Wheels

[slobbo]

Not yet new wheels go on next week. I have had my wheels balanced 3 times and still get vibes at around 70. My current rims are 8" wide which is to wide for the tyres. That is part of the reason for the new rims

[syncrosimon]

I tried a set of Toyo a/t's and they needed about a half pound of lead weight to get them right. Where as these Hankooks have needed only one or two rim weights to sort them out. The garage kindly changed them out when he could not get them balanced to my satisfaction.

[slobbo]

The Hankooks were only taking a weight or two when I had them fitted and balanced but as soon as you went on a run they were out of balance. I am hoping it is the fact the rims are wider than the recommended width range for the tyres. I think the new rims will look good. Chunky.

Tell me how do you rate the Kangoo 4x4? Thinking of getting one for my daily.

[syncrosimon]

The kangoo 4x4 is a fantastic bit of kit, it is just a small version of a syncro, and with N-cap 4 star crash rating it's a safe place to be. It has a decoupler controlled by the traction control (front axle only) and a small VC in the rear diff. It has 4 disc brakes, stability and electronic brake distribuition. You can emergency stop antwhere and she always pulls straight.

The 1.6i that I have is a great free revving engine, but thirsty. 30 mpg average. I would only go for the DCi, and chip it.

We have had ours from new, and covered 95,000 miles with no probs. I do need a new prop at 400 quid from GKN as the carrier bearing howl, and you cant dismantle it.

It takes about 30 seconds to turn it from a people carrier to a plastic load bed van.

Could not be without it.

[The BCE]

Those rims will look tasty on the Blue Beast. Hope all is well with you and the van. Had fun and games with the white one. Pockets now drained!

Cheers,

Ben

[slobbo]

Is that with the front sub frame? You said it was up side down or something. Is it all sorted now? Hasn't all been plain sailing with the Blue beast. They certainly aren't cheap to run. There is always something that needs doing. I've still got the diff locks to sort and need to sort out a better arrangement for the air intake. It works. I just want to improve it.

[The BCE]

Is that with the front sub frame? You said it was up side down or something. Is it all sorted now? Hasn't all been plain sailing with the Blue beast. They certainly aren't cheap to run. There is always something that needs doing. I've still got the diff locks to sort and need to sort out a better arrangement for the air intake. It works. I just want to improve it.

Will hopefully all be sorted on Monday. Took it to the garage that Dan (my friend with the two 16s) uses. Asked them to give it a complete health check. Long list of stuff. First part of which is being done next week. Looks like it'll be a little while before I can buy my truck mirrors and get a rear wheel carrier (so that I can remove the plough from the front!). Got myself a Bentley manual for Christmas though

[The BCE]

Is that with the front sub frame?

It was the upper wishbone arm which was on the wrong way up!

[HarryMann]

Not yet new wheels go on next week. I have had my wheels balanced 3 times and still get vibes at around 70.

That'll be bearings, joints, or CVs as like as not, as much as the tyres... My last 4 remaining Machos and Mercs are bent, boogered, and worn but don't vibrate...
Because on the truck pretty well everything should be tight and unworn... I remember balancing tyres on the Tyger repeatedly, to get rid of vibes, and they'd come back within weeks or even days. Pretty sure there's more to this than tyre wear or tyre balance! Rears seem particularly susceptible sometimes.

Yes Simon, we want a Trekka too... but can't afford one yet

Very impressed with the Diesel Bongo (Bingo) we hired on 'au Corniche' a few years back

[slobbo]

New Wheels on, same tyres and no more vibrations. Can only assume it was because the tyres weren't supposed to go on 8" wide Rims. They look great and the sliding door no longer rubs on the rear wheel.

[syncropaddy]

Could also be that you had dicky wheels. I have an issue with one wheel on my S Class Mercedes between 80 and 90 mph. The rim looks perfect and the tyre is brand new but was a b***h to balance. I did a lot of swopping around and it is now the spare but we put the rim on the balancer without the tyre and it was 'out'.

It was suggested by a number of people that I should slow down to cure the problem. Most are out of hospital now but some will be scared for life