I occasionally have to borrow my Dad's '85 AMC Eagle and it's got some off-brand tires on it but they appear to be in good shape. When I take corners at regular speeds (25-35mph)or sometimes have to stop suddenly, they always screech and lockup. I'm not sure if it's because of the car's unique suspension or just bad tires. I've heard of dry and sticky tires and these seem dry.
In the El Camino with 32 year old rubber bushings in the suspension I can take a corner (like turning into a street)at 30-40 mph and the tires don't slip at all, and it stops on a dime from 60mph without any lockup, with a bumpy road or not. Maybe it's the longer wheelbase or lower center of gravity on the El Camino but try it with the AMC and it screeches like crazy. The El Camino has Cooper Lifeliner tires whereas the AMC has tires made by some company called Star. Anyone have any ideas?

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1970 Chevy Custom El Camino (http://www.dreamelectric.com)
Originally was & will be Green Mist & Silver w/Green Vinyl Top (now black/black)
350ci/300HP 4bbl & Dual Exhaust
TH-350 - 2.73 Posi Rear - Factory PS, PDB, PW, Tilt, A/C & More
1987 Chevy Caprice Coupe (spare car) (http://www.dreamelectric.com/caprice.html)
Other Restorations - 1967 Sears Custom 600 Tractor (http://www.dreamelectric.com/1967Sears.html)

[This message has been edited by Shawn (edited 10-01-2002).]

Shawn,
I'm convinced, that tires are almost the most important part of a suspension.

I replaced the BFG tires on my ZR-2 S-10 with off brand tires, and on the drive home the handling was so much worse, I checked the tire pressures when I got home. It was right on, the tires just sucked. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/mad.gif

P.S. I traded the truck shortly after.

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ACES member:#3722
68 SS-396 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/thads68.jpg) Best E.T. 13.533@106.42 m.p.h.
1st Car (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/thads68bu.jpg) 1984-86, original 6cyl, then 74-350, then 327, then 454 :)
68 Corvette (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/tds68vette2.JPG) In the Family for 20 years.

I think that the old addage "You get what you pay for." applies directly to tires.
I like Michelins on the daily drivers, and Firestones on the Chevelle.
Fred

from what ive seen bad are bad

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1969 Chevelle 454

Mess with the best get burned like the rest.

69 under restoration

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