New tyres on front or back??

[BlackAvon]

I just got 2 new tyres fitted on my Freelander. I put them on the front. I just noted on this forum that Land Rover recommend putting them @ the back! What is the reason behind this?

[Satancom]

Its to do with the front and rear props spinning at different speeds, worn tyres on the rear and new on the front make this speed difference greater and can cause the VCU to overheat!

No damage will have been caused in a short period but if they are left as they are it could get expensive :)

[BlackAvon]

Its to do with the front and rear props spinning at different speeds, worn tyres on the rear and new on the front make this speed difference greater and can cause the VCU to overheat!

No damage will have been caused in a short period but if they are left as they are it could get expensive :)

Thanks for your reply.

OK I must get them changed. I've been driving on the new tyres for 2 weeks now.

Forgive my ignorance - what is the VCU?

Ever since the wheels were changed I'm finding excessive vibration @approx 60mph. The steering wheel is solid so its not wheel balancing. Could the new tyres on the front be the problem here?

BTW - I used the spare wheel (Michelin) and bought one new tyre (bridgstone). Does it matter that they are 2 different brands?

[Satancom]

Deifferent brands don't matter as long as they are the same size. Speed rating should also match.

VCU is the viscous coupling between the gearbox and rear axle which allows the props to turn at different speeds under load if need be.

If the problem started happening after the tyre change then chances are this is the cause. Swap the wheels front to back and the problem should go away, if not you may have some recourse on hte tyre fitter?

[BlackAvon]

Deifferent brands don't matter as long as they are the same size. Speed rating should also match.

VCU is the viscous coupling between the gearbox and rear axle which allows the props to turn at different speeds under load if need be.

If the problem started happening after the tyre change then chances are this is the cause. Swap the wheels front to back and the problem should go away, if not you may have some recourse on hte tyre fitter?

Yes I need to pay a visit to the tyre fitter alright...i reckon it will solve the vibration problem also.

He should have known about this - I mean it is not as if he hasn't seen a Freelander before:)

[mazzyjane]

He should have known about this - I mean it is not as if he hasn't seen a Freelander before:)

you would be suprised at the amount of people that dont know this... the garage I went to when I first got mine done didnt know either....

dont leave it to much longer without having them changed

Mj

[Tomo1971]

Its seen as good practice to put new tyres on the rear of all cars, 4wd or not these days.

Very poor tyre fitter if they didnt do that for you as standard.

Steve

[BlackAvon]

I got the new tyres changed to the back - it's driving a lot better now.

Cheers.

[Zerogravity]

It is all a matter of basic physics.

If your new tires on the front hold traction, but your rear loose traction, the back end is likely to cause a spin (IE: rear end swing forward). Having the new tread on the rear will help to prevent this "spin".