Front Tire Tread Question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 327
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From: My house in the middle of my street GA
Front Tire Tread Question
Was painting my rotors last night (will send pics later) and noticed the passenger side front tire (runflat) is worn on the inside tread more so than the outside. Check the air pressure and both are inflated to the correct psi (30). Could it be the alginment (but wouldn't both tires have uneven wear). Or could be the tire is out of balance. I might have to replace the tire but want to correct a problem before i spend the $$$$ on a new $300 tire.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Keller, TX
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by J's Toy
Was painting my rotors last night (will send pics later) and noticed the passenger side front tire (runflat) is worn on the inside tread more so than the outside. Check the air pressure and both are inflated to the correct psi (30). Could it be the alginment (but wouldn't both tires have uneven wear). Or could be the tire is out of balance. I might have to replace the tire but want to correct a problem before i spend the $$$$ on a new $300 tire.
Glad you posted... I have the same issue. Inside worn to the wear bars. I've had it aligned twice in the 24k I have on the car.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 327
Likes: 0
From: My house in the middle of my street GA
Originally Posted by TripleBlackxTwo
Glad you posted... I have the same issue. Inside worn to the wear bars. I've had it aligned twice in the 24k I have on the car.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,164
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I have the same problem too. I think it is alignment issues. Do you drive through corners hard? I do sometimes, and maybe that contributes to the wear. But it should wear evenly....I hope others contribute to this post, because it is an issue
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
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From: Waldorf MD
I'm told this inside wear is normal for a standard aligned C5, IF you do more straight line highway driving than corners/curves. If you do a lot of corners/curves they should wear even. Even with inside wearing, I got 55,000 miles on front tires, can't complain about this.
There are alternative alignment specifications, if you want to try those.
There are alternative alignment specifications, if you want to try those.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 327
Likes: 0
From: My house in the middle of my street GA
Originally Posted by Oldvetter
I'm told this inside wear is normal for a standard aligned C5, IF you do more straight line highway driving than corners/curves. If you do a lot of corners/curves they should wear even. Even with inside wearing, I got 55,000 miles on front tires, can't complain about this.
There are alternative alignment specifications, if you want to try those.
There are alternative alignment specifications, if you want to try those.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,233
Likes: 21
From: Baltimore suburbs Maryland
Alignment, or worn suspension parts.
I had a worn right REAR tie rod (it had a LITTLE bit of play in it) and it caused my car to wander all over the road. Drove me crazy. The rear was able to "push" the front tires that my front right tire wore funny like crazy. I discovered it by accident when I had the car jacked up one day, I noticed a little bit of play in that tire.
Replaced the tie rod, got a GOOD QUALITY alignment at a good shop with a good machine and a good technician. Its been almost a year later, 15K miles of daily driver use over a variety of roads and my tires are evenly worn all the way around.
The C5, due to its wider then average tires, is very sensitive to alignment. Make sure the CROSS CASTER is 0. Many shops will not adjust the caster cause on most cars it is not adjustable, but on the C5, it is. They must match or the car will pull, and pulling will eventually wear the tires.
I had a worn right REAR tie rod (it had a LITTLE bit of play in it) and it caused my car to wander all over the road. Drove me crazy. The rear was able to "push" the front tires that my front right tire wore funny like crazy. I discovered it by accident when I had the car jacked up one day, I noticed a little bit of play in that tire.
Replaced the tie rod, got a GOOD QUALITY alignment at a good shop with a good machine and a good technician. Its been almost a year later, 15K miles of daily driver use over a variety of roads and my tires are evenly worn all the way around.
The C5, due to its wider then average tires, is very sensitive to alignment. Make sure the CROSS CASTER is 0. Many shops will not adjust the caster cause on most cars it is not adjustable, but on the C5, it is. They must match or the car will pull, and pulling will eventually wear the tires.
Last edited by eRiCdWoNg; Oct 19, 2005 at 03:21 PM.
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
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C5 Alignment
6.5° --- front caster angle --- SAE SP-1282
0.2° --- rear caster angle --- SAE SP-1282
36mm --- front caster trail --- SAE SP-1282
63mm --- front spindle length --- SAE SP-1282
50.7mm --- rear spindle length --- SAE SP-1282
8.8° --- front kingpin angle --- SAE SP-1282
9.2° --- rear kingpin angle (inclination) --- SAE SP-1282
10mm --- front scrub radius --- SAE SP-1282
1.0mm --- rear scrub radius --- SAE SP-1282
1.34:1 --- front shock lever arm ratio --- SAE SP-1282
1.43:1 --- rear shock lever arm ratio --- SAE SP-1282
5.2 --- rear side-view swing arm angle --- SAE SP-1282
It's all in Leafyte's sticky at the top of C5 Gen!
