Slick size differences?

[art leong]

How much difference is okay as far as circumference of a slick. I just measured mine and they are 1/2 to 3/4 inch different in circumference (mounted on the wheel same air pressure).
Is this to much or is it acceptable?

[Jeff Lee]

Call the manufacturer to confirm but they should be within 1/4" of each other. The closer the better but I think you are definitely on the outside the tolerance of acceptability. You can try and increase the short one with a lot of air for an extended period of time.

[Myron Piatek]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lee

You can try and increase the short one with a lot of air for an extended period of time.

I also heard that keeping the aired-up short one in the sun and flipping it like a burger a few times will help also!

[cad]

I had a pair that were 3/4" different. The steering pulled to one side or the other depending on the side the odd one was on. Hoosier recommended stretching. Issue fixed as soon as the new set went on.

[chris ok]

I had the same problem w my goodyears 3/4inch. tried stretching, nfg.
I set tires by measuring around them and not tire pressure as I was tought by a drag racer friend who always measures to get tires equal over making equal pressure.
I have to set one at 11, one at 14.5. I hope to afford a real pair this year.
I know its tough to find your tire size, good luck.
car looked good at 4 wide, sorry I did not get to introduce myself as I was helping a friend and his son in SuperStock.
Chris

[buzzinhalfdozen]

Art, though I've never done it or heard of a drag racer doing it my nephews who circle jerk race do it all the time. They will overinflate a tire, leave it in the sun for a bit all the while checking it's circumference, when it's close they'll let the excess pressure out and remeasure. It takes a while but seems to work for them. WARNING! this is a procedure that people who go round in circles perform use at your own risk! Joe

[Ed Wright]

Did it all the time in my sprint car days. Works on bias tires, doubt it would work with radials. Out in the sun for a few hours with 30 psi will certainly stretch one. Measure it after airing it up, and keep checking. 1/2" is no problem.

[Jeff Lee]

Art,
I had this problem once and M/T offered to replace them free even though they were 1/2 used. Try it. All they can say is no.

[rod]

last summer i bought a pair of Phoenix F/X tires from jegs. i was told they were a matched pair. however when they arrived [and that was one on one day the second on the second day -i had to wonder if that was on purpose] anyway there were, in fact, not matched. when i called jegs, the guy was that was normal and well within what they call matched. it was summer here, so i did the roundy round deal, put the small tire out in the sun. man i did not take long. now the small tire is bigger than the 'big' tire. just by a little, point is if you do that, keep close watch. i have been using a tape and measuring the loaded radius. footprint seems to be only a bit different.
this is a case of becoming smart as you age. i bought my first set in 1967, and i have no idea how many i have bought since. i never ever checked any of those for circumference. point is didn't know, didn't worry. nowadays, you worry about everything and it drives you crazy.
rod in AZ

[Ed Wright]

I found if I stretched one a little too far I could completely deflate it over night, and air it back up to the correct pressure and usually get some of it back.