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Peter Maclaren
Experienced User
Username: ludo

Post Number: 21
Registered: 4-2009
Posted on Monday, 05 November, 2012 - 10:21:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

At a recent WOF inspection it was discovered that one of the Avon tyres on my Spirit 22650, has a slight bulge in the wall. Although all tyres have treads almost like new, I have no idea as to their age as they were on the car when I bought it 4 years ago. I read from this forum that tyres should be replaced at about 4 years of age, although I must confess to having run tyres for much longer on previous vehicles.Perhaps I have just been lucky so far .
My problem is that I don't want to buy more Avons, mainly because of the cost and the fact that as the car is not a daily driver, I am never likely to wear them out.
The tyre size 235/70/15 is a bit of a rarity here in NZ, but 235/75/15 is available and do forum members consider this a suitable replacement. Also I assume that the load rating would need to be simmilar, but the brands I have been able to find ie Cooper and Maxxis have a suitable load rating, but only a T speed rating which is still well in excess of our legal speed limit anyway.
I am keen to have tyres with the white band and the Cooper and Maxxis seem to be the only ones with this feature.
I would appreciate any advice and recommendations
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Brian Vogel
Prolific User
Username: guyslp

Post Number: 130
Registered: 6-2009
Posted on Monday, 05 November, 2012 - 10:59:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Peter,

As long as you have a load rating of 100 or above you're well within what's needed for a Silver Spirit. Most 235/70 or 235/75R15s have load ratings of at least 105, though I've seen the occasional 102, and some have XL versions with a 108 load rating.

If you have speed limits in your country then I can't imagine any tire that would fit these cars not having speed ratings that would be well in excess of your legal limits.

Having a load rating of above 100 is critical. Having any speed rating that is in excess of what you know that you routinely drive for sustained periods of time is all that is necessary.

Hankook Tires sells the Optimo H724 in 235/70R15 with whitewalls that meet your requirements and have a 108 load rating. I recently recommended these to someone here in the US who wanted to replace a set of lousy old Avons and this was his commentary afterwards:

We put a set of the Optimo H724 tires on David’s Spur today and they ride very nicely…quiet and smooth. A 1000% improvement over the Avons.

Thanks again for the tip on them, I think they are an even better choice than the Mileage plus II tires being a heavier load rated tire and they seem to have a nicer ride. I went with 32 psi in the front and 36 in the rear which seem fine.


If they're sold where you are they are worth considering.

Brian
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Jan Forrest
Grand Master
Username: got_one

Post Number: 413
Registered: 1-2008
Posted on Monday, 05 November, 2012 - 19:11:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Until I was made an offer I couldn't refuse (4 almost new whitewalls already on Shadow rims for GBP200) I was running on general Grabbers. They really stick to the road and have a very aggressive tread pattern that nevertheless doesn't cause a lot of tyre noise.
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Bill Coburn
Moderator
Username: bill_coburn

Post Number: 1449
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Monday, 05 November, 2012 - 20:50:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Peter/

Coincidentally, today I fitted two new tyres to my '84 Spur. They were Mastercraft steel belted Radial white walls P225 x 75R15's. I had a pair of these on the front wheels for perhaps 25K these had run perfectly so they went on the back and the new ones on the front. A wheel alignment will occur next week.

The correct tyre as per the handbook is 235/70 HR15. These were available for a few years this century in OZ from Coopers - the US manufacturers who incidentally (it is reported) have taken over AVON!!! For reasons unknown these were no longer imported into Australia but the 225x70 replaced it. The latter are more than satisfactory for load speed etc. Another tyre that was very popular here was the 235x75 which looked great but required a small back off of the accelerator as the tyre gave a small speedo error.

