Front end walking '57....

[sholders442]

I am new to this forum and a new T-bird owner. I recently aquired a black '57 from my father-in-law. He has owned it for 20+ years and it is mostly original and only driven a few times per year. It has 60,000 miles and is very solid. It was repainted in the early 80's, but other than that it is all original inside and out.

When I first recieved the car, I notice that it wandered like I was driving a boat. It wondered at almost any speed I was driving...30mph....60mph, it didn't matter. So I bought a complete frontend kit from Kanter and had it installed along with new shocks. It still seems to be doing the same thing. Could it be the bias-ply tires causing the wandering? Or maybe the steering gear box?

Any suggestions would be more than appreciated!!!!

Mike Sholders

[earlybirdlover]

It's the tires for sure and possibly the alignment. Bias ply tires are absolute junk. I had radials on my 60 Corvette and it drove perfectly but when I did a body off restoration I wanted it to be 100% correct so I put bias ply tires on it. What a mistake! The alignment is perfect and it not only wanders but if you hit a rut in the road- hang on- it has a mind of its own.

[sholders442]

Thank you for your input. :thumbsup I figured it almost had to be that, but I have never owned a car with bias ply's, so I didn't really know for sure. Those bias ply's are a safety hazard for sure. FYI - the front end was alligned when they rebuilt it, so I know it isn't that.

I think I will order a set of radial replacements from Coker Tires, since this is just a cruiser for now.

Thanks, Mike

[earlybirdlover]

Do ALOT of research before deciding on which brand of tires you buy. Coker is very popular but have had alot of trouble with their tires. A well known T-Bird resto shop quit selling them because they said "out of 12 tires, they would be lucky to get 4 that were round and could be balanced". There are other tire makers out there. If you don't have to have wide white walls, you can get a good Michelin with a 1" white wall for less than 1/2 the price of the others. Good luck.

[Sam Redman]

Beware of those Coker tires. I too have a 57 bird and tried Coker tires. After about 5,000 miles 3 of the 4 had tread separation. I now have Michelin narrow white walls on the car and I sure have a smooth riding 57. Good luck on your 57 bird.

[Brian]

Sam - did you get any warranty consideration from Coker?

[sholders442]

Thanks for the tire info guys. Any suggestions on a replacement radial with the correct size white wall? :confused: I'm guessing there are only a couple manufacturers of that type of tire. I'm surprised GoodYear or one of the big tire guys don't make them.

Was the Tbird restoration place using radials or bias ply?????? Now I don't know what to do. I guess I'll call Coker Tire and ask them straight-up what the problem is and how they would handle a warranty issue. Who pays for shipping, mounting, balancing, etc on the tires that are bad?

[earlybirdlover]

[quote=sholders442]Was the Tbird restoration place using radials or bias plyQUOTE]

They were having the problems with the radials. Bias ply are so prehistoric, I wouldn't even go that way. You can guess who is responsible for all the shipping, mounting and balancing costs on warranty issues. Unless you absolutely can't live without wide whitewalls. I would avoid the problem and get some modern whitewalls. It was the best decision I ever made.