 2018)]

Hasbeen,

I found three sources for 185/70-13s after a week of searching. The Tire Rack.com had some last week, but when I went to order them the Pirellis had disappeared, leaving Yokos only.

Discount Tires and PEP Boys both had a store brand available. I didn't realize that Discount Tires was closed on Sunday, so I went with PEP Boys. They did an excellent job of mounting my tires with out a single scratch on my alloys. I guess we will all be going to 15"s soon. It will look like a bunch of Hot Wheel cars!

Have fun, drive fast & safe, be kewl,

jclay

[Hasbeen]

I have my new rear tyres on the 7. I find it a bit amusing that they
look the same.

They are the same pattern Bridgestone's that came off. The only
difference is that they are 4 months old, not the 11.5 years old
that the old ones turned out to be.

It will be interesting to see how much more grip they have than the
11.5 year old ones. Right now the car is still wandering around on
the molding pimples, making turn in a bit of a lottery.

Hasbeen

[jclay (RIP 2018)]

Well, I am really disappointed with the PEP Boys tires! I have a steering wheel shake that comes on at 40mph, and get server between 50 & 60 MPH. Took the car back and they replaced one of the tires, but it made no difference.

With a lot of searching, I found the only place left in the Houston area that does tire Truing, so I am having the car taken there tomorrow. Thirty-five years ago you could have your choice of Tire Truing shops, but not any more. $16 per wheel, but I have to go 60 miles each way to have it done.

Have fun, drive fast & safe, be kewl,

jclay

[Hasbeen]

My place had to let one front tyre down, to get the grass out from
between the rim, & the bead. They rebalanced them, on car, & the
steering wheel is like silk.

The place I use is 55Km away, & I give them all my tyre business, &
make sure they know why. I also have sent them some people with wire
wheels, who often have a similar problem. I used to have 2 others,
but one will now only do it with new tyres, when they sell them to
you, & the other had both their operators leave & won't train
anyone else.

They know I have spent A$1400 on tyres in the last 10 months & will
have to spend $700 or $800 on tyres for the 8 very soon, but are
just not interested. They must make too much money.

If the worst occurs we will have to fit power steering, or a
steering damper. Either will control the wobble to some extent, &
stop it getting to the steering wheel.

I recall one car maker in the 50/60s fitting a damper, to overcome
wobble. From memory it was the early VW beatle.

Good luck with yours jclay.

Hasbeen

[gairo1]

I think mine are 15inch, but fortunatly had new ones fitted befor the car left the UK.

So a few years ahead befor worring about it, but what then?

Cheers. Jerry