Question: After storing my 1955 Lincoln for the winter I took it for a ride and was greeted by a heavy “thumping” that got faster as the car went faster. It wasn’t really a sound. The car actually jumped. It happened at just about any speed but it got faster as the car went faster. It seemed to get better as I drove the car, but I can still feel it at any speed. A friend suggested it might be the tires. Any thoughts?
Answer: Is there any possibility that you ran over a raccoon? If not, then I think your friend is on the right track. Your tires probably developed “flat spots” during the time that your car was stored. This is very likely considering the weight of a 1955 Lincoln. Once this has happened, there’s not much you can do. Sometimes it will go away with use and sometimes it won’t. I would suggest inflating the tires to the maximum pressure that’s listed on the sidewall, and driving the car at speeds below 40 miles per hour. It’s been my experience that if it doesn’t go away within about twenty miles of driving, then it probably won’t go away at all. Although this is entirely unscientific, I think you might stand a better chance once the weather gets warmer and the rubber tires are softer.
But check for that raccoon first!
Answer: Is there any possibility that you ran over a raccoon? If not, then I think your friend is on the right track. Your tires probably developed “flat spots” during the time that your car was stored. This is very likely considering the weight of a 1955 Lincoln. Once this has happened, there’s not much you can do. Sometimes it will go away with use and sometimes it won’t. I would suggest inflating the tires to the maximum pressure that’s listed on the sidewall, and driving the car at speeds below 40 miles per hour. It’s been my experience that if it doesn’t go away within about twenty miles of driving, then it probably won’t go away at all. Although this is entirely unscientific, I think you might stand a better chance once the weather gets warmer and the rubber tires are softer.
But check for that raccoon first!
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