I remember these problems with the old cross ply tyres for the Mk VI Bentley, Silver Dawns which I think were supposed to have 6.70X16. These were discontinued and experiments with different tyres have continued ever since. If you Google 'Tyre specifications or dimensions' you can get a better understanding of the variations. Meanwhile confidentially fit the Mastercraft units but do not exceed 240 kph for long periods!!!!
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Nigel Johnson
Frequent User
Username: nigel_johnson

Post Number: 93
Registered: 12-2008
Posted on Tuesday, 06 November, 2012 - 00:51:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Could 225x75R15's be fitted to a 1971 Corniche?
Regards, Nigel.
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Richard Treacy
Grand Master
Username: richard_treacy

Post Number: 2697
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Tuesday, 06 November, 2012 - 11:16:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Nigel,

That 225.75x15 tyre will fit fine, has the correct rolling diameter, and is a better choice than 235.75x15 which is too large in diameter for all Crewe cars. 235.75x15 is a bad choice and would probably scrub on many cars built before 1974 when the 235.70x15 was introduced as the standard size. In fact, 225.75x15 is an improvement over the 235.70x15s on all these cars as the SY 6” or SZ 6½” rims are so skinny: Crewe has always been criticised for using rims too skinny for their tyres until the 7½" rims were introduced on the Turbo R, and even they are a bit narrow for 255.65x15s etc.

235.70x15 will fit all cars from Silver Clouds onwards, although they are a tight fit in some cars' wheel wells. 225.75x15 is a good size all round as it has the correct diameter and allows for enough clearance for the rubber-mounted subframes to shift around.

By the way, Cooper owns and manufactures Avon and Mastercraft tyres, along with the Dean and Starfire brands.

RT.
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Nigel Johnson
Frequent User
Username: nigel_johnson

Post Number: 94
Registered: 12-2008
Posted on Tuesday, 06 November, 2012 - 17:44:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Thanks very much Richard.
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Peter Maclaren
Experienced User
Username: ludo

Post Number: 22
Registered: 4-2009
Posted on Wednesday, 07 November, 2012 - 07:10:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Many thanks to all for your invaluable advice.
I have decided to buy a set of Cooper 235.75.15 tyres,as I have used them previously on a Shadow, and they performed well and looked very nice. The Mastercraft tyre seems to be Aus only, even though they have a NZ website, and as Richards says, Cooper owns Avon and Mastercraft.
A single Avon here is priced at close to $700.00,
whereas four Coopers cost $960.00 fitted and balanced. For the driving I do they will be more than adequate. Bills suggests not exceeding 240k's for too long- exceeding 110k's here incurs heavy penalties, and during holiday periods the margin is reduced to 4k's over the limit and is is strictly enforced.Had the Coopers not been available I would have 'gone with' Brians's suggestion of the Hankook.
On a totally different topic, after reading the article in TeeOne regarding thermostats, I purchased and modified,then fitted a Stant 13558.The temperature guage still reads pretty much the same, approximately one third up the scale, but as the thermostat cost only $25.00 US and probably won't need changing in my lifetime I consider it a good move.
Thanks again
Peter
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Peter Talbot
Prolific User
Username: squerryes

Post Number: 163
Registered: 7-2010
Posted on Wednesday, 07 November, 2012 - 08:09:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Been away so only just got up to speed on this Thread. 32psi front and 36psi rear sounds rather high. I put a complete set of new Avons on my 1986 Spirit last year with 24psi front and 28psi rear as per original RR specifications.

Peter
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Richard Treacy
Grand Master
Username: richard_treacy

Post Number: 2700
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Wednesday, 07 November, 2012 - 09:04:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Peter, you run on flat tyres !! 24psi is ridiculous. I have never run lower than 35psi front and 38psi rear on our 1972 T-Series, 235.70x15, on Avon CR27s ages ago (what a mistake of a tyre in the 1970s, let alone in this millennium) then Bridgestones (nice until they were discontinued) now on Hankooks (cheap and cheerful but they are discontinued now too). On our later Bentleys I run 40/44 psi (2.75/3 Bar) - first Avon CR227 rubbish, then superb Michelins, Nokians and Maxxis.

RT.
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Peter Talbot
Prolific User
Username: squerryes

Post Number: 164
Registered: 7-2010
Posted on Wednesday, 07 November, 2012 - 09:56:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Richard

My tyres aren't flat!!! The pressures are fully compliant with those specified in the original Owner's Handbook and on the Specification Plate on the back of the glove box cover.

