Coker Tire Redline Radial Tire

[Tom E.]

Thanks Tom

[Frank D.]

Re: Coker Tire Redline Radial Tire

Its pretty well knonw that brand is nothing but trouble; I had the red line Cokers on my Chevelle SS and not only did they ride poorly they had a weird scallop on the sidewall of each one that was glaring. Hard to see in photos but you dang sure see it in person.

[Tom E.]

Re: Coker Tire Redline Radial Tire

Thanks Frank, since this happened I have found other similar complaints. Live and learn!

[Don H.]

Re: Coker Tire Redline Radial Tire

I once read "Friend don't let friends buy Coker!"

[Ed D.]

Re: Coker Tire Redline Radial Tire

Just purchased 4 Firestone Wide Ovals for my 72 from Coker. The physical appearance was bad and the road worthiness is worse. Buy something else. I will explain if you want.
Ed

[Arland D.]

Re: Coker Tire Redline Radial Tire

Tom,

I usually post to threads regarding Coker tires since every red line that was on my 67 coupe either ended up with cracked side walls or separated treads. Maybe they're sufficient for show cars but for my driven cars no more Cokers - ever.

[Kent S.]

Re: Coker Tire Redline Radial Tire

Tom - glad you were able to fix the problem although I'm surprised you were unaware of Coker's reputation. However, I am curious what you mean by the shop being able to "match mount" the tires - how can anything be done about an out of round tire short of shaving the tread?

[Frank D.]

Re: Coker Tire Redline Radial Tire

Perhaps by mounting the tire on a rim that is a bit out of balance in an opposing effect to a specific tire...
I can't imagine what else it could be...

[Leif A.]

Re: Coker Tire Redline Radial Tire

You can "balance" an out of round tire but, at the end of the day, the tire is still out of round and, IMHO, I would never drive on them. If the reasoning behind buying the Coker tire and retaining them (even though, obviously, defective) is for static show purposes...then OK. My '67 came with Coker red lines and I wouldn't even drive it until I received my first set of Diamondbacks...just too scary.

[Tom E.]

Re: Coker Tire Redline Radial Tire

Frank hit it exactly! Not sure what they use to determine the high/heavy spots but they did dismount the tires to do it. I probably researched darn near everything I did on the car several times over during restoration but for some reason I missed the bad rap on the tires. I plan on replacing with Diamond Back Michelin Redlines.

Thanks Lief,
your response came in while I was typing. Trust me, those tires will be leaving shortly!
Tom

[Leif A.]

Re: Coker Tire Redline Radial Tire

Frank hit it exactly! Not sure what they use to determine the high/heavy spots but they did dismount the tires to do it. I probably researched darn near everything I did on the car several times over during restoration but for some reason I missed the bad rap on the tires. I plan on replacing with Diamond Back Michelin Redlines.

Thanks Lief,
your response came in while I was typing. Trust me, those tires will be leaving shortly!
Tom

Tom,
My first set of Diamondback red lines were the Micheline Defender series in 215/70R15. After 35000 miles of terrific service (and, barely any weights to balance), it was time to order another set. Unfortunately, Michelin no longer makes a 215/70R15 tire so this go round I ordered Diamondback SS redline. An American manufactured radial tire that has a nice, smooth sidewall. Been driving on them this summer (about 3000 miles) and they ride and drive very nicely.

[Tom E.]

Re: Coker Tire Redline Radial Tire

Leif,
What size are those SS Diamond Backs you are running? I am currently running the 205/75-15 but I see they only have the 215/70 available.
Tom

[Tim S.]

Re: Coker Tire Redline Radial Tire

The Coker's are a disappointment. Last year I had a customer bring me a set of Wide Oval radials for his 70 GTO Judge. They wouldn't balance worth a *****!. I did the match mounting with a little improvement, but then took them to a local shop for road force balancing. After the road force balancer condemned 2 of the 4 tires, the customer called Coker to get them replaced. They were out of round on my balancer and I even use the lug centric adapters (as opposed to hub centric).

Coker's answer? They don't recommend road force balancing on any of their tires. I can only suspect that is due to the drastic rise in defect rates they would realize.

[Tim S.]

Re: Coker Tire Redline Radial Tire

I'll add to my previous post about lug centric balancing. I solved many of my issues by switching to lug centric mounting on the balancer as opposed to hub centric. Even on a simple wheel like the steel wheels on our Corvettes, there is a noticeable reduction in weight useage and repeatable results when using the lug centric or "pin plates" on the wheels.

The wheel pictured is a Ralley II off of my 71 Trans Am. The hub center is nothing close to concentric. The same could be said for the Pontiac honeycombs as well. That's is what got me to buy the pin plates in the first place. Not every shop has them, (at least $1000 for the plate set) and it takes some more labor. I'd highly suggest any of you ask about them and look for a shop that can balance with these for our old cars.

Tim

[Leif A.]

Re: Coker Tire Redline Radial Tire

Leif,
What size are those SS Diamond Backs you are running? I am currently running the 205/75-15 but I see they only have the 215/70 available.
Tom

Tom,
They're 215/70R15...that's all I've ever run. Virtually the same height as the 205/75 but a bit wider. Zero issues with clearance.