Hard Rubber - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

tf95ZR1 · 05-13-2006

OK, this will probably get me a heap of grief, but what is the problem with hard rubber? I "acquired" 2 tires that are great except the rubber is pretty hard. My guess is they are either old and/or were out in the elements.
Anyway, what's the problem? Will traction suck? Will they crack and leak? Will they wear too quickly?
And another question:
Why not mix front to rear tires?
I'm done.
Ted Feder
95 ZR1
So. Cal.

Tom · 05-15-2006

I finally replaced the original Gatorbacks on my 90 about three years ago because they had gotten hard. They still had plenty of tread but they were worthless for traction. You could not use full throttle at any speed in first gear or they would spin like crazy and you had to be careful at some speeds in second gear or they would spin. You also had to be careful going around corners since they would slide very easily.

Putting two hard tires on one end with two good tires on the other end will result in very poor handling since the end with the hard tires will start sliding well before the end with the good tires. You will have a car with a very bad understeer or oversteer condition.

They will last forever from a wear standpoint but the car won't be very much fun to drive unless you like just spinning your tires. When they get hard they spin without smoking or making any noise, it's kind of like when you have a slipping clutch.

tf95ZR1 · 05-15-2006

Thanks Tom
Think it would help to shave the tires?

Tom · 05-16-2006

I doubt it would help very much.

05-13-2006	#1
tf95ZR1 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Northridge, CA Posts: 1,459	Hard Rubber OK, this will probably get me a heap of grief, but what is the problem with hard rubber? I "acquired" 2 tires that are great except the rubber is pretty hard. My guess is they are either old and/or were out in the elements. Anyway, what's the problem? Will traction suck? Will they crack and leak? Will they wear too quickly? And another question: Why not mix front to rear tires? I'm done. Ted Feder 95 ZR1 So. Cal.

05-15-2006	#2
Tom Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Southern CA Posts: 108	Re: Hard Rubber I finally replaced the original Gatorbacks on my 90 about three years ago because they had gotten hard. They still had plenty of tread but they were worthless for traction. You could not use full throttle at any speed in first gear or they would spin like crazy and you had to be careful at some speeds in second gear or they would spin. You also had to be careful going around corners since they would slide very easily. Putting two hard tires on one end with two good tires on the other end will result in very poor handling since the end with the hard tires will start sliding well before the end with the good tires. You will have a car with a very bad understeer or oversteer condition. They will last forever from a wear standpoint but the car won't be very much fun to drive unless you like just spinning your tires. When they get hard they spin without smoking or making any noise, it's kind of like when you have a slipping clutch.

05-15-2006	#3
tf95ZR1 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Northridge, CA Posts: 1,459	Re: Hard Rubber Thanks Tom Think it would help to shave the tires?

05-16-2006	#4
Tom Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Southern CA Posts: 108	Re: Hard Rubber I doubt it would help very much.