Too late tonight (it's coming up to midnight in the UK) but I'll follow up this post with more info next day.

Discussion is Good for the Soul!!!

Peter
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Richard Treacy
Grand Master
Username: richard_treacy

Post Number: 2704
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Wednesday, 07 November, 2012 - 10:41:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Indeed the tyre pressures you quote are by the book. That is, the Crewe book. Do ask some independent tyre specialists what they think about the figures. You may be surprised ! Also ask them about a suitable rim width for a 235.70x15 tyre. When asked an engineer at Michelin he winced about Crewe concerning the skinny rims and especially the silly pressures R-R used to insist upon. You may Google a rim size and find a typical tyre manufacturer’s recommendation of 7” to 8½” for a 235mm tyre for example, whereas Crew used just 6” then 6½” for the 235s.

People in Australia may remember the Kleber Tyre debacle a few decades ago. Car manufacturers were recommending just 28psi for comfort. After a few fatalities due to tyres overheating and rupturing, Kleber insisted that the tyres be inflated to at least 34psi. Kleber disappeared as their reputation was destroyed here.

RT.
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Peter Talbot
Prolific User
Username: squerryes

Post Number: 165
Registered: 7-2010
Posted on Wednesday, 07 November, 2012 - 12:28:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Richard - now I'm getting really confused !!

The 5 new tyres(4 running + 1 spare)I had fitted to my 1986 Spirit are: Avon 235/70 HR 15.

The original Owner's Handbook and the "in car" plate says Front 1.7 bar, Rear 2.0 bar so this is what I've used.

The ride is just fine and road-holding on sharp bends is good for a rear wheel drive car of this age.

Having said all that, I'll get expert advice from Kinghams (the MD - Keith Kingham - is a personal friend).

Peter
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Brian Crump
Prolific User
Username: brian_crump

Post Number: 118
Registered: 2-2007
Posted on Wednesday, 07 November, 2012 - 18:56:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

I have no issues with the Avons on my Spirit II but I have never had anything else on it to compare. However, I do run them at 36 all round for normal driving and like to take them up to 38 for sustained driving. My tyre placard advises 29 all round - at which point it's like driving an American mush-mobile.
There is an old Pirelli trick to picking the correct pressure for the way you drive. If your hot/cold pressure has increased by about 3 lbs after a high speed drive then you're cold pressuer was correct. If it increases by more then the tyre has flexed, heated and increased the pressure so you need to go higher for the original pressure. Maybe true - maybe not but it seems to work for me.
Regards,
Brian
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Peter Talbot
Prolific User
Username: squerryes

Post Number: 166
Registered: 7-2010
Posted on Wednesday, 07 November, 2012 - 22:16:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Richard

I bow down in shame and stand corrected. Things have moved on and it is evident I'm well out of date - put it down to senile decay.

I asked Kinghams for advice and they consulted with the specialist tyre supplier they use:

Recommended tyre pressures for a 1986 Spirit fitted with the specified Avons are:

Front: 32psi / 2.3 bar
Rear: 34psi / 2.4 bar

Looks like I need to put a bit more air in all round.

Peter
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Jordan Devine
New User
Username: jordan_devine

Post Number: 3
Registered: 12-2007
Posted on Wednesday, 07 November, 2012 - 23:19:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

I also had tyre considerations when I put on 18" by 9.5" Bentley Continental T wheels on my Turbo R, as these wheels are deeper than all standard wheels. You are meant to put 285/45 x 18 tyres on, however they will rub at the rear. One solution is to add spacers, but another that I have is to get skinnier tyres. I have 255/45 x ZR18 on them and they don't rub.

