Do I have an alignment problem?? Tire wear pics inside
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Joined: Jun 1999
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From: San Antonio Texas
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Do I have an alignment problem?? Tire wear pics inside
I had my front tires replaced today after putting over 40K miles on them. I need some advice as to what type of wear problem I have here. Both shoulders on both front tires were bald, bald, BALD!! One tire was so worn the metal belt was showing. (BTW, I knew about this tire wear a few months ago but had to wait to get new tires til now)
Here is a pic of the Right Front tire as the car is coming toward you.
And here is the Left Front tire going away from you.
notice how badly worn the inside shoulder is on the Left Front tire. Is this an alignment issue? Since I just had new tires put on I want to get this corrected if possible before I put too many miles on the new tires. The old tires had been on the car for 3 yrs. These tires have NEVER been autocrossed or road raced, simply hard driving on the street.
And advice, comments, experience is greatly appreciated.
[Modified by Tormania, 10:23 PM 5/6/2004]
Here is a pic of the Right Front tire as the car is coming toward you.
And here is the Left Front tire going away from you.
notice how badly worn the inside shoulder is on the Left Front tire. Is this an alignment issue? Since I just had new tires put on I want to get this corrected if possible before I put too many miles on the new tires. The old tires had been on the car for 3 yrs. These tires have NEVER been autocrossed or road raced, simply hard driving on the street.
And advice, comments, experience is greatly appreciated.
[Modified by Tormania, 10:23 PM 5/6/2004]
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 94
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From: Lexington Ky
Re: Do I have an alignment problem?? Tire wear pics inside (Tormania)
40k miles! :shocked: No wonder they're so worn out. How many miles are you expecting to get out of high performance tires? I think most people on here get somewhere around 25k-30k miles tops.
I think if the tires are underinflated, it will wear the outside edges of the tires more than the middle. Maybe that's why the wear is worse on the edges?
[Modified by Sssmokin'Z06, 11:22 PM 5/6/2004]
[Modified by Sssmokin'Z06, 11:25 PM 5/6/2004]
I think if the tires are underinflated, it will wear the outside edges of the tires more than the middle. Maybe that's why the wear is worse on the edges?
[Modified by Sssmokin'Z06, 11:22 PM 5/6/2004]
[Modified by Sssmokin'Z06, 11:25 PM 5/6/2004]
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: San Antonio Texas
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Re: Do I have an alignment problem?? Tire wear pics inside (Sssmokin'Z06)
40k miles! :shocked: No wonder they're so worn out. How many miles are you expecting to get out of high performance tires. I think most people on here get somewhere around 25k-30k miles tops.
[Modified by Sssmokin'Z06, 11:22 PM 5/6/2004]
[Modified by Sssmokin'Z06, 11:22 PM 5/6/2004]
[Modified by Tormania, 10:25 PM 5/6/2004]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,296
Likes: 30
From: Friendswood, Tx
Re: Do I have an alignment problem?? Tire wear pics inside (Tormania)
Your joking right? 40k miles and your wondering why their worn? :shocked: :lolg: I replaced my fronts at 20k.
You might consider calling "Ripley's Believe It or Not" :jester
You might consider calling "Ripley's Believe It or Not" :jester
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1
From: Wilmington NC
Re: Do I have an alignment problem?? Tire wear pics inside (Tormania)
I had my front tires replaced today after putting over 40K miles on them. I need some advice as to what type of wear problem I have here. Both shoulders on both front tires were bald, bald, BALD!! One tire was so worn the metal belt was showing. (BTW, I knew about this tire wear a few months ago but had to wait to get new tires til now)
Here is a pic of the Right Front tire as the car is coming toward you.
And here is the Left Front tire going away from you.
notice how badly worn the inside shoulder is on the Left Front tire. Is this an alignment issue? Since I just had new tires put on I want to get this corrected if possible before I put too many miles on the new tires. The old tires had been on the car for 3 yrs. These tires have NEVER been autocrossed or road raced, simply hard driving on the street.
And advice, comments, experience is greatly appreciated.
[Modified by Tormania, 10:23 PM 5/6/2004]
Here is a pic of the Right Front tire as the car is coming toward you.
And here is the Left Front tire going away from you.
notice how badly worn the inside shoulder is on the Left Front tire. Is this an alignment issue? Since I just had new tires put on I want to get this corrected if possible before I put too many miles on the new tires. The old tires had been on the car for 3 yrs. These tires have NEVER been autocrossed or road raced, simply hard driving on the street.
And advice, comments, experience is greatly appreciated.
[Modified by Tormania, 10:23 PM 5/6/2004]
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: granada hills california
Re: Do I have an alignment problem?? Tire wear pics inside (Tormania)
I have 20,000 and im on my 3rd set of rears and second set of fronts. Have you ever broke the tires loose , are those off a corvette? I would'nt change a thing although there is some wear characteristics. you could be the first to get 50,000miles on a set of tires.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Various places in Southern California.
Re: Do I have an alignment problem?? Tire wear pics inside (Richin Chicago)
Looks like you used all those tires! You may have gone to negative camber if you lowered the car. At least that is what the tresd pattern indicates.
Ding Ding Ding! :iagree:
The wear pattern really isn't too bad at all, but you probably do have just a slight amount of extra negative camber. I would also say that your tire pressure was just a little low, since the centers wore slightly more slowly than the edges.
Overall, though, at 40,000 miles, you did fine. I wouldn't change a thing. I've got 31,000 miles on my original tires and I'm down to 3/32s up front and about 2/32s in the rear. My driving is almost exclusively highway miles, so there's very little stress on the tires.
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,411
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From: Wilmington NC
Re: Do I have an alignment problem?? Tire wear pics inside (Duck916)
Looks like you used all those tires! You may have gone to negative camber if you lowered the car. At least that is what the tresd pattern indicates.
