'98 v70 AWD flat tire

Discussion in 'Volvo V70' started by theo.chan, Jul 13, 2006.

  1. theo.chan

    theo.chan Guest

    I had the bad luck of having a flat on my 98 V70 AWD. This is the model
    with the viscous coupling that can be damaged by mismatches in tire
    diameter.

    I am using 205/55/16 Michelin MXV4s, and have taken the following
    action so far:

    i) the flat (passenger front) was replaced with the exact same tire,
    brand new, having 10/32" of tread depth.
    the driver's front was at 13/64" of tread depth, and the two rear tires
    at 7/32" of tread depth.

    ii) I have rotated the two rear tires up front, so that both passenger
    front and driver's front are at 7/32", and rotated the two front tires
    back so the rear driver's tire is 13/64" and rear passenger's 10/32".
    All tires are inflated to the same PSI.

    To summarize the tire diameters:
    driver's front 7/32" (formerly driver's rear)
    passenger's front 7/32" (formerly passenger's rear)
    driver's rear 13/64" (formerly driver's front)
    passenger's rear 10/32" (new tire).

    I understand that the system is very sensitive to differences in tire
    diameter and asking the dealer, they indicated that the tolerance is
    within 3/32" of wear. My concern is that the new tire, at 10/32" is
    7/64" larger than the smallest tire (13/64"), which is 1/64" (0.5/32")
    over the recommended tolerance.

    Do you think that the difference in diameter is severe enough to damage
    the viscous coupling in the car?

    What would your recommended tire placement be based on the diameters
    listed?

    Thank you for your help.
     
    theo.chan, Jul 13, 2006
    #1
  2. theo.chan

    Mike F Guest

    This seems to be too great a difference. Also, the larger tires should
    be on the front. Try to find a shop that specializes in high
    performance tires, they'll have the equipment to shave down your new
    tire.

    --
    Mike F.
    Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

    Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
    (But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)
     
    Mike F, Jul 14, 2006
    #2
  3. theo.chan

    klh in VA Guest

    from a recent posting here:
    twice i've had a tire go out and had to buy a new one. i got a fierce
    lecture from a service writer when i had replaced only two (the bad plus
    its mate) that i needed to replace all four. i don't know how close the
    rules really are but the email above puts the fear in me. a whole new
    set of tires was 4500 or so and a lot less than $2980 or more!

    besides 7/32 is about 60% or more worn. buy three more and ask for the
    set price!
     
    klh in VA, Jul 14, 2006
    #3
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