Tire rotation on VW pre '67 Beetle?

Tom Nakashima

unread,

Apr 30, 2003, 9:55:29 AM4/30/03

to

A few weeks ago, someone posted their views on why it's not a good idea (or
not safe) to rotate the tires using the conventional method (crossing
pattern) on a pre '67 beetle. It might be better to swap the left rear with
the left front, and right rear with the right front? Could someone
elaborate more on this?
-tom

Gregg H

unread,

Apr 30, 2003, 11:20:39 AM4/30/03

to Tom Nakashima

bias ply rotate in the x pattern while radials rotate front to back,
right front to right rear, ect.

Owokie

unread,

Apr 30, 2003, 3:27:02 PM4/30/03

to

Hi Tom,
I mentioned a while ago that is unsafe to rotate the tires on a swing-axle
beetle (which was until late '68). Leave the 2 rear ones where they are. You
can switch the front left and right if you really want to though I don't think
you'll gain much life by doing so.

-Chip

>Subject: Tire rotation on VW pre '67 Beetle?
>From: "Tom Nakashima" t...@slac.stanford.edu
>Date: 4/30/2003 8:55 AM US Eastern Standard Time
>Message-id: <b8okhu$khe$1...@news.Stanford.EDU>

Tom Nakashima

unread,

Apr 30, 2003, 3:42:24 PM4/30/03

to

Thanks Chip for replying,
at the time I didn't think much of it, but lately I've been thinking more
about rotation
of the tires. Why is it unsafe to rotate the tires other than swapping the
front left and front right, on a swing-axle beetle?
-tom

"Owokie" <owo...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20030430152702...@mb-m19.aol.com...

Seth Graham

unread,

Apr 30, 2003, 5:30:00 PM4/30/03

to

In article <b8p8sd$1rt$1...@news.Stanford.EDU>, Tom Nakashima wrote:
> of the tires. Why is it unsafe to rotate the tires other than swapping the
> front left and front right, on a swing-axle beetle?

take a moment and remember what your rear tires do when you jack up your bug
(imagining what happens when you have two adults in the back seat works too).
Imagine those tires taking that path every time you hit a bump on the road,
and get in your head what sliding against the pavement will do to the rubber
on the tires.

then do the same thing with the front end. Remember you have a trailing arm
up front so it's not either a perfect up and down travel (though it's much
less apparent than with the rear tires).

tires like to "set in" when they experience a given wear pattern for a while.
when you upset that balance, the tires have to rapidly readjust to the new
pattern.. usually at highway speeds, right? ;) This drastically alters
handling for this period.. making the car dangerous.

I've never driven a bug that had this flaw on it's tires, but I've heard
horror stories from some veterans.

I think the only way around it is to simply assume you will have to replace
your rear tires twice as often as the front tires.. the swing-axle travel is
quite rough on tires.

Dennis Wik

unread,

Apr 30, 2003, 5:36:20 PM4/30/03

to

I don't know if you put on a lot of miles or not per year but if you
don't, why rotate? The last set of tires I purchased was to replace a
set that was to many years old and cracked. Lots of rubber left but not
safe tires 10 yrs old or so. Why rotate if tread wear is even? My 66'
has almost "new tread depth" on the old bias tires but they are hard and
cracked and I would not trust them to "warm up" at highway speeds. If
your tires are wearing improper, find out why and fix it.

href="http://community.webtv.net/weewiktype1/Dens1978Puma">Den's 1978
Puma</a>

KWW

unread,

May 1, 2003, 5:54:51 AM5/1/03

to

I am putting about 20k mi/yr on my '63's tires and they are showing almost
no signs of wear. The bug is very light.
KWW
'63 Beetle
The IOC
"Dennis Wik" <weewi...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:1728-3EB...@storefull-2137.public.lawson.webtv.net...

Dennis Wik

unread,

May 1, 2003, 8:17:16 AM5/1/03

to

I believe "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"

Howard Rose

unread,

May 6, 2003, 8:59:37 AM5/6/03

to

"Tom Nakashima" <t...@slac.stanford.edu> wrote in message
news:b8okhu$khe$1...@news.Stanford.EDU

the owner's manual says to change them in an X pattern, front right to
rear left and so on.

Howard @ University
(don't email me here, I don't use this account!)

--
Posted via Mailgate.ORG Server - http://www.Mailgate.ORG

KWW

unread,

May 7, 2003, 12:14:40 AM5/7/03

to

The owner's manual is assuming BIAS PLY tires. You don't want to rotate
RADIALS in an "X" pattern. If they are steel belted radials you DEFINITELY
don't want to rotate them that way or you will probably get tread separation
over time. The belt "settles in", and it was explained to me...
KWW
'63 Beetle
"Howard Rose" <airc...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:ba1aefd0f2791d9fac2...@mygate.mailgate.org...