Mixing 'old' with 'new' tyres?

Damned67 · Post by **Damned67** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 7:11 pm

Hi All,
I've recently (Nov. last year) picked up a nice cheap '98 Outback. It's got an alignment issue, and one of the front tyres is wasted. This actually comes at a reasonable time, as I just got a little 'bonus' money (and having just separated from the wife, any money is an exciting prospect!!!).

Here's the deal. The car has one shot Longtrail T/A, two fairly good Longtrail t/As (about 3-3.5mm tread depth), and a Wrangler (?).
Obviously, the toasted Longtrail and the Wrangler need to go.
Question is, can I settle with two new Longtrails and mix them with the old Longtrails. I remember hearing many years ago that 4wd tyres needed to be replaced as sets of 4, as a pair with significantly lower tread depth would also have a shorter rolling circumference, and then place undue wear on the transfer case.
Is that still considered the case, or more of an issue for much larger 'truck' tyres, or complete bollocks all together?

Basically, if I can get away with two replacement tyres, then I can also afford to get replacement CVs (as preventative maintenance, as they're the originals and the car has well over 300k on the clock).. which is what I'd prefer to do.

If I need to replace all 4 tyres, is there a reasonably priced tyre people would recommend for someone doing 99.5% On road (and about 40,000 highway km's per year), and 0.5% Off road (which has only ever been a few kms of dirt road with the boat hooked to the back)....?

Cheers in advance!

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 8:41 pm

G'day,
Fair enough where you're coming from, its your car and its your choice for it... but I can tell you now, Subaru with centre diff/AWD system, its not recommended to have 4 different size or 2 different size tyres, even if its 0.05% out you will wear out the centre diff over the time (like my previous Liberty did (wore centre diff out) and I do still not know why and but in theory it was due wrong size tyres which I changed over to a set of 4 same size - it had 215/50 16s front and 205/55 16s rear)

So from what I heard its recommended to have a set of 4 same size and rotate tyres around from time to time.

Tyre Brand - Everyone taste is different, for me is Coopers CS4 - but I know the price tag and I do think its worth it.
Cheers
AP

daza · Post by **daza** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 9:17 pm

You're Best bet might be to measure the hight of the two good tyres as best you can, then find a place that does second hand tyres.
Then you can get CV's now and replace all four tyres when they need it.
Daza.

Damned67 · Post by **Damned67** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 9:46 pm

Are the Sub's running LSD diffs?

Regardless, if I have to buy 4 new AND a pair of CVs, I will.... Better safe than sorry. That new fishing outfit I had my eye on might just have to wait

Cheers!

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 9:48 pm

Nah Outback doesnt have LSD unless optioned.
Cheers
AP

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 8:52 am

If anything to go on , with new L Series part time 4WD, 4WD is easier (way easier, soft snick in and out) to select in and out on dirt, wet tar, and even dry tar when I finally fitted four tyres in as new condition all same size and brand AS BRANDS DIFFER even though same size. Whereas before, mixes of tyre brands and wear rates on two cars, same box, was , well a bit of a concern for the box. It was behaving as if I'd already wound the diffs up , even on loose dirt !!

see my sig?

Damned67 · Post by **Damned67** » Wed Mar 10, 2010 10:06 pm

OK, so it's going to be 4 all round.
Any suggestions on tyres?
With all the Km's I do (about 40-50,000 per year), I need something with good wear. So far, the most 'off road' I've done is a 12km unsealed road into a camp ground, and dragging the boat in and out of a muddy/rocky boat ramp. That said, I've done the same trip towing the boat with my old Holden Nova, and it pulled the boat in and out of the same spot without too much problem.
So, I don't really need All Terrain tyres. They'd be nice, but if they're a lot more expensive, and wear quicker, then I might just settle with a decent set of 'road' tyres.
Any suggestions/input/recommendations?
Cheers!

Abaddon · Post by **Abaddon** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 1:38 am

I use Kumho dirt and snow, and do most of my driving on sealed roads but go offroad as often as I can.

215/70 R15s are what I have now, and you may not be able to fit them (I fitted them just after installing a 1inch lift kit). Before them I used the same tyre, but 205s. They've never let me down, regardless of the conditions.