C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

flat spots

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Old Jan 29, 2007 | 04:21 PM
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hey fellas....i have a 95 lt1 6 speed and about 80,000 miles. i store my car in a heated garage and i try to take it out every two weeks during the winter and the past couple of times ive takin' her out when i get on the highway the front end shakes at 50 mph and up then after a few miles it will smooth out. could it be flat spots on the tires?...the tires have about 25,000 miles on them. the highway is about 3 miles away and it is smooth until i get on the highway..........thanx fellas
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Old Jan 29, 2007 | 04:27 PM
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Yup! Thats what it is! have the same problem.
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Old Jan 29, 2007 | 04:32 PM
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I have had this exact problem before as well. Yes, it's flat spots on the tires. I have noticed that BFG's seem to be a little more prone to this than others but are still a great tire.
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Old Jan 29, 2007 | 04:54 PM
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My Kuhmo MX's have done this since new.
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Old Jan 29, 2007 | 06:24 PM
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Originally Posted by STL94LT1
My Kuhmo MX's have done this since new.


I have Kuhmo MX's on my '91 Vette.
I have Kuhmo MX's on my '98 Z28.

BOTH of them 'shake' for a few miles EVERY time the car sits overnight.
Summer, same thing. Winter, same thing.

However!! I DO like the Khumo tires. For the money they can't be beat for dry traction, wet traction and mileage.
I had a set of the Supra 712's on the Kmaro before the MX's and they didn't do this. They also went 28,000 miles before they got to the wear bars and I replaced them. They all still had some tread on them.

Back in the late 50's and early 60's when NYLON was being used in tires they would flatspot overnight and be horrible for about 5 miles.
The Khumo's aren't that bad but the MX's WILL flat spot overnight.
Whatever tires you are running are doing this also.

The MX's are a softer 'compound' than the 712's so they have even better wet traction.
These tires beat Goodyear 'all to pieces' on price, wear and traction.

I guess we can't even make a descent tire anymore, the Guvment just gave the contract for ALL tires used by OUR Military to Michelin, a FRENCH company.
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Old Jan 29, 2007 | 07:25 PM
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Originally Posted by VetNutJim
However!! I DO like the Khumo tires. For the money they can't be beat for dry traction, wet traction and mileage.
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Old Jan 29, 2007 | 08:00 PM
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Default Lump Lump tires

Look on the sidewall for the type of belts. If one or more is Nylon, that's the culprit. Requires about 7 to 10 miles to smooth out. Phenomenon has been around since the early 50's. It's called 'creep' or slight flow of the plastic when non-rotating and is time dependent.
Neither polyester nor steel will do it.
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