RE: Wider tires on the front!

[Brendan <bman@swva.net>]

>So, yes, it does cause extra wear, but no, it isn't a whole lot.  It isn't
>noticeable in regular street driving, but if you lock the centre diff, you
>will have a hard time unlocking the diff. 

Ok.. locking the center diff is a whole different ballgame.  With different
diameter tires front/rear, locking the center causes extra wear throughout
the driveline, and the tires.  Like vehicles such as Jeeps and 4wheel
trucks, where the transfer case is specifically designed to deliver
different speeds to the front and rear tires, the more traction you have,
the more stress on the driveline and tires.  In such vehicles, especially
when you turn on pavement, you can really feel the tires being forced by
the transfer case to slip on the road.  I've never locked the center diff
on my Audi during dry weather on pavement, but I've also only had it since
February this year, and haven't taken it to a track.  With the center diff
unlocked, I really don't think there's much need for concern with a >2%
difference in diameter between front/rear.  Locking the center diff on dry
pavement, however, is a whole different story.

Brendan

>Later, 
>Graydon D. Stuckey 
>'89 Thunderbird SuperCoupe
>'86 Audi 5000 CS Quattro
>'86 Mazda RX7 GXL 2+2
>'85 Mazda RX7 GS
>