Ding Ding Ding! :iagree:
The wear pattern really isn't too bad at all, but you probably do have just a slight amount of extra negative camber. I would also say that your tire pressure was just a little low, since the centers wore slightly more slowly than the edges.
Overall, though, at 40,000 miles, you did fine. I wouldn't change a thing. I've got 31,000 miles on my original tires and I'm down to 3/32s up front and about 2/32s in the rear. My driving is almost exclusively highway miles, so there's very little stress on the tires.
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Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Overwhelmed as one would be, placed in my position.... DFW, TX
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: Do I have an alignment problem?? Tire wear pics inside (Duck916)
Looks like you used all those tires! You may have gone to negative camber if you lowered the car. At least that is what the tresd pattern indicates.
Ding Ding Ding! :iagree:
The wear pattern really isn't too bad at all, but you probably do have just a slight amount of extra negative camber. I would also say that your tire pressure was just a little low, since the centers wore slightly more slowly than the edges.
Overall, though, at 40,000 miles, you did fine. I wouldn't change a thing. I've got 31,000 miles on my original tires and I'm down to 3/32s up front and about 2/32s in the rear. My driving is almost exclusively highway miles, so there's very little stress on the tires.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 8,205
Likes: 40
From: Tucson AZ
Re: Do I have an alignment problem?? Tire wear pics inside (Tormania)
You have been running the tires in an under inflated condition. Everyone has their idea about the "correct" tire pressure, but for street / highway tires, I would suggest you run 32 lbs cold pressure. This is a good compromise between "performance" and wear. :smash: :yesnod: :)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,989
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From: Columbus OH
Re: Do I have an alignment problem?? Tire wear pics inside (Tormania)
LOL. You got 40k miles from your front tires and you are complaining ?? Tires wear out, you know ;) I hate tires that are more than a year old and I only put 4k miles a year on mine. If the money and my conscience allow, I would like to have fresh tires every year :)
The bald shoulders show that you should increase your tire pressure. The wear is not so bad though. If the one shoulder with cord showing was placed on the inside, you need to take corners harder :) If it's on the outside, check your camber and toe. Adding negative camber maybe needed.
Check your tire pressure once a week at the very least. This should be done in the morning (when ambient temperature is lowest) before you drive off. Make sure that the car hasn't been driven for the last 6 hours or so prior to checking.
The bald shoulders show that you should increase your tire pressure. The wear is not so bad though. If the one shoulder with cord showing was placed on the inside, you need to take corners harder :) If it's on the outside, check your camber and toe. Adding negative camber maybe needed.
Check your tire pressure once a week at the very least. This should be done in the morning (when ambient temperature is lowest) before you drive off. Make sure that the car hasn't been driven for the last 6 hours or so prior to checking.
Team Owner
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From: Various places in Southern California.
Re: Do I have an alignment problem?? Tire wear pics inside (Richin Chicago)
I know you don't get much rain where you live but those treads are down in the hydroplane territory!
Thread Starter
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From: San Antonio Texas
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Re: Do I have an alignment problem?? Tire wear pics inside (Richin Chicago)
I know you don't get much rain where you live but those treads are down in the hydroplane territory!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 876
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From: Prescott Valley, AZ
Re: Do I have an alignment problem?? Tire wear pics inside (Tormania)
That wear pattern is typical for the fronts. The inside shoulder of both my fronts was down to the belt at 25k miles on my Z. Backs only last me about 18k. And that's just general driving. I've owned 5 Vettes and have NEVER gotten 40k on tires. GM sets them up aggresively so they remain nice and flat during hard cornering. You could change the alignment characteristcs but your performance will suffer.
Just get a new set and be thrilled you got 40k in the first place! :yesnod:
mark
Just get a new set and be thrilled you got 40k in the first place! :yesnod:
mark
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,450
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From: Maryville TN
St. Jude Donor '06-13,'16-'17, '19
Re: Do I have an alignment problem?? Tire wear pics inside (mmorse)
:iagree: I've owned 2 C5s and both of them wore the front tires out on the inside edges.
I'm not saying that this is correct alignment, just that it seems fairly typical.
Tom :steering:
I'm not saying that this is correct alignment, just that it seems fairly typical.
Tom :steering:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,507
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From: Sausalito CA
Re: Do I have an alignment problem?? Tire wear pics inside (Tormania)
Yep under-inflation is the main issue.
What pressure did you run?
I have posted before that I increase my front and decrease my rear Firestone RFT pressure to stabilize tire wear. I am currently running 36 psi cold in the front in an effort to not retain any center tread as this posts example.
Second issue is tire belting showing on one tire and not the other.
Baring more right than left turns, that you never drive on a straight highway or roadway and the crown of the road, I would offer that one side of the Vette is not aligned the same as the other. Either toe or camber would be my .02.
So, find a good shop, tip the tech (just seems to be required if you want care in my neck of the woods) check the specs and realign noting the good side wear quality.
I quess you could look for a loose tie rod end or non-torqued suspension bolts also.
What pressure did you run?
I have posted before that I increase my front and decrease my rear Firestone RFT pressure to stabilize tire wear. I am currently running 36 psi cold in the front in an effort to not retain any center tread as this posts example.
Second issue is tire belting showing on one tire and not the other.
Baring more right than left turns, that you never drive on a straight highway or roadway and the crown of the road, I would offer that one side of the Vette is not aligned the same as the other. Either toe or camber would be my .02.
So, find a good shop, tip the tech (just seems to be required if you want care in my neck of the woods) check the specs and realign noting the good side wear quality.
I quess you could look for a loose tie rod end or non-torqued suspension bolts also.
