Alignment Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Wesley Chapel, FL
Alignment Question
I have 22,700 miles on my '05 Z51, original rubber still on the car.
I don't baby the car. I've taken it to an Autocross once. I do suspect that the reason they lasted as long as they did is that I had the car aligned within a couple weeks after taking delivery and one more time after that. I asked for the before & after printouts and the 'before' settings were off both times.
In any case, I noticed some odd chunking on the left rear tire.
I suspect that this is an indication that the alignment is off again. Can anyone confirm?
I don't baby the car. I've taken it to an Autocross once. I do suspect that the reason they lasted as long as they did is that I had the car aligned within a couple weeks after taking delivery and one more time after that. I asked for the before & after printouts and the 'before' settings were off both times.
In any case, I noticed some odd chunking on the left rear tire.
I suspect that this is an indication that the alignment is off again. Can anyone confirm?
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,939
Likes: 448
From: CHOCOWINITY NC
Seen this here before...Always on cars that had track time...I suspect your alignment is fine if you've managed to milk that many miles out of them. Old tiresand high heat cycles from your driving style probably contributed more...
BTW,Those tires don't owe you a thing!
BTW,Those tires don't owe you a thing!
Last edited by Modshack; Oct 18, 2007 at 09:39 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Wesley Chapel, FL
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
Even with the one autocross and somewhat hard driving you're getting (or got) modestly decent mileage out of those tires. If there aren't other signs of unbalanced tire wear, I would not suspect alignment. IMO an autocross can be a violent event for your tires. Did you notice this immediately after your autocross event? I'd keep an eye on the tire until you replace it but wouldn't worry about alignment.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Wesley Chapel, FL
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 164
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If under-pressured that could happen. I run at 35 psi all the way around. Don't know if that's the norm; I just do.
Would be glad to hear what others run.
Not a track-person either; but, have had my spirited moments on the street.
Would be glad to hear what others run.
Not a track-person either; but, have had my spirited moments on the street.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,347
Likes: 25
From: Apache Junction AZ
causing an abnormal flex wrinkle were the tread and side wall meet. Just a guess.
Also, I agree that the alignment is fine. No evidence that camber or toe in/out are off.
BJK
Last edited by 07MontRedcp; Oct 18, 2007 at 10:15 AM.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,300
Likes: 6
From: San Antonio Texas
Your post reminds me of my 76 Toronado. When alignment shop told me I did not need an alignment, I told them that I had not aligned it in 10 years. They said that was because it was a 'real' car--almost 5000 lbs. Looked underneath it, and front end parts looked like they were made for a bulldozer. Those were the good old days.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 484
From: Portland Oregon
My original Goodyear GS-2's (the non Z-51 tire) did the exact same thing about half way through their life. Never really had any problems with them and they wore right through the chipping over time. I always run 30lbs cold but do drive in a lot of mountain pass type roads with sharp turns with a 55 mph speed limit. I suspect that had a lot to do with the wear 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,064
Likes: 6
From: Pinellas Park Florida
The tire was run hard before getting the tires up to temperature. You see this type of chucking on F1 cars when not allowed to come up to temp.
By the way, alignment spec's last until you drive the car on the road then they are no better then the last bump you hit!
By the way, alignment spec's last until you drive the car on the road then they are no better then the last bump you hit!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 153
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From: Wesley Chapel, FL
I suppose that's possible. How long does it typically take for these tires to warm up? (in Florida.) In other words, how does one know if the tires are warmed up?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 972
Likes: 6
From: Middle of Redneck Hell, NC
St. Jude Donor '09
The tread appears to be very close to being worn to the level of the wear indicators along the centerline of the tire.
I think these new 'half moon' shaped chunks are nothing more then a function of wear down to this point. They are only showing up now because you have worn the tread down to the 'magic' point where these extra sipes wear through the tread block surface and become exposed. Maybe it's sign from Goodyear that it's time to buy tires?
It's also possible that excessive temps when the tread was thick could cause them to pop up prematurely.
I doubt it's anything to panic about, but just be aware that these tires could now be VERY treacherous in the rain. Even really good wet performance tires (Michelin Pilots, Goodyear F1 GS-D3's, etc.) can make for a sudden white knuckle ride when they wear to this point.
So take it REALLY easy in the rain til you get some new shoes...
I think these new 'half moon' shaped chunks are nothing more then a function of wear down to this point. They are only showing up now because you have worn the tread down to the 'magic' point where these extra sipes wear through the tread block surface and become exposed. Maybe it's sign from Goodyear that it's time to buy tires?
It's also possible that excessive temps when the tread was thick could cause them to pop up prematurely.
I doubt it's anything to panic about, but just be aware that these tires could now be VERY treacherous in the rain. Even really good wet performance tires (Michelin Pilots, Goodyear F1 GS-D3's, etc.) can make for a sudden white knuckle ride when they wear to this point.
So take it REALLY easy in the rain til you get some new shoes...
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,347
Likes: 25
From: Apache Junction AZ
The tread appears to be very close to being worn to the level of the wear indicators along the centerline of the tire.
I think these new 'half moon' shaped chunks are nothing more then a function of wear down to this point. They are only showing up now because you have worn the tread down to the 'magic' point where these extra sipes wear through the tread block surface and become exposed. Maybe it's sign from Goodyear that it's time to buy tires?
It's also possible that excessive temps when the tread was thick could cause them to pop up prematurely.
I doubt it's anything to panic about, but just be aware that these tires could now be VERY treacherous in the rain. Even really good wet performance tires (Michelin Pilots, Goodyear F1 GS-D3's, etc.) can make for a sudden white knuckle ride when they wear to this point.
So take it REALLY easy in the rain til you get some new shoes...
I think these new 'half moon' shaped chunks are nothing more then a function of wear down to this point. They are only showing up now because you have worn the tread down to the 'magic' point where these extra sipes wear through the tread block surface and become exposed. Maybe it's sign from Goodyear that it's time to buy tires?
It's also possible that excessive temps when the tread was thick could cause them to pop up prematurely.
I doubt it's anything to panic about, but just be aware that these tires could now be VERY treacherous in the rain. Even really good wet performance tires (Michelin Pilots, Goodyear F1 GS-D3's, etc.) can make for a sudden white knuckle ride when they wear to this point.
So take it REALLY easy in the rain til you get some new shoes...
BJK
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,939
Likes: 448
From: CHOCOWINITY NC
Monitor the pressures on the DIC. When the indicated pressures increase roughly 2 psi over the cold pressures, they are probably warm...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Wesley Chapel, FL
When I saw how they far down they were worn this weekend, I made up my mind to get new tires soon. I had the Firestone WideOvals put on this afternoon. We'll see how they do.
Added bonus- the manager at the Firestone said that if I don't like them I can bring them back and have the F1 Supercar tires put on. Not planning on doing that, but it's nice to know that I could if I determine that these tires won't do it for me.
Added bonus- the manager at the Firestone said that if I don't like them I can bring them back and have the F1 Supercar tires put on. Not planning on doing that, but it's nice to know that I could if I determine that these tires won't do it for me.