Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing New Tyres

Had my first trip out in the new (to me) 4/4 Sport today, well apart from the drive home from collection.

Went to Paul Harris for a new set of Tyres, went for the Vredestein T-Trac2 following others reports on here. Paul is a real character of the old school type. I discussed the issue some have had with the tyre band sealing spokes issue and he showed me the specialist sealing compound he uses, supplied by MWS direct! Said there is no need for expensive replacement as repairs are entirely possible and highly successful. Maybe worth a call for anyone with this issue?

Brought back memories of my apprenticeship and helping out in the tyre bay, Paul said I passed my apprenticeship but I didn’t go near the computerised balancer.

I noted Paul didn’t use the cones often advertised and discussed as he has a special tool (a set of them actually for different manufacturers) made from a wire wheel splined hub so the wheel sits perfectly central and the machine and gets down to zero readings of balance, Paul’s minimum acceptance is a 5 gram weight tolerance, good enough for me ;-).

Cracking job done, totally delighted and a meet at a local pub for lunch afterwards with a couple of Morgan mates rounded off a super day out.

Loving the new car and just how light it feels and easy to drive, that Mazda gearbox is a total delight.

BR
Colin

+1 for T-Trac2 and the Mazda 'box!

+2 for T-Trac2 and the Mazda 'box!!

My original tyres were older than the car at 8 years so whilst they had plenty of tread, the Vredesteins are very reasonably priced and a no brainer.

I ordered mine from Demon Tweeks and had them fitted locally.

Which dimensions are your tyres?
165/80 or different?

Hi there

165/80/15. I believe that’s a standard size for a 2012 4/4 Sport.

BR
Colin

Yes I saw the Demon Tweeks advert as well but when it’s just a couple of pounds difference per corner I like to support enthusiasts and Morgan owners as I think if we don’t they may stop offering the service which would be a shame. Each to their own of course but if the network shrinks we will miss them.

BR
Colin

Agree but my local garage/ tyre fitter I normally buy tyres off couldn't get anywhere Demon Tweeks price of £43.15 per tyre delivered.

165 x 80 x R15 87T is the standard size but look wider than the Contis CT22 in the same size for some reason.

I have an info from the Gomog site. Quaife copied the older rack-and-pinion steering. Quaife steering is very good. But the end stop is further than before. That's why wider tyres touch the wheel arches at the 4/4, so I think the real width of the TTrac2 is a very good compromise. At 185/70/15 you have to make slight changes in most cases (not in every case, because every car is a bit different).

Literally just got back from having my old Contis swapped for new T Trac 2 by Paul Harris.

The new tyres have made a big difference, even after only 50 miles I can feel it.

Steering is lighter, turn in is sharper and more precise, the feel of the tyres over the bumps is much more compliant even though we put the pressures up from my normal 22psi to 25psi and I think they are quieter although I wear ear plugs so that's debatable. Haven't checked the ultimate grip levels yet but I'd be surprised if they didn't out perform the Conti's

I have stainless spoked tube type wheels and I have to say that I wouldn't go anywhere else for fitting.

Paul really knows his stuff and has done some serious classic car tyre fitting in his time. His attention to detail is second to none and the care he takes is outstanding.

On a technicality he has adapted his balancing machine to use a proper splined adaptor so the wheels are dynamically balanced exactly as they would fit on the car. He doesn't use cones.

The icing on the cake is that he is a long time Morganeer with a Lawrence Tune TR engined Plus 4.

If you do go to see Paul, allow enough time. He is very willing to share his experience and is definitely not a Kwikfit fitter.

Coming to Mogs from a Caterham background, it is well established that there is absolutely no point in fitting 'normal' road tyres because of the light weight of the cars and the low mileage they do on average. It seems to me that Morgans are in the same niche, albeit 200kgs or 300kgs heavier, but I'm sure they would benefit from soft compound tyres as well. In normal use on a 1500kg + car you would be lucky to get 4000 miles, but on one of ours this would extend to 7000 miles or so, which on many of our cars may be as much as 3 - 4 years of use, by which time most tyres would start to harden anyway. My ARP4 for example was fitted with Yoko Advan ADO8R, which they term as a 'Motorsport' tyre. Having now done around 8000, not very hard miles or so, they are still looking in really good shape.

What do we all feel and does anyone have any experience of these ultra soft compound tyres?