Riddle Me This! Abnormal Tire Wear

[trebuchet03]

Originally Posted by TestDrive

Take a look at the figure in Step 1 of this article.
The image in the first post of this forum thread may also be useful.

So the wear I'm measuring on two of my tires is that of under inflation - just like this image, just not to the degree.

I might just bring it in for a 4 wheel alignment.

[trebuchet03]

Okay, so I found the problem... And it was an easy fix....

It was me :X

I remeasured, and noticed a chamfer on inside the tread valley (I guess to reduce stress concentration).... My caliper was resting on the chamfer, not completely seated in the valley... Measured from the center of the valley (not on the chamfer) - everything is nominal...

Side to Center to Side - everything is within a couple thousandths I'm good to go for another 25K miles, at high pressure and even wear

Sorry for the bad call Thanks for the help

[jazzie604]

In the immortal words of Homer Simpson "DOH!!!"

[TestDrive]

Originally Posted by trebuchet03

I remeasured, and noticed a chamfer on inside the tread valley (I guess to reduce stress concentration).... My caliper was resting on the chamfer, not completely seated in the valley... Measured from the center of the valley (not on the chamfer) - everything is nominal...

I'm guessing that by chamfer you mean the 2/32" high wear indicators molded into most tires.
(I believe US DOT requires them in passenger car tires.)

Example 1

from Tires, Page 3 of 4

Example 2

from Checking Your Tires for Wear - For Dummies

FWIW - I prefer a standard tread depth gage ($2-$3 from any auto parts store).
The compact design makes it easy to use in the wheel wells of most passenger cars.

[Frank Lee]

"Boo Hoo to you everyone that said I'd wear out my centers at these pressures "

Well it looks like those pressures will work out for you. I do know, however, that I've had tires wear just like the "overinflation" pic in post 11. Vehicle was almost always very lightly loaded, and at max sidewall psi. Are tires different now? Were the rims too narrow for that tire? I dunno. But overinflation wear down the middle is not a myth.

[TestDrive]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

I do know, however, that I've had tires wear just like the "overinflation" pic in post 11. Vehicle was almost always very lightly loaded, and at max sidewall psi. Are tires different now? Were the rims too narrow for that tire? I dunno. But overinflation wear down the middle is not a myth.

Yep, no myth. I've had tires wear like that to. I'd guess that old style, bias ply tires were more prone to that type of wear?

[taco]

i get digional wear heal toe.??

can u expain what u found?

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by TestDrive

Yep, no myth. I've had tires wear like that to. I'd guess that old style, bias ply tires were more prone to that type of wear?

They are, but these were radials.

[bikin' Ed]

Originally Posted by taco

i get digional wear heal toe.??

can u expain what u found?

Diagonal wear is most likely a bearing or race.

[taco]

is diagonal like feathered? cause it is both front and even, it has done this for years.