And by the way, my wheels are currently yellow - check them out @ http://www.bentleyspotting.com/2012/09/1500th-post-and-my-bentley-gets-yellow.html
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Peter Maclaren
Experienced User
Username: ludo

Post Number: 23
Registered: 4-2009
Posted on Thursday, 08 November, 2012 - 07:27:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

I too have been maintaining my tyre pressures in accordance with the 'incar plate' and the handbook. This specifies 24 front and 28 rear up to 180kph.
As I am never likely to reach that speed I have kept the pressure to that level.
Perhaps the lower pressure is responsible for the early demise of the tyre wall. As I am about to fit a new set of Cooper tyres I will need dependable advice on the appropriate pressure for them. Thanks in advance.
Peter
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Peter Talbot
Prolific User
Username: squerryes

Post Number: 167
Registered: 7-2010
Posted on Thursday, 08 November, 2012 - 07:51:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

I've just finished bumping up my tyre pressures:

Front: 32psi/2.3bar
Rear: 34psi/2.4bar

I'll take the car out for a run on Thursday and report back on how it performs with these new tyre pressures.

Peter
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Brian Vogel
Prolific User
Username: guyslp

Post Number: 132
Registered: 6-2009
Posted on Thursday, 08 November, 2012 - 08:53:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Your best bet is to check to see what your tire manufacturer recommends as the inflation pressure based upon the weight the tire will have to carry.

I have always used pressures near to what Peter reports above, but a tad higher but not quite so high as Richard Treacy notes.

For these cars the Crewe specified inflations are just ridiculous and the amount of sidewall flex caused isn't good. Regardless of what an automobile manufacturer might have recommended as correct inflation pressure you really need to see what the tire manufacturer says for tires you're buying and the weight they're going to carry. I don't think a single one recommends the figures Crewe gave for cars as heavy as ours are, and for obvious reasons.

Brian
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Chris Buckenham
Experienced User
Username: chris_buckenham

Post Number: 27
Registered: 6-2012
Posted on Friday, 09 November, 2012 - 04:57:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Brian , you are entirely correct about the effects of pressure change due to heating when a tyre is "driven" , and 3 to 5 psi is exactly what can be expected in general . This is the main reason that nitrogen is used in tyres on racing cars .
Best regards
Chris .
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Peter Talbot
Prolific User
Username: squerryes

Post Number: 168
Registered: 7-2010
Posted on Friday, 09 November, 2012 - 07:26:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

I was previously confused and then got in a total quandary but have determined:

Having set my Avons to: 32psi Front and 34psi Rear I went out and about. All OK on the A21 Sevenoaks By-Pass (where there are no speed cameras so I could put my foot down) but a very different story in Croydon. Croydon Borough Council must have bought a job lot of speed bumps as the place is littered with them. With my previous tyre pressues I just went over them without even noticing but with the new higher tyre pressures it was a most uncomfortable experience.

Flat tyres or not, I'm going back to my old low tyre pressures because they suit me.

Peter
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Bill Coburn
Moderator
Username: bill_coburn

Post Number: 1450
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Friday, 09 November, 2012 - 10:46:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Now that Peter has 'come out' about his tyre pressures I feel free to talk about my problem (with the tyres that is)! I too have blindly followed the incar label recommendations since I am a little paranoid about specs revealed in an accident. I have the impression that international legislators and their highly qualified ilk of specialists impressed the Factory sufficiently to force them to list the pressures shown in the incar plate! I note that the handbook emphasises that those pressures recommended are a minimum, only to be increased for driving at very high speeds. On my Spur there is a further direction to the effect that there has to be a 4 lb difference between front and rear.

Taking the advice of the local tyre fitter worries me. His interest is getting the shoes on, getting paid and getting you out of the shop. And it is my experience that the tyre manufacturers do not like you calling up head office to ask their advice - the first obstacle is finding their phone number and location and hopefully finding someone to talk to with an apparent IQ higher that the prevailing room temperature.

I am intrigued at the confidence of owners of Turbos and Corniches that switch their tyres to non-factory specs. Presumably the recommended tyres are to cater for Autobahren (sp) speeds but
since 95% of these cars potter around our very limited-speed roads at rates that would barely raise any temperatures and since at my last sortie in this area, the cost of the correct Avons represented the total cost of four conventional tyres. Some owners fit a 'conventional' tyre, but there is my nagging thought that in the event of a failure, the legal battalions could have a field day.

