MT Sportsman Fronts?

[kidrick]

I have an '87 GN. Originally had stock '87 GN rims with BFG Comp TAs on the front. Ride was smooth. Then replace bad ball joints, car road even better. Decided to go with 15x5 Weld draglites with MT Sportsmans(8ply) in the front for less weight. I gave them to a friend to mount because he did it for $5. Ever since I put this new combo on, when the car has sat for the night and I go to drive it the next day, the front drivers side tire/wheel bounces and jerks the car up and down on the drivers side front. After driving it for 5 minutes it is fine then, like the tire just needed to get warmed up. I first thought the balance was off on the wheel so I switched the two fronts. Still bad. Then I noticed that when I was deciding if I wanted to remove my front sway bar that I left the drivers side bolt loose. Took off the bar and still bad. I've heard that these tires are cheaply made and some other people I know have had similair problems. I'm just wondering is it the tire, because I switched them and still have the problem, or maybe the ball joint or some other suspention part is loose.

 

[TR Custom Parts]

Totally normal for these tires. Have a set I use on Welds and they do the same thing. Need to drive them a few miles and then they are smooth as silk. I can drive to a cruise and let the car sit in place for a couple of hours and they thump from just sitting for that little bit of time.

 

[buickboy]

I have a brand new pair and have no problems like that.
Mitch

 

[topfuel]

My Sportsmans do the same thing after sitting overnight, then
it goes away. Nothing you can do about it...
I used to have some MT tires in the back that did the same
thing too.

 

[strikeeagle]

Sportsmans are nylon, which are notorious for thump, thump, thump.

Of course, anybody who runs skinnies on the street is asking for it. Oh, and God help their poor car, too.

 

[azgn]

I agree with Strikeeagle, those tires are for the racetrack, not the street (wonder how they would stop if locked?)

 

[buickboy]

MT Sportsman's are DOT approved, 8-Ply, and speed rated tires. They are not skinnies(track only). Absolutely nothing wrong with them on the street or track.
Mitch

 

[azgn]

Sportsman fronts are mighty tiny tires to be running on the street where you may have to stop and turn....DOT approved or not

 

[pitch black]

I run 26x7.5 MT Sportmans and don' t think they have bad street manners. Much better than the 35x12.5 BFG T/A's on my blazer.

 

[azgn]

they must look purty dumb on your Blazer?

 

[strikeeagle]

Guys,

Why would you want to go with a front wheel and tire combo smaller than OEM on the street?

At best, it beats the snot out of the car. At worst, it's DANGEROUS.

Stop kidding yourselves...

 

[Black Box]

I have the 26x7.50x15 Sportsman fronts and yep, they thump. Never had any problems on the street. It's driveable but you definitely have to be careful.

Didn't know they were speed rated.

Steve