Submitted by alan.barc@veri… on Sun, 10/02/2011 - 11:26

I need to replace my 205/70/VR15 tires and seem to remember a post that this size only works well with wider rims (6 inch?). How do I determine my rims' width? There seem to be several ways to measure. The inside of these wire wheels are stamped WIL 5K 15 ZW Made In India Under Licence From Dunlop XW 472. Thanks

Submitted by alan.barc@veri… on Sun, 01/15/2012 - 16:27

Thanks Jerry. With the front end rebuilt my next step will be new tires (or should that be tyres?) and an alignment. If I can't find the 185x15 Dunlops, I might try todays 195's rather than the too-big 205's. If those don't resolve the issues it will be on to a wire wheel guy. The shocks incidentally are GAZ fully adjustable and I have tried a variety of settings.

Submitted by jerry@moutons.org on Mon, 01/09/2012 - 13:02

Alan, the 5K 15 in your stamping is a valid rim specification, same as the original. So the width is 5", and few tires fit. If you search tirerack.com, checking tire specifications on each specific tire, you will find a few 205/70-15s that are recommended by their manufacturer for a 5" rim. You will probably find hat the car handles better with the factory recommended 185-15 tires, and most likely the ones you can get are better performance tires than the OK 205/70-15 tires. Wider is not universally better!

You can get the wheel runout and truth checked at a wire wheel specialist, but I doubt that's your handling problem. I'd replace all the suspension rubber in the rear as those can give the car a very wishy-washy feeling when old. I'd replace all the front rubber bushings too and steering mounts (with OEM rubber) at least the ones you have not already replaced.

Which particular shocks you got make a big difference, too. Guess I am not aware of any that are sold to us and are that bad though.

Most important is to get a precision 4-wheel alignment done. Poor alignment can make a huge difference! And this is the cheapest and easiest step.

But I'd bet on suspension rubber. i have driven some absolutely awful E Types and some sparkling ones (mine for example) and the biggest difference has been that suspension and mounting rubber.

Jerry Mouton

Submitted by alan.barc@veri… on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 10:38

Thanks George. I've not been happy with the car's steering and ride in three years of ownership. Completely rebuilt the front (frames, one wishbone, suspension and rack), changed all the shocks and rear springs but still not fully satisfied tho it is much better. Maybe it's those Indian wheels, but a set of Daytons plus tires? Ouch!

Submitted by SE98-32482CJ on Sun, 10/02/2011 - 17:54

Alan from the inner lip of the rim--side to side. You can shoot a tape through there as they only come in 1/2 inch sizes. How do those Indian Dunlops do? All I have encountered were neither round or true.