Anyway my problem is quite different if not related, the bloody valve stems - reportedly the longest available are a good 20mm too short to apply an inflator nozzle. The new valve stems fitted are some 61mm overall and according to the local Tyre 'specialist' longer ones are simply not made. I do not want to use valve extenders so I have to take the wheel trims off to check my tyres - not a procedure relished by an ageing enthusiast.
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Peter Talbot
Prolific User
Username: squerryes

Post Number: 169
Registered: 7-2010
Posted on Friday, 09 November, 2012 - 13:28:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Bill, it's good to know that your problem is only with tyres as otherwise we might get a bit worried.

In the UK the speed limit on M roads is 70mph (the M25 is the longest car park in the world and often 5mph is real good), on dual A roads it's 60mph, and on others it varies from 50mph through 40mph to 30mph and even 20mph. In the SE of England there are speed cameras with automatic number plate recognition all over the place. I just got fined and with 3 points on my licence for doing 53mph in a 50mph zone. In consequence we do tend to "potter around" at very moderate speeds.

Can't understand about your valve stem length problem - your local tyre "specialist" is ill-informed - go somewhere else !!

Peter
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Jan Forrest
Grand Master
Username: got_one

Post Number: 416
Registered: 1-2008
Posted on Friday, 09 November, 2012 - 21:13:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

It's been a very long time since I worked as a tyre fitter (or at all for that matter). Back then tyre valves could be obtained in 3 lengths from 'stubby' barely 25mm long, 'standard' around 40 mm long and 'long' which could be as much as 60 or 70 mm long. Unless specifically requested by the customer or to replace the old ones like-for-like we would just chuck standard ones in. There were even brass ones (straight or angled) meant for certain alloy wheels which could still be fitted to steel wheels and were even longer , but cost quite a bit more than the rubber ones.

Incidently the cheap whitewalls I obtained last year are cooper Lifeline Classics in the standard fitment of 235/70 15. So far apart from one losing a bit of pressure they've worked out quite nicely.
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Peter Talbot
Prolific User
Username: squerryes

Post Number: 173
Registered: 7-2010
Posted on Tuesday, 13 November, 2012 - 09:53:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Flying Spares have now got 235/70 x 15 Avon White Wall Tyre (RH3107P) in stock.

Price is £160.00 (Excl.VAT, £192.00 (Incl.VAT)

Bearing in mind my previous problems with tread de-lamination, I'll check out the date of manufacture of these tyres. 5 tyres at £192.00 each is a total of £960.00 plus ? delivery charge and I don't want to waste money on tyres coming up to their "sell-by-date".

Peter
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James Feller
Prolific User
Username: james_feller

Post Number: 243
Registered: 5-2008
Posted on Wednesday, 14 November, 2012 - 11:30:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

just to make a quick comment on this as I hated the mushy handling on my 86 Spirit, it too has the Avon Turbosteels. The recommend pressures were so low that every time you went into car parks or around roundabouts it would squeal and sound like an hitchcock soundtrack....
I run them at 35psi all round and notice a huge improvement in the handling and deportment of the car. However I will say I used to drop the pressure to 32psi if I drove for sustained periods on the freeway. Spirit owners will know the frighteningly LIGHT steering feel on the cars and frankly I used to get very worried about the little to no steering feel when the tires were about 35psi on freeways....in fact I don't miss the car at all on freeways, it was a lovely car to potter around in and the suspension was devine at about 80klms....but any kind of enthusastic driving above 110-120klms was normally a white knuckled terrifing expirence. Vastly different to my Turbo RL, now that is the DRIVERS car!!!! i am a tad bias though.....
upshot, run the Avons at around 32-35 psi. it will help with longevity and make the sloppy suspended Spirit a much nicer car to drive....
J
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David Gore
Moderator
Username: david_gore

Post Number: 1156
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Wednesday, 14 November, 2012 - 12:02:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Hi James,

Have you considered upgrading the anti-roll bars and shock absorbers to Turbo R specification? Might be time to check out Robert Chapman's upgrade kits:

http://www.rachapmanautomotive.com.au/parts.htm

What I would be interested in is whether anyone has found a way to increase the feedback from the steering by reducing the boost from the power steering pump or by other means. The standard feedback is too low for safety [like the recommended tyre pressures]as far as I am concerned.
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Richard Treacy
Grand Master
Username: richard_treacy

