Harsh ride with radials

Edwardjohnsr

The recent post about radial tire pressure inspired me to ask a related question. My 53 Hornet rides very harshly over bumps around town. I am running 32 lbs pressure in 2.25-15 radials. I suspect there may be other suspension issues but I don't see any obvious problems. The shocks seem to be OK. Can anyone suggest other possible causes for the rough ride. Incidently, other than the rough ride around town, I like the radials.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
Ed

super-six

Radials will ride harsher than bias ply, but will handle much better. Type of shocks will make a difference. The stiffer shocks will cause a harsher ride.

Uncle Josh

I tried radials on my 49 Commadore. Great at high speeds but harsh around town and hard to turn when stopped. Went for a set of 7.10 Goodyear Super Cushions 4 1/4 wide whites from Lucas. Much better at low speeds and very acceptable at high speeds.

Geoff

I too had ride problems with radials on my Jet, and threw them away in the finish and went back to cross-plies. Probably the type of tyre I had, but I have a good supply of cross plies,l and it handles perfectly on these, so that's what it will stay with. Wil lmost likely try radials on the Hornet, but it is some time yet before the cross ply white-walls will be worn out.

53jetman

I've got Goodyear 2.25Rs on my '54 Hornet club coupe, and would not have anything else. It rides good, and steers easy if you have any motion of the car at all - on standstill it does turn hard, but you learn to have some kind of movement before you try to turn the steering wheel. I run 36 psi in all four, and do not notice any harshness at low speed at all.

[Deleted User]

I too found radials to have a harsher ride. I guess it depends on your age or taste. Back before PS we were taught to rock the car slightly with the clutch while doing a standing turn to brake the friction between the tires and road surface. This made it easier to turn. Most people today with the modern cars turn the wheels while the car is completely standing still. My question with these Hudsons is with radials does this put to much stress on the center steering pin?