Changed to taller tires: suspension problem!

I wanted all terrain tires for my 94 previa (that normally take 215 65 R15) and the nearest available size (215 75 R15) are about two inches taller and one inch thinner than stock tires. I was not able to fit the new tire in the front so I decided to install on the rear while I figured how to proceed in the front. So the front remained stock.

Later, on the highway while changing lanes I noticed that the rear end of the van wants to wip (follow the direction of the front tires) into the next lane; the rear seems to be over sensitive to a lane change.

Is this caused by the front tires having a wider foot print than the rear. I am hoping this problem will go away once I install the same tires in the front. Or does this have to do with the center of gravity being higher.

 

You cant mix and match tires. Some vehicles have such a close tolerance you cannot use a larger tire. Use whatever tire is on the veh OR look on the door and see if there is even an alternate tire. Your speedo will no doubt be off and no telling what else the computer system will do. I cant imagine not being able to duplicate the tie size even in an all terrain. With that veh,why did you decide to go A/T anyhow. The whipping you describe is because of mismatch front and back, tire design. This will throw entire suspension into a frenzie. Get the right size tires.

 

Hope it's not all wheel drive!

You will cook the center diff

Larry

 

I agree you should not do this type of thing.A previa is not an off road vehicle and the closest tire size in p metric conversion is 195/75r15 which was discontinued way back.A 205/70r15 may be closer but you would need all 4 at the same time.The oe tire is the best and most prudent option.If other tires were options the owners manual would state it.

 

It sounds like I can solve the problem by getting the front suspension to accept the P215 75 R15. Then the front and rear tires would match.

The van is rear wheel drive and I like the traction of AT tires in the outdoors; such tires are not available in the vehicle manufacture recommended sizes.

 

What on earth are you trying to do. This is a TERRIBLE idea. You don't have an "all terrain " vehicle. why are you surprised they don't make all terrain tires for it? Your going to get somebody killed doing that insanity. I hope you don't have ABS on that either. You just can't do things like that to cars these days. They are engineered taking many factors into consideration for those tires, you need to "at bare mininum" maintain the same overall height. too many things depend on it, not least of which is the suspension.

 

Cars and trucks are raised and lowered all the time. They all can not be unsafe.

It does have ABS.

 

Evidently you do not approve of the sensible explanations as to why you should not pursue this tire switch. So do what you so desire with it. In my opinion, somewhere down the line you will probably suffer the consequences. Sorry you did not get the positive feedback that you wanted.

 

ABS has nothing to do with it, ABS prevents wheel lockup when you are braking on ice or other slippery surfaces, it won't help with traction or ANYTHING else and it doesn't even nessesarily make you stop faster, all it does is lets you keep control, you throw that out the window with improper tires...

 

Most ABS systems will really "dislike" different size tires, especially different diameter ones. Some tires also tend to "follow the leader" so to speak, in the sense that they don't like to change dirrection so much. You also have a pretty tall and narrow van, even a minor change will be felt. Narrower tires make this worse. Is your allignment ok?

 

Bottom line of all this:

Use the stock tire size. No need or reason to deviate. You are asking for problems by going away from this size.

 

I'm afraid I'm going to have to greatly disagree with you on that one. Abs systems read wheel speed through tire revolutions at each wheel to determine if a wheel is locking up. Different tire sizes with have different speed sensor readings and if the brake is not applied, the ABS module with think it has bad speed sensors and disable the ABS system.

Changing tire height on a passenger vehicle (not all terrain vehicle) is a BAD BAD IDEA.

 

Cool, you are more knowledgable than me. So in any case, changing wheel size messes up the ABS in one way or another

 

Sounds hokey to me your speed will be off for one thing you will also lose power going bigger.Dont hit a dip you might take out your wheel well looks like more cons then pros.You might have to cut wheel well to fit tires or get a lift kit.

 

You didn't mention your location, jatjat; do a lot of driving on dirt or gravel roads, mud, snow? Just wondering since you said previously, "I like the traction of AT tires in the outdoors". Keep in mind that AT tires will give you less traction and control on pavement.

IMHO vehicles that have been raised/lowered ARE all unsafe; the degree of hazard just depends on how severe the raising or lowering.

My $.02 worth.

 

Tow guy I agree on the safety issue.My cousin would also,see several years ago he pulled up to a stop sign and a lifted truck come around a turn didn.t see his car(because of height of truck)his son now resides in heaven.PRETTY NICE WHEN YOUR VEHICLE LOOKS COOL.Nuff said.

 

I often wonder about the legality of some of the more extreme stuff. Saw a pickup truck a while back in the local supermarket parking lot while I was picking up another vehicle and the front bumper was, I kid you not, about chest high on me. Wouldn't want to meet him going the opposite direction on a winding road on a dark rainy night. The world's full of all kinds of idiots.

 

Here in Ill. seems a few years ago when there was an era of extremes in height, there was a law governing the ht. of bumper to ground. Seen officials get out and measure. But I have not heard much about that any more. Fact is I saw a jeep today in front of me, tires were about 10" outside of wheel wells. I would needed a step ladder to get in it.

 

Stupid...then you have the other extreme with under bodies rubbing on the ground with a car lowered. Stupid, it doesn't even look that great (not when it is lowered to the ground) a lower of an inch or two gives a car a more sporty look, but when the top of the tires cannot be seen inside the wheel wells, well that is quite over the edge...

 

This really hurts I hate to see a classic car like a 65 Impala SS ruined by chopping up the suspension. .These cars are ruined from a point of being a nice classic car to being a freak in a car show.I see some older cars also like 40s being cut up.

 

I lifted a brand new nissan zx the other day and the front springs fell out of the strut because they were cut. If I'm not mistaken, this is over a 40K car, right?
What an idiot!

 

Something like that. Not worth it. LOL.

Most people don't realize that the real world roads aren't the Fast and the Furious.

Altering the suspension/ride height makes it:

1) More prone to bottomingo out/stress on things.
2) Wears things out faster.
3) Makes it ride like crap.
4) Defeats the original design of the vehicle.
5) Make it look butt ugly.

 

You forgot one

It destroys all of the engineered angle and geometry in the suspension that they spend millions to design.

 

.......and you pay thousands to own. LOL.

So we'll throw in #6....

Waste of your money to "reinvent" the wheel.