Hi All,

I've driven my 84 Westy about 100 miles now on the new Yokohama Y370B tires
and am still disappointed in the handling.  I was so excited that these
tires came available again because of all the raving comments I had seen on
the list, but now I wish that they had stayed discontinued.  Just to be
sure, I double checked the sidewalls and they say Y370B, LT195/75 R14, load
range D, max load 1710 lbs at 65 psi.  I ordered part number 37047 from Tire
Rack.  Those are the ones, right?

The tires I  replaced were Pirelli 6000 passenger tires size 205/70 R14.
They weren't really too badly worn, but I replaced them anyway because of
all the concerns about wrong load ratings.  I wish I still had them.  They
served me well, I drove cross-country last year on them with nary a problem.
Handling and stability were great.

The Yokohama tires have ZERO crosswind resistance.  I constantly have to
keep correcting the steering as I drive, especially at highway speed.  When
there is even the slightest wind, I'm all over the road, and quickly get
fatigued from constantly having to keep concentrated on staying in the lane.
I first thought it was the tire pressure, so I pumped them up to the list
recommended 44/52 lbs. and that improved things a bit, but not enough.  I
had an alignment done when the tires were installed and I started
questioning the alignment.  I knew it couldn't be the tires!  So this
morning I dropped the van by the VW dealer and specifically requested Jimmy,
the head mechanic, do an alignment.  I explained my problems to him and he
proceeded to do the alignment.  He found the alignment to be correct, so he
checked all the rest of the suspension and steering.  Everything, as I
expected, was in perfect order (I've replaced everything).  He also test
drove the van and concurred with my complaint.  He looked at the tires and
said the problem is the tires.  "They are supposed to be sidewall
reinforced", he said, "but they are safe to continue to use because they
have the proper load rating".

So now what?  Do I eat the $300 that I spent on these new tires and get some
reinforced ones or live with the terrible handling?  I used to be able to
get on the road and sit back and cruise in a very relaxed state, but now
that is not possible and makes the van miserable to drive.

Sorry for the rambling, but I'm disappointed and I'm happy to have this list
to vent my frustrations!

Bill
'84 Westfalia Wolfsburg (new name "Sloppy"?)