a little bumpy 3500!

C

cfcrotweiller

Member
Morning!

The "stopped for 30 years" Rover 3500 from 1971 now runs and I've done just shy of 100km already (short journeys).

I've noticed ever since I first tried the car out however that the rear left (LHD, and i THINK its the rear left), seems to be a bit bumpy?
When i start driving, the best way to describe it would be the tread on the rear wheel has a bubble on it, and every time you drive it vibrates and bumps up and down. I haven't actually checked the tyre but i'm pretty sure it's not that.
What could make this happen?
Cheers
Andy
 
If its sat for 30 years its probably developed flat spots on the tyres.

Graeme
 
The tyre is the most likely candidate, especially if it is 30 years old! Tyres will flat spot if you leave them sitting for 6 months. If it isn't the tyre then you will need to work your way back along the drivetrain. Make sure the wheel isn't bent and is bolted on properly :!: Could also be a collapsed wheel bearing or a seized universal joint on the half shaft I guess. Then check the suspension joints. Basically, jack up the offending corner and have a good look around.
 
In the name of safety, tyres, even those with lots of tread, should ideally be retired after little more than 5 years. I appreciate that may go against the grain, but it is better to shell out for new tyres than to receive a one way ticket to hospital.

Ron.
 
yup they will be very hard, heavy to steer and very slippy in the wet. cost me £180 for 4 maxxis tyres - i figured the fact theyll be quick wearing is actually good as theyll get changed that way!
 
Hi,

OK I will check the tyres for flat spots. I pumped all up to proper pressure but no real change.
And yes I will get some tyres, I got some inner tubes put in on mine because they were always going flat (I just wanted to pass its MOT). They need to be changed anyway, so maybe that will remedy the problem.
On the tyre question, mine are the classic size of 185R14. Any good places to get these (and hopefully delivery to Portugal)?
Cheers
Andy
 
you'll be stuck with far eastern brands unless you spend mega money - so find out what you can get locally and look for reviews.

Make sure you get car tyres not van tyres!

Rich
 
rockdemon said:
you'll be stuck with far eastern brands unless you spend mega money - so find out what you can get locally and look for reviews.

Make sure you get car tyres not van tyres!

Rich
Click to expand...

Whats the difference?
All of the ones I see say van tyres (commercial tyres in translation). Aren''t they the same? As these are the classic size without the middle number (185R14 while I think the equivalent nowadays is 185/55R14) I'm limited to which I can legally put on.
Thanks
Andy
 
The original tyre is rated as a 185 14 HR which has a profile of 82, 55 profile will give you a seriously bad speedo error and wont fill the wheel arches very well either.
You could look at going to 205 for all round better road handling and safety (my recommendation) however to do this you will need to change the rims, a popular choice being SD1 mags either in 14 or 15 inch but you will still need to get the appropriate rolling tyre diameter to get the correct speedo reading.

Graeme
 
Unless you're installing a Dakota Digital kit like me, which, in an unexpected advantage, will allow me to fit any damn wheel and tyre combination I feel like. I can just push the program button until the speedo matches my GPS!
 
I'm betting those U-Joints on the axles are pretty rusty after sitting for that many years. Grease them and they may come out of it.
 
hi Andy

Van, or commercial, tyres have a different construction to car tyres. The assumption is that they are going to be continually kerbed, so the sidewalls are very strong, and there is much less attention to concentricity - sorry - roundness. You will find the ride incredibly harshe on them.

To keep the speedo reading correctly, and hence the overall gearing of the car correct, you need the same diameter of tyre as the originals. The best way to understand thios is to have a play with one of the tyre calculators such as this one:

http://www.roversd1.nl/sd1web/ and then go to bodyshell and then to driveline calc

Only you know what Portugal's regulations on tyres vs original size are, but I would have thought nearest modern equivalent would have been acceptable? The same rolling diameter can be found at 195/75 X 14. I wouldn't advise going wider than 195 on the current rim width.

Chris
 
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