Tires

[rswhitmore]

What type and size tires are you guys running on your Willys Aeros, and how is the handling? I recently purchased a 53 Aero Ace and it has almost new 165 80 R15 radials. Not pleased with the handling, and suspect it is the radial tires. Not sure if it's because they are radials, or because they are so small, or maybe there is something besides tires causing the poor handling. The car seems to excessively wander right and left on its own, and is what I would call "darty". What works for you guys driving Aeros?

 

[MarkH]

I'm running Michelin 180HR15 XAS radials. They're reproductions of 1960's tires still made by Michelin, rather than someone that bought the old molds. Rounded treads for easy steering in non power steering cars, and most important, the right size for the car. I ran them on my Aero in the early 70's too. My suspension & steering are basically new and it does have more wander than a modern car, but not anywhere near "darty". I looked everywhere and Coker seems to be the sole supplier in the US, even a local Michelin dealer couldn't order them, not cheap.

 

[rswhitmore]

Thanks, I forgot to say my suspension is original with lots of miles on it.

 

[MarkH]

Lower trunnion wear is pretty much a given with mileage. I think rareparts "might" have your trunnions. There is a small difference between early '52 trunnions & your car. You want the true 90 degree cross rather than the early ones 2 1/2 degrees off a 90.