Post Number: 2711
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Wednesday, 14 November, 2012 - 12:32:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

David,

The most feasible way to increase steering feel is to modify the spool valve by fitting a Bentley torsion rod. The torsion rod is the device which directs the fluid to one valve or the other in the spool valve assembly to provide the power assistance. One end of the rod connects to the steering column, and the other has the pinion of the rack and pinion steering system. The spool valve can, of course, be removed without removing the rack itself. However, it is not a big job to remove the rack and it is easier to set up the gear mesh on the bench. The best time to firm up the steering with a new torsion rod is of course when the rack is being overhauled to attend to those inevitable and ubiquitous fluid leaks.

By the way, James, do I recall correctly that the spool valve upgraded to the Bentley specification on your Silver Spirit ?

RT.
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James Feller
Prolific User
Username: james_feller

Post Number: 244
Registered: 5-2008
Posted on Wednesday, 14 November, 2012 - 13:30:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

David, my Spirit being an 86' model did have torsion bars stiffened by factory, only a trifle though... it also has bilstiens up front. I put a new rack on few years back when the original started leaking. I know this rack was 'stiffened' as i could feel the difference...yes RT you recall correctly that the one I had put on the Rolls was indeed much better and gave better feel than the original one. I'm not sure if it was a 'Turbo spec' one though. In any case it did make a hell of a difference in the 'road feel' of the Rolls. Ie for my tastes I like to know that there are 4 wheels firmly on the road. I'm not saying I want bone shattering hardness in my Crewe cars...leave that to BMW and Porsche...
My preference is for 'feel confidence' on motorways that 4 wheels are there!!!. The original set-up on my Rolls was far to light for my tastes, couple this with the stupid Crewe recommendation for low tyre pressures and you get a spongy no feel car on a motorway....this is NOT pleasant...I have no idea how people ever drove them on autobahns with any confidence...I used to back off at 120klms as the car just used to be so desensatised....no float or wallow really, just you had no feeling from the steering system.... i found it very disconcerting.
MY Turbo RL I believe has the steering feel correct, sure its not 'heavy' but you absolutley know there are 4 wheels in touch with the road. Now before anyone says it...I know our Bentleys are set-up differently, they are much more stiffly sprung, have much more roll bar stiffness, reduced steering pump assistance and a panhard rod at the rear to keep the tail low and straight. So yes, Bentleys do handle light years better than their Roller siblings.
Peter, its my opinion only, to increase the crazy crewe specified low pressures for the tyres on your car and get a better handling car and more feel and wear from your tyres.

Cheers

J
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David Gore
Moderator
Username: david_gore

Post Number: 1157
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Wednesday, 14 November, 2012 - 17:15:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Richard, thanks for the memory jog. I had forgotten about the torsion rod - I had contact with Arthur Bishop in the early 1970's when he was perfecting his variable ratio power steering system regarding material selection for the torsion rod in this system. In the lste 1970's, I had further contact with his engineers when they were modifying a steering unit for use in the Kevin Bartlett Camaro Z28 to be raced in the Australian Touring Car Championship. To the best of my knowledge, this was the first race car to use variable ratio steering.

My request about improving steering feed back was mainly directed towards the power-assisted steering fitted to the Shadows prior to the adoption of rack and pinion steering.
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Jan Forrest
Grand Master
Username: got_one

Post Number: 417
Registered: 1-2008
Posted on Wednesday, 14 November, 2012 - 19:38:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

This talk of sterring feedback reminds me of the V12 XJS I used to own back in the 80's. Although all the pundits claimed that the wheel was just dead in their hands I could always tell what was happening down below. However this wasn't as easy as it sounds since the steering was so light that you could steer - even at quite low speeds - with just one finger! On the motorway this could lead to overconfidence. With the legal limit in Blighty being just 70mph (110kph) this was less of a problem than on the German Autobahns.
However one night as I was proceeding at sa leisurely pace just shy of 3 figures I hit something that blew out a rear tyre. By the time I came to a halt - in a dead straight line - the steel belts in the tyre had shredded the inner and outer wheel arch on that side. Fortunately the insurance covered the whole cost.
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Peter Talbot
Prolific User
Username: squerryes