6.5° --- front caster angle --- SAE SP-1282
0.2° --- rear caster angle --- SAE SP-1282
36mm --- front caster trail --- SAE SP-1282
63mm --- front spindle length --- SAE SP-1282
50.7mm --- rear spindle length --- SAE SP-1282
8.8° --- front kingpin angle --- SAE SP-1282
9.2° --- rear kingpin angle (inclination) --- SAE SP-1282
10mm --- front scrub radius --- SAE SP-1282
1.0mm --- rear scrub radius --- SAE SP-1282
1.34:1 --- front shock lever arm ratio --- SAE SP-1282
1.43:1 --- rear shock lever arm ratio --- SAE SP-1282
5.2 --- rear side-view swing arm angle --- SAE SP-1282
It's all in Leafyte's sticky at the top of C5 Gen!
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If you are not having any wheel shimmy, I would guess it is not the balance. Try getting your alignment checked - bet that is the problem if the air pressure is OK.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 327
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From: My house in the middle of my street GA
Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
If you are not having any wheel shimmy, I would guess it is not the balance. Try getting your alignment checked - bet that is the problem if the air pressure is OK.
Thanks for all the information guys.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 325
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From: Plymouth MN
mine are the same, but on both sides. did an alignment about one year ago and the tramlining has subsided although not entirely.
my mechanic told me last summer, "front tires show the normal inside wear, will need replacing in a couple thousand miles".
normal? probably, but is that an indicator of an ongoing problem? or the setup and it is "normal"? dunno...
my mechanic told me last summer, "front tires show the normal inside wear, will need replacing in a couple thousand miles".
normal? probably, but is that an indicator of an ongoing problem? or the setup and it is "normal"? dunno...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Madison (Huntsville) Alabama
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St. Jude Donor '09
I just replaced my tires, and one front was worn on the inside to the cord, the other was worn on the outside to the cord. Lots of tread left on the other side of both tires. One of the rears was like that too, and the other was fairly normal.
I had an alignment done about 6 months ago when I noticed the uneven wearing, but I think they continue to wear unevenly once they start, even with the proper alignment.
It's worth keeping an eye on, and you can't really see it with a casual glance ... you've gotta get down on the ground and look.
I got a 3-year alignment this time, so it's going into the shop every two or three months for a check.
I had an alignment done about 6 months ago when I noticed the uneven wearing, but I think they continue to wear unevenly once they start, even with the proper alignment.
It's worth keeping an eye on, and you can't really see it with a casual glance ... you've gotta get down on the ground and look.
I got a 3-year alignment this time, so it's going into the shop every two or three months for a check.
Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 697
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From: Up North Wisconsin
Standard C5 alignment promotes cornering at the expence of inner front tire wear. Less negative camber will lessen inner tire wear as will a toe setting closer to zero. I set my C5 with new Kumhos at -.03 camber, 0 cross camber, and toe at .02, caster at 7.4. it drives straight and true and is a new car to drive. Time will tell for tire wear.
Race Director
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From: The Beautiful Greater Bay Area California
As an issue of proper maintainance, and, also as a preferred method to improve tire wear and longevity, it is always prudent to inspect your suspension and alignment, as well as, actually align the vehicle (a true four wheel alignment) every 3K-4K miles. And, most especially so, if you have struck a curb, pothole, ditch, etc.
Regarding alignment specs, there are many setting scenarios. However, for a daily driver and commuter vehicle that is not a dedicated track car, C5 coupe specs offer the best setting that extracts the best tire wear and longevity. Alternatively, C5 Z06 specs tend to be conducive to premature inside edge wear (but, great for high speed cornering). Lastly, diligently maintaining 30psi cold air pressure (inspect your tires weekly) in the tires at all corners is best for even tire wear. Best of luck to you.
Regarding alignment specs, there are many setting scenarios. However, for a daily driver and commuter vehicle that is not a dedicated track car, C5 coupe specs offer the best setting that extracts the best tire wear and longevity. Alternatively, C5 Z06 specs tend to be conducive to premature inside edge wear (but, great for high speed cornering). Lastly, diligently maintaining 30psi cold air pressure (inspect your tires weekly) in the tires at all corners is best for even tire wear. Best of luck to you.