Swapping the wheels from front to back

[Ringthane]

After having just had it serviced, taxed and insured, winter tyres were out of the question this close to Christmas so yesterday, I decided to swap the wheels and tyres from the front to the back. The fronts had worn to 4mm and the rears were 6.5mm. I have done 8500 miles and the tyres are PZero Rossos’.

The front wheels came off with a little wiggling but the backs were seized onto the hub so bloody tight that it took me nearly 20 minutes of kicking and swearing. As my wife pointed out between the laughter, it’s a good job it happened in daylight on the driveway rather than a rain swept night with a puncture.

Looking at the hub, the short stub that locates the centre of the wheel had corroded so much that even a vigorous wire brushing left them pitted.
Needless to say, I liberally spread some Copaslip onto the hub and the inner mating face of the wheel.

While the wheels were off, I took the opportunity to paint the callipers black to cover up some rust coloured stains that had appeared on the aluminium callipers.

[ThomasXC60]

I had mine swapped over when I was getting some warrantee work done as I wanted to change all 4 tyres at the same time for some that might last a little longer.

[DesertDog]

Originally Posted by Ringthane

aluminium callipers.

You sure?

They feel and sound like steel to me

[Ringthane]

No, I'm not sure at all.

It's just that the red discolouration did not look like rust and the calipers themselves had a sort of white bloom on them that I remember from my engineering days working with ally castings. But I am happy to be corrected.

[Rich17]

The only problem with swapping front to back is that you then end up replacing 4 tyres at the same time.

[Ransman]

Originally Posted by Rich17

The only problem with swapping front to back is that you then end up replacing 4 tyres at the same time.

Which means you can negotiate a bigger discount. You just need to put the money to one side and budget accordingly.

[Ringthane]

I must admit, I did wonder if it was better to change two tyres or four and if it wasn’t for the fact that winter is coming and I wanted as much tread on the front as possible, I would have left them where they were and got two new tyres when required.

When I change them though, I will not replace them with Pirellis. I am leaning towards some General Grabbers.

[Ransman]

Originally Posted by Ringthane

I must admit, I did wonder if it was better to change two tyres or four and if it wasn’t for the fact that winter is coming and I wanted as much tread on the front as possible, I would have left them where they were and got two new tyres when required.

When I change them though, I will not replace them with Pirellis. I am leaning towards some General Grabbers.

After initial indications that the fronts would only last 10,000 miles, the sums now indicate more like 20,000 miles, which is much more like it. I guess my initial measurement technique must have been inaccurate. Rears look to be around 45,000 miles.

I am, therefore, quite happy with the Pirellis.

[rkennedy]

Originally Posted by Ringthane

No, I'm not sure at all.

It's just that the red discolouration did not look like rust and the calipers themselves had a sort of white bloom on them that I remember from my engineering days working with ally castings. But I am happy to be corrected.

Silver colour is actually zinc electroplating - the calipers are actually cast iron as you will find out when you change the pads especially the fronts!