XJR tramlining/tyres

[ChrisDixon]

Yes, that old chestnut! There've been a few threads on this in the past but I'd be interested in any good/bad tyre choices people have made. My XJR is running 255/45Z17 P-Zeros, but not the "J" stamped ones which apparently have reinforced sidewalls to cope with the weight of the X300, does this make a difference? The inside shoulders of the front pair are worn and I had them swapped for the rears which had a more even tread, However the car then tramlined badly so I had them swapped back. I can only conclude that the fronts had worn to suit the camber angle, if that's the case will the tramlining return if I fit new ones? Might new front spings help?.

I might try fitting new front tyres as a first step as the don't have a lot of life in them, so can anyone recommend a decent good value tyre? Someone suggested Kuma as a budget buy - anyone tried them?

[robv12]

Chris, ah ha a tramlining XJR, they all do that!!!!

Firstly, check the front wishbone bushes, wear here will cause inner shoulder tye wear, and if you put new tyres on you will destroy these just as quickly

Replace if needed, two hour job

Then get the tracking checked

Then check your pressures, XJR is very sensitive to inbalanace mr marks reckons 33psi

Now, all UK XJR were supplied with the P zero, but I believe export cars had Bridgestones, correct me if I'm wrong someone please

I have ditched the P Zeros and have had good results with Bridgestone, Continental sport and even a set of Avons on one car

I also hear good reports of Nankang, I had them on 40 and the grip was oustanding, although life was a bit short, so it will be even worse on a manual XJR, when i only get 5K miles out of a rear set at best!!!

[ChrisDixon]

Rob

Only just been able to get back into the site (for some reason my router decided it didn't like it and it took me ages to work out why) so thanks for the tyre recommendations. The car has had all its worn bushes replaced so I can't figure why it wandered more when I swapped the tyres with the rears. Tyre pressures ok, tracking ok. Wheel bearings have slight play. Have you ever had to replace front springs?

Regards

[eb96pfh]

I've not found an easy way round this. On buying my XJR, all the ones I drove seemed to do this and the one I bought is no exception, though the tyres and other things noted above will help...

I've had some problems of a lack of grip with Avon ZZ3 tyres on heavy Jaguars, including X300 and XJ40, so wouldn't be recommending them myself. I've just ordered a pair of Dunlop SP 9000s for mine, so will try and remember to report on how they go. Mine runs on 255/40/17 as I found them to be cheaper and easier to come by than the 255/45/17 ones.

Pete

[ChrisDixon]

Finally got around to having a full alignment check done. All 4 corners were out to some degree. Cost £120 but the car now drives much better, still a little squirming on uneven roads but this could be down to the tyres being worn on the inside shoulders. Having researched tyres and prices I think I'll try a set of Kumho KU31s.

[robv12]

Chris, i still think the inner shoulder wear is due to worn wishbone bushes, a common fault on all 40 and a300, but made worse on the XJR with wider tyres and bigger wheels, I'm currently running a set of Kuhmos on one car and a set of Conti Sport on the other, I ditched the Pirellis as they were really bad especially on the inside lane of a motorway in the truck tracks, bothe the Kuhmos and Contis seem ok, just, and for all the miles the cars do wear rate is not really an issue, grip is though!!