Rough running engine

[LDM]

I might have to try Michelin or Goodyear again though, based on availability of 255/45/17's. I took Michelin's off within a couple days on my Trans AM GTA due to poor cornering and put on Yokohama A008 years ago... the Yokohama's out performed them extremely. (Yokohama doesn't make anything in a 255/45/17).

Goodyears I have had many on different cars, and always had issues in the wet, and they broke loose too easily dry or wet... hence the term Goodslides.

All of that was years ago... I may reconsider Michelin now.

Here's the Motorcraft rear stabilizer link that came off on the left, and the Moog front stabilizer link that came off on the right. (Front and rear Motorcraft stabilizer links look identical in diameter... just longer on the rear). You can see the Moog's are beefier, with zerts.

 

[chris2523]

I might have to try Michelin or Goodyear again though, based on availability of 255/45/17's. I took Michelin's off within a couple days on my Trans AM GTA due to poor cornering and put on Yokohama A008 years ago... the Yokohama's out performed them extremely.

Goodyears I have had many on different cars, and always had issues in the wet, and they broke loose too easily dry or wet... hence the term Goodslides.

All of that was years ago... I may reconsider now.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?width=255/&ratio=45&diameter=17

simple list of tires in that size. i have kumho asx's on my mark, mom's ls, and my brother's sho. they're ok. i really liked the price mostly.

what about the Continental ExtremeContact DWS. highly reviewed, and i know several people that like continental tire company.

 

[LDM]

I have been on tire rack for months... choices are slim for aggressive looking tread in an all-season 255/45/17.

I am looking at...

Continental ExtremeContact DWS (not my favorite tread pattern):
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...WR7ECDWS&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

BFGoodrich g-Force Super Sport A/S (not my favorite tread pattern):
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...5WR7GFAS&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus (not my favorite tread pattern - though recommended by many):
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...5YR7PSAS&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

For the money, probably Conti-DWS...

(I wanted Conti-DW or Nitto 555, but I should stay with all-season for Flagstaff AZ, Colorado and Iowa travels).

 

[chris2523]

yeah, i see what you mean.
mid missouri has me limited to all seasons for now as well.

 

[LDM]

Well... they found 4 General Exclaim UHP's in 255/45/17.

He says to pick a different tire, as these are discontinued... because if I needed to replace a tire or two in the future I would never find one to match.

Thoughts?

 

[M4rk]

Honestly, I wouldn't turn down a tire over the thread pattern. Not to question you, but why is it so important?

My next tire will be the DWS, and I do research (too much of it) before buying anything. It also comes with an excellent warranty IMO.

 

[LDM]

Mainly looks, with all-season in the size I want.

I ruled out the DW and DWS last night (and previously, then talk myself back into them), too much side wall complaints.
I do too much research too... been looking at tires for a month or more, mainly reading reviews etc. Sometimes I question the reviews, could just be competition running them down. Seems there are complaints on every tire, but more so on the Bridgestone Potenza G 019 Grid, and soft sidewalls on the Conti's.

Thinking about just getting the Nitto NT555 and enjoying those (what I originally wanted), as I don't travel that much... could always get a rental if really bad weather (snow/ice).

 

[LDM]

Trying to find a all in one tire that has higher mileage, looks, all-season etc is becoming fruitless in a 255/45/17.

Discount Tire just mentioned the new FALKEN AZENIS PT722 A/S.
http://www.falkentire.com/News/FALK...OMPANY’S-PREMIUM-PERFORMANCE-TOURING-TIRE-167

http://www.falkentire.com/Tires/Azenis-PT722-A-S-22


I don't know anything about Falken or anyone that runs Falkens.

 

[LDM]

Nitto NT555 Extreme ZR is the tire I bought in 255/45/17.

I decided to give myself a little birthday gift today(21)
245/35/19 nitto nt555's

Alax7: I see we share the same birthday (March 9), car, mufflers, and now tires!

The saleman at Discount Tire said he would not get the Nitto NT555 because of poor ride quality, poor wet performance, poor tread life, directional, wide shoulders etc. I said I'll take those!

Every website has great reviews on them, many LS's owners have them, and it's what I originally wanted. Since the saleman didn't like them, that sold me! ($136 per tire)

 

[M4rk]

Can't go wrong at that price!

When do we get to hear your exhaust, by the way?

 

[LDM]

You know honestly I tried so many times, even had a friend with me with different mic's etc... Tried using a laptop with Windows recorder, a web cam, external mic connected to the PC... all sucked. Windows kept taking background noises out (i.e. the exhaust). I turned off all that noise suppression etc. We tried inside the car, then holding the mic outside the car etc.

Tried using a HD DSLR camera, that worked, but the file sizes were too big. 10-30 seconds was 43-85MB. I could try that again the next time someone is over... so I can drive away while it's recording... post it somewhere that can hold a huge file size and post a link.

Then I did the shocks, springs, alignment, SS brake lines, coils, plugs, toe links, stabilizer bar links, another alignment, and multiple attempts at tire purchases... that kept me busy, so I never got back to it.

My cell won't take the videos w/sound etc (it's old).

Kinda out of ideas on how to record it. I probably made 16 recordings to no avail.

I need someone with an iPhone... that would simplify it.

 

[LDM]

.

 

[oddball]

Tried using a HD DSLR camera, that worked, but the file sizes were too big. 10-30 seconds was 43-85MB. I could try that again the next time someone is over... so I can drive away while it's recording... post it somewhere that can hold a huge file size and post a link.

The camera is the best route, then use the appropriate software to downgrade the video (but keep the audio) to a more respectable size.

You may even be able to upload the high res version to Youtube and let them sort it out.

 

[LDM]

I got new Motorcraft front and rear Stabilizer Bar Links, and new rear Motorcraft Toe Links and had them all installed and an alignment today for $80 in labor (and they will install the ES sway bar bushings on the front for free tomorrow). The ride is much better, about 75% better.
Pic of old Toe Links...

Pics of everything installed... Ride is much better after new Toe Links (stopped the swaying) and got even better after new Sway Bar Bushings today (better Left/Right steering response). Got another alignment today too. New tires Wednesday.

 

[M4rk]

How are you liking the Generals?

My Versados are so low, they are illegal to drive. I might either pickup the UHPs in OEM size, or Kumho Ecsta LX Platinums (roughly the same price).

 

[LDM]

Discount Tire told me the General Exclaim UHP are discontinued and they couldn't find them in 255/45/17. Then they called back and said none of their stores have them, but General found four.... but they still recommended getting something else as I would not find a replacement tire in the future. Basically if one or two tires had to be replaced due to failure or blowout etc, none would be found and I'd have a mixed set. Pick something else they said. I gave up on finding an aggresive looking all-season tire.

I am getting Nitto NT555 Extreme Performance ZR tires installed this afternoon.

 

[M4rk]

Oh right, I forgot.

I suppose I will not be getting the Generals either if that's the case. Kumho it is.