ScaldedCat

I've just found a puncture on my drivers-side front tyre, and was about to get it replaced when my mate told me that I had to get all four changed at the same time due to the possibility of damage to the 4WD system. Eh?

I remember something similar about the Calibra Turbos back in the 1990s, but surely the Impreza isn't that sensitive?

myblackwrx

iTrader: (1)

Can the tyre be repaired?
There is no reason to change all 4 tyres (well i haven't in the last 5 years of Impreza ownership ,a 93 wrx,and have never had any problems) i do however change both tyres on a single axle

ScaldedCat

I'm not sure it can be repaired - it has what looks to be a large bottle cap with a screw embedded into the tread, but am off to the tyre place when it opens at 9.30am.

Thanks for the info on replacing tyres per axle; that makes more sense (and a lot cheaper than having to replace all four!).

Mrfastbaz

I USED TO OWN A JEEP AND WAS ADVISED THAT YOU SHOULD ALWAYS REPLACE A PAIR ON THE SAME AXLE...... THIS STOPS DAMAGE TO THE DRIVETRAIN...... UNFORTUNATELY FOR ME ALL FOUR WORE OUT SO HAD TO REPLACE THE LOT IN ONE GO.....

dunx

iTrader: (3)

Mostly depends on just how worn the other tyres are, nearly knackered buy two, if not then it should be o.k.

IMHO

DunxC

ScaldedCat

I replaced both the fronts in the end. The thing I was most concerned about was matching the grip levels on the front in an emergency/heavy braking situation to prevent the car snaking. Job done!

jasonius

iTrader: (1)

That sounds exactly like what I had in my n/s/f a few months ago..!

Fortunately, it could be repaired, which I was pleased about as the tyres were only 6mths old.

Italian Jobber

As there is less stress transmitted to the rear tyres on the Impreza your safer fitting the repaired tyre to the rear axle.
if I were you I'd stick both front tyres on the rear axle.

ScaldedCat

I'm now running with two different types of tyre on the car: Hancook Ventus Sport on the front two, and Pirelli P-Zeros on the rear two. The place I got the new tyres from didn't have P-Zeros in stock and I needed the car back on the road ASAP at the time so didn't have a lot of choice!

To be honest, I absolutely hate the 'feel' of the Hancooks on the car and I've lost that trust in the car when going into roundabouts spiritedly. Even a play with various pressures hasn't improved anything.

Should I swap the fronts to the backs (and vice versa)? I'm reluctant to fork out more money to replace the Hancooks considering how new they are, but will if need be.