[danielL]

hey all,
I currently have second hand 30x9.5 with rim of 15in sized tyres on my vitara 96. They added the height i wanted and improved the gearing for the driving i do however the handling is quite bad, which is understandable because the widest tyre im supposed to put on there is only 205mm (or just over 8in).

anyway i now need new tryes as the treads just about gone and the problem is i cant find a tyre that matches the height of 30in (762) and has width simliar to 205 or 215 or even 225 AND comes in 15in rim size.
so my question is has anyone with a similiar suzi had experience with 235/75R15's ?? in terms of how the car handles? currently the car "wobbles"??? and im assuming its because of the increased tyre width im driving on?

or anyone heard of a tyre manufacturer making 225/80R15's

thanks in advance

[christover1]

Any other modifications?
Lift can alter handling, too.
I run 30s with no problems.
Caster correction is important if it has been lifted.
Also wobbles could be any number of steering faults.
The idler arm or its bush can be a problem,
Check all normal steering parts as well

The smaller 235's will handle better, as there will be less strain on everything,
but I think its a steering/suspension problem.

[Matthew]

X2

Its not the tyres causing the problem, they will only be exacerbating existing faults.

Fix your car and 30's will be fine.

[atari4x4]

i'm guessing wheel balance or out of round tyres would be the cause of the wobbles in a vitara.

where the 30's you got 2nd hand?

[Matthew]

In my experience out of round tyres don't really produce wobbles.

But poorly balanced or buckled wheels would.

[christover1]

Mine wobbled a bit before replacing idler arm/bush.

I'd also look at adjusting up the steering box.

[Reubs]

christover1 wrote:

Mine wobbled a bit before replacing idler arm/bush.

X2, mine had a very annoying wobble at high speed until I replaced the idler arm. New greasable one was about $50, and took about 20 minutes to replace.

If I jacked up the passenger side wheel and tried to steer it by hand it I could see the idler arm moving up/down about 1"!

I still have a very slight wobble at the moment however, so I'm replacing all the tierod ends shortly to remove the rest of the play in the front end.

[Gwagensteve]

christover1 wrote:

Caster correction is important if it has been lifted.

How is caster affected by lift in a Vitara?

Steve.

[christover1]

Gwagensteve wrote:

christover1 wrote:

Caster correction is important if it has been lifted.

How is caster affected by lift in a Vitara?

Steve.

meant camber, stoopid keyboard.
Though caster/castor correction was very nice after my lift.

[danielL]

yes the tyres were second hand, and came off wider rims so when they first went on the handling was outrangeous until they wore in.
The car has no other modifications but has had some use..There wasnt any play in like the steering but on the road it felt like it would track either way and gripp and i'd have to wobble to keep it on track ahah Ive since ordered pirellis 215/80r15 from over east but il have a look into idler arms and steering box as it sounds like thats the true problem

thanks for the advice guys, appreciate it