The front right tire wears more than the others. So I started the "set of
5"  to get all of the tires to wear about the same rate (there are other
good reasons, too, as have been noted) with the following rotation:
  Right side:  spare to back to front to spare
  Left side:  front to back to front
Since left to right is apparently OK now with radials, after checking with
everyone I can find to make sure it's OK, on the next set will use
counterclockwise rotation for all:
  spare to left front to left rear to right rear to right front to spare

Counterclockwise is better in the northern hemisphere due to the coriolis
effect.  Also thinking of filling the tires with red wine (tea seems so
bland) to add tannin and be able to easily detect leaks.

Cheers, Tom

On Fri, 16 Apr 1999, Brent Christensen wrote:

> My understanding is that all tires for a Syncro need to be within 2.5 mm.
> Is this the correct spec?  Also, Tom, do you mean that there is one of the
> four tires that you >do not< rotate?  (I'm confused by your comment about
> rotating "3 tires through the right side" - maybe its just 'cause I haven't
> had my coffee yet this AM...)
>
>
> Brent Christensen
> '89 GL Syncro Westy "Klaus"
> '91 Taurus SHO (For Sale)
> '95 Cherokee Sport
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Tom L. Neal <jneal@NETCOM.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Thursday, April 15, 1999 9:45 PM
> Subject: Re: Tires & Spares & rotating & VC
>
>
> > >
> > > Anyone out there ever ruin a tire on a syncro and have to
> > > replace the entire set
> > > to keep 4 uniform tires?
> > Haven't had that problem, but.....
> > Having forgotten once about needing to match tires, I can vouch that
> > mismatched tires is highly destructive to tranny, CV joints,
> > drive shaft, and tires.  The VC is the only part that did survive.
> >
> > Am now extremely careful about rotating around all 5 every 5,000 miles.
> > Since the front right wears more, I just rotate 3 through the right
> > side.  Understand that now it's OK to rotate side to side on steel
> > belts.  Used to be right or left only.  Any comments on this?
> > Strongly recommend rotating 5.  If one blows, then a small exposure
> > until 4 more tires are purchased.
> >
> > Tom Neal '87 syncro
>