Different tyres - F & R.

[Dezzie]

Hi everyone.

I've done a search and can't find the answer I'm looking for. Hopefully you Guys will be able to help me. The motor's a Freelander year 2000 (V - Plate) Diesel L series Station Wagon.

I've had a stack of work done to my Freelander over the past few Months. Near rear Diff, new VCU, new prop shaft bearings. The bloke at the Garage told me to change the rear tyres for new ones, (even though they had quite a bit of tread left) because they had been affected by the diff, and had worn unevenly, and would probably go on to cause more problems. They had also become really noisy.

So .......... Changed the two rear Tyres for brand new ones. The size is the same .... 195 / 60 -15.

Will it matter that the two Tyres on the front are half worn, and the two on the back are brand new ? Will this affect how it drives or cause more problems further down the line as they are rotating at differing speeds ?

Any help gratefully received. Cheers ......................... Matt.

[ejparrott]

Doesn't freelander had a centre diff? this should take care of unequal wheel speeds.

[mr whippy]

you dont want 1956015 you need 195 r 15 or 19580 r 15

[tim_roberts]

The handbook recommends always putting the newer tyres on the rears - especially for the earlier freelanders, so you're OK.

[kiwi_110]

That aspect ratio (195x60) is a little small for a Freebie. Your speedo will indicate a faster speed than actual. Standard fit on the 15" rims is 195x80. I would ensure all FIVE tyres are the same model and maintained to the same tread depth to reduce VCU and IRD stress.

Ray.

[Dezzie]

OOPS ! That's my fault ! I really should have gone to Specsavers (other Opticians are available).

The tyres on my Freelander are 195 80 15 ! ! ! !

I was having a mooch around the Internet (as you do), and came accross this site. http://www.freelanderspecialist.com/ Found it really useful, and very interesting.

What is the importance of matched tyres on a Freelander?

Having unmatched tyre sizes on a Freelander 1 creates the same effect as a seized VCU, and can cause catastrophic damage to your drive train in just a few miles. A seized viscous coupling unit will put a strain all the way along the drive train, from the IRD / Transfer Box at the front (and even as far as the gearbox) through the VCU bearings, to the rear differential at the rear. If you continue to drive the Freelander with a seized VCU then you could cause irreparable damage to all these parts.

The crucial thing is to make sure you match tyre manufacturer, type and size on all four wheels of your Freelander (please note that even if you match the tyre type and size then there can be enough of a difference between the sizes from two different manufacturers to cause the VCU to seize – the tolerance level is only 5mm). If you really cannot afford to replace all four tyres at once then you may be able to get away with replacing just two from the same axle (i.e. the two rear tyres or the two front tyres – never replace just one tyre, and never replace one from the front and one from the rear), but make sure you get the same manufacturer, type and size as the ones that are remaining on the Freelander, and put the newest ones on the rear - but we really would recommend changing all four at the same time

[kiwi_110]

can cause catastrophic damage to your drive train in just a few miles.

Which is why I say all FIVE tyres.... If you have to use your spare and it's in way better condition than your others, you can still cause some damage. Proper tyre switching at regular intervals (oil changes) should keep all five within the same degree of wear.

Ray.

[ejparrott]

Now thats finiky, 5mm tolerance????? Thats a good reason I'd never want a F1, sounds like the tyre manufacturers were involved in designing that

[nickcc]

Now thats finiky, 5mm tolerance????? Thats a good reason I'd never want a F1, sounds like the tyre manufacturers were involved in designing that

Not far off the tread depth of a new tyre so new on the rear and part worn on the front shouldn't cause a problem as long as the tyre depth on individual axles match.

[ejparrott]

Its not though is it, its only 2.5mm on the tread depth, which is less than half a decent tread depth, or at least thats the way I understand it.