195/50/15 tyres and tram-lining

[freerange7]

I have a bit of tram-lining from my car and my girlfriends car has not, same size tyres.
Could it be the cheap tyre brand or is this a steering problem?
I have checked the wheels to see if they are the correct application for the car and offset.

[MX-5 Lazza]

More info needed.
What tyres do you have?
What are the tyre pressures?
What wheels? Width & offset?
When did you last get the alignment checked/reset?

[Kinky]

Should probably add shocks into the mix too.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Kinky said:

Should probably add shocks into the mix too.

Well yes, shocks & springs too but wheels/tyres/alignment will be the main culprits.

[freerange7]

KUMHA ecsta 195/50/15
Rimstock wheels
Just purchased the car, do not know when alignment was last checked.
Do not remember the offset.
30psi all round.

The front tyres were unevenly worn, insides more than the outside edge, now on the back of the car.

[maz8062]

30 psi is too high - stock is 26 psi. You may have uneven tyre pressures or the alignment needs sorting.

[Munter]

maz8062 said:

30 psi is too high - stock is 26 psi. You may have uneven tyre pressures or the alignment needs sorting.

Yeah thats going to be really hard and bouncy. Knock them down to a max of 28. I like 26 on the road myself. Car just feels more grippy & softer on the back.

[Kinky]

I tend to typically run mine at 27.

Last week I set them at 28, and it feels horrible. It's astonishing the effect the small change can make.

Will be re-setting back to 26 this weekend.

[Howard-]

I'm running my 195/50/15 Eagle F1s at 27PSI, and I only notice very ocasional tramlining. I have no idea how out the alignment is, probably very, but I'm saving that for when I upgrade the shocks and springs

[Herman Toothrot]

freerange7 said:

I have a bit of tram-lining from my car and my girlfriends car has not, same size tyres.
Could it be the cheap tyre brand or is this a steering problem?
I have checked the wheels to see if they are the correct application for the car and offset.

Is it lowered? Cars that are too low suffer badly with bumpsteer and tramlining.

[kevham]

Make sure and get the alignment checked at a reputable shop. Make sure it's a full 4-wheel geometry setup which checks and asjusts at least the following:

Front: Camber, Caster and Toe
Rear: Camber and toe.

You can get various geometry specs from Miata.net

[driverrob]

Merittyres branches have the latest alignment kit and I can vouch for a visit to correct the camber and toe-in producing a miraculous end to my GTO's tramlining. About £70.

[freerange7]

No the car is not lowered at present, I will try the 26 to 28psi adjustment first.
Secondly I will get the tracking set up properly as suggested.
Later the car will be lowered and a set of sticky tyres will be mounted on hopefully PRO RACE 2 wheels in Matt black by rimstock as they are doing a deal at the moment.
Thanks for all the help.

[Kinky]

Phil - try it at 26 to start it - then have a play

K

[Merlot]

I have mine set to between 26-28psi and don't notice any tramlining, even with crappy Pirelli P6000's on there. Mine is standard ride height (tractor setting!) though...

[skinny]

did you get the right offset on the wheels? that's going to make a big difference to tramlining. should be between ET32-ET45

[freerange7]

Just had the tracking done at Tyreland, tyres at correct PSi as suggested.
Brilliant
Thanks for all the help.