Post Number: 176
Registered: 7-2010
Posted on Thursday, 15 November, 2012 - 09:08:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Flying Spares advise me that the date of manufacture of the Avon White Walls they currently have in stock is between week 46/2011 and week 34/2012. Their quote for 5 is a bit better than I had anticipated and with only a £25.00 delivery charge to Kent, UK.

The question I now have to ask myself is: do I really want to spend this sum to replace the standard black wall tyres I had put on only just recently for purely cosmetic reasons?

Peter
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James Feller
Prolific User
Username: james_feller

Post Number: 245
Registered: 5-2008
Posted on Thursday, 15 November, 2012 - 09:56:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Avons look the part Peter, see my Rolls below, whitewall Avons I have always liked on my Rolls. However its completely subjective and your call re Avons. Noone on here could possibly tell you they are a 'better tyre' than what you purchased, Avons are quiet and have good grip...yes, though as noone drives a Spirit with any real 'enthusiam' again whats 'handling and grip' in a Spirit...hahhaha. Avons are a very 'OLD' design....on your question its yours alone to decide mate...

J

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Peter Talbot
Prolific User
Username: squerryes

Post Number: 178
Registered: 7-2010
Posted on Thursday, 15 November, 2012 - 10:10:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

James

Obvious I didn't make myself clear - my current recently fitted set of standard black wall tyres are indeed Avons, I'm just missing the whitewall cosmetic effect. Like the photo - looks just like mine with Ice Green paintwork.

Peter
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Brian Crump
Prolific User
Username: brian_crump

Post Number: 119
Registered: 2-2007
Posted on Thursday, 15 November, 2012 - 16:28:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

No-one drives a Spirit with any real enthusiasm? James, I must take you for a little trip to the countryside....
I do admit, though, that when I get back into my 4WD Benz after using the Spirit it feels like I have just stepped into a Formula 1 race car...
Regards,
Brian
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James Feller
Prolific User
Username: james_feller

Post Number: 246
Registered: 5-2008
Posted on Thursday, 15 November, 2012 - 21:11:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

ill race you Brian...3 hours Mudgee to Sydney... my Bentley Turbo RL does it NO PROBS!!

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James Feller
Prolific User
Username: james_feller

Post Number: 247
Registered: 5-2008
Posted on Thursday, 15 November, 2012 - 21:17:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

assuming neither of us get caught by Office PLOD that is....

I blame a rather well known and knowlegable Grand Master on this forum for my ludicous behaviour and the cars tremendous performance, the old blue brute belts along, just love it!

:-)

Cheers

J
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Richard Treacy
Grand Master
Username: richard_treacy

Post Number: 2718
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Thursday, 15 November, 2012 - 21:33:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Careful. This is Feller doing an unimaginable rate of knots tailgating a white van at Molong on the way to Sydney a few weeks ago. He did the Big Swoop seconds later to blast towards Bathurst.

He cooled down a little later on.
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John Wright
Unregistered guest
Posted From: 124.170.114.29
Posted on Tuesday, 20 November, 2012 - 07:05:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

I found that the steering effort on my Shadow II ( SRH 35475) was far too light so when the steering rack leaked, I purchased a second hand Turbo R rack. I had this overhauled by a local Brisbane shop and the result has been a much better "feel" and much longer life ( an adaptor kit is also required to fit the new rack) Added to stiffer anti roll bars (front and rear) this car really handles well and is fun to drive as my every day car ( 637,000 kms). Tyre pressure I use is 34psi all round, on Mastercraft tyres.
I also changed the rack and anti roll bars on my Corniche III (ADL or LCD 30001) with similar improvement. The CIII runs Avons as per the original specification but has only done 88,000kms as a "special occasions" car

(Message approved by david_gore)