need help with tyres

odd · Post by **odd** » Sat Mar 27, 2004 4:32 pm

Does anyone know if 205/55 r16 tyres would fit standard FTO rims? I know that the recommended measurement is 205/50 r16

but yeah.. just considering some cheap secondhand options

d_stroy_r · Post by **d_stroy_r** » Sat Mar 27, 2004 5:05 pm

don't.

I made the mistake of buying cheap tyres and came off second best.

odd · Post by **odd** » Sat Mar 27, 2004 5:44 pm

The problem is I'M BROKE

but gotta keep this baby running before I have some money for real tyres.

payaya · Post by **payaya** » Sun Mar 28, 2004 3:23 am

just get retreads and take it easy.

ruchi · Post by **ruchi** » Sun Mar 28, 2004 12:45 pm

Jeez, we just went from gambling (2nd hand) to death wish (re-treads)

While 2nd hand tyres are risky, in my opinion, re-treads are a definite no! In fact you may well find that your insurance company won't cover you if you have re-treads.

Only go 2nd hand if you absolutely have to, but personally I would NEVER touch a re-tread.

TimmyD · Post by **TimmyD** » Sun Mar 28, 2004 1:32 pm

If yeah in the south eastern melbourne area,
"melbournes Cheapest Tyres" have really good second hand tires and really really cheap.

there number is: 9706 4725
webby: www.melbcheaptyres.com.au
addy: cnr abbots rd and england st. Dandenong south

Cheers
Tim

payaya · Post by **payaya** » Sun Mar 28, 2004 1:59 pm

i never use the retreads, mates do though, ah well live life at the max!

FTO338 · Post by **FTO338** » Sun Mar 28, 2004 7:57 pm

payaya wrote:i never use the retreads, mates do though, ah well live life at the max!

Your friend is not just dangering himself, but others on the road as well. I'm sure most ppl would have seen those blow tyres on the freeway, so think twice

Boris · Post by **Boris** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 12:14 am

Guys, can somebody explain what rethreads are and how they do it?

If they are what i think they are, then this must mean that they are very dangerous! OMG, how can using rethreads be legal?

This is the first time i have ever heard about rethreads... sorry for the dumb question

ruchi · Post by **ruchi** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 12:33 am

There's no such thing as a dumb question, but there most definitely can be dumb answers

Many places that sell re-treads will tell you that they're safe and that it is common practice, they'll even site trucks, buses and airplanes as an example. However there is one really BIG difference: truck, bus and airplane tyres were designed to be re-treaded passenger car tyres were not!

To over-simplify the process, they take a worn car tyre, remove any remaining tread and then stick on a new one. These new treads are often refered to as "gator backs" (for obvious reasons). The big issue is that the binding of the new gator back to the old tyre will never be as good as the original constructed tyre and the tyre may also have other issues which are not visible to the eye. As a tyre is used not only does the tread wear but the overall structure of the tyre becomes weaker, more rigid and more fragile.

I could be wrong, but I'm fairly certain that most insurance companies won't cover you if you have re-treads.

The speed limit of a re-tread tyre is greatly reduced to that of a normal tyre, so to is its strength.

my personal opinion: retread = death wish

Teania · Post by **Teania** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 9:46 am

and speaking as someone who was the victim of a retread incident - if they do decide to shear off - woe betide the poor car behind you..... I had only had my FTO a week when the one of the cars in front of me with retreads decided to "lose" the tread - which ended up shearing my front spoiler in half.....