Help on tire placement

[JPMS GT]

I know, I know on the bottom of the car!

I have an '04 GT with 205 X 50 X 17" tires on stock GT rims and 12,000 Mi.
I swivered to avoid a pothole but caught the reght rear and within a mile it was flat. I put on the doughnut and went to a Goodyear store. No road hazard warranty! Estimate was $225. Went to local DC and got same thing. I figured I didn't want to shell out the money just yet for four new upgraded tires so I found another GY for $200 and had it installed on the RR.
I asked if it wouldn't ge better for a new tire to go on the front where it would wear faster. He said no that it could cause it to shimmy. OK it's on the RR.
THE QUESTION IS Would it be better on the front? If the car is one wheel drive, which front is the drive wheel? I think it's the right one; I mean I could get this new tire down to match the other three in no time!!!

Could I get some informed opinions on where to put the new one?

Thanks,

John [?]

[CREWZIN]

Personally, with only 12K, the other tires shouldn't be too bad, so like you said, I'd stick it on the drive wheel. Which one it is [:I] probably the drivers side.

[slartyblarfast]

In an extreme case having the new tire on the front may cause a slight pull. That's the only problem I can see with having the new one on the front.

[purple04]

Most of the weight and braking, and all of the power and steering are done by the fronts. That said, the most common flat is the right rear. Ask anyone who's worked a tire store for a while. Seems there is more stuff on the side of the road (right) and that it gets 'spit' up and then run over by the rear. I'd put it on the rear. Keep the matched set in front (even if it's not that much) and as you've felt, a rear flat is scary! For an explaination of the "one wheel drive", try http://auto.howstuffworks.com/differential.htm

[budrzgt]

HI JPMS GT

if the installer said it cause a shimmy? may be the rim is bent?

BUD

[quicksilverdon]

Sounds like installer was just lazy. Why would it cause a shimmy?
I had 2 destroyed tires - both potholes, both right front, one bad enough to crack the rim!

[JPMS GT]

You may be right Don. I've put a few miles on it (RR) and it seems OK. I think I'll shift it to the RF and see how it goes. Mike-in-Orange and some of the California Speedway guys say they burn rubber with one front wheel (no LSD)so maybe I can wear this one down to match the others! [8)]

[MichaelDay]

quote:Originally posted by JPMS GT

You may be right Don. I've put a few miles on it (RR) and it seems OK. I think I'll shift it to the RF and see how it goes. Mike-in-Orange and some of the California Speedway guys say they burn rubber with one front wheel (no LSD)so maybe I can wear this one down to match the others! [8)]

Yep, that right front seems to go away in a hurry if you like to stand on it.