Sidewall Deflection

DervMan · 2005-07-30T08:01:22+00:00

We've had these 185/60/13s on the Ka for around 20,000 miles. The fronts are down to just over 4mm, the rears somewhere around 6mm.When I first put 'em on I had some concern about sidewall deflection. Diddy ickly rims, lots of sidewall - but had no problems whatsoever.Now I'm getting sidewall deflection at cornering speeds and loads where before it was _never_ an issue.My first suspicion was that the pressures are low, but they're just fine. I can't believe that slightly warmer temperatures will make a difference, 'cos lets face it, tyres are not cold after the first few miles anyway. So I guess the tyres could be wearing a little?Charlie's advice is, "yeah well we need at least 16" rims then, oh look, the Streetka uses 16" wheels, they'll go on just nicely."Next she'll be wanting chrome 22s and a big V8 pickup. :-)

Jul 30, 2005 24 Replies

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dojj 20 years ago

you'll need some smaller rims then won't you ;)

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Alistair J Murray 20 years ago

[...]

Hmmmm...

If this is happening earlier it sounds to me more like a reduction in the slip angle the tyre can generate - less flexibility due to the tread blocks wearing shorter and loss of elasticity with age???

So the break-away is less progressive? Hardening of the compound as volatile elastisizers are lost could do that...

It does sound as if you are running out of tyre carcase compliance - the tread lets go and the carcase snaps back...

Flexi-walls and scrubbed shoulders go together...

I'm getting my tracking checked tomorrow before it gets *expensive*...

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Albert T Cone 20 years ago

If you kerbed Charlie, Kermit would slap you? Hmmm.

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DervMan 20 years ago

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DervMan 20 years ago

LOL! Yeah probably would, heh.

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