Uneven wear on rear tyres

[staffop]

I've noticed on both of my rear tyres (Bridgestone Turanzas) that there is uneven wear across the tread. Looking at the rear of the vehicle from the back the inside edge of both rear tyres is quite heavily worn but the rest of the tread on both tyres is well within the legal requirements (4-5mm +)
Is this the usual pattern of wear for the rear tyres or is it caused by another factor such as under inflation or a problem with the air suspension ?

[TQ2K]

Originally Posted by staffop

I've noticed on both of my rear tyres (Bridgestone Turanzas) that there is uneven wear across the tread. Looking at the rear of the vehicle from the back the inside edge of both rear tyres is quite heavily worn but the rest of the tread on both tyres is well within the legal requirements (4-5mm +)
Is this the usual pattern of wear for the rear tyres or is it caused by another factor such as under inflation or a problem with the air suspension ?

Seems like an alignment issue, when was the last time the wheel alignment was checked/adjusted?

[breytonX5]

Originally Posted by staffop

I've noticed on both of my rear tyres (Bridgestone Turanzas) that there is uneven wear across the tread. Looking at the rear of the vehicle from the back the inside edge of both rear tyres is quite heavily worn but the rest of the tread on both tyres is well within the legal requirements (4-5mm +)
Is this the usual pattern of wear for the rear tyres or is it caused by another factor such as under inflation or a problem with the air suspension ?

This "inside" tire wear is quite common if you have 19 or 20" staggered tire size setup and is due to the negative camber (toe in). But if your wear is excessive then there may be other factors involved as you suggested and also could be due to alignment issue as TQ2K mentioned above.

[dkl]

I have those exact Bridgestone tires and my X is doing the same thing. I do agree that the negative camber is causing this unusual wear pattern, but is there much of an adjustment that can be made (to a point of -1 or 0 camber) since the X was designed to have a bit of a negative camber (-4 in the rear, I believed) to begin with? At some point, I might consider dismounting the tires and put them on opposite wheels (move the wear side to the outside of the wheels) to try to get more milage out of it. But I'm not sure if it's cost effective due to all the labors involved to get a few extra miles (mounting/dismounting, rebalancing, and the most important one...chances that those tire tech will damage my wheels in the process).

Staffop, increasing the tire pressure may help, but very minor. I'm already running my rears at 35-36psi since new and I'm seeing same problem as you do. So, the only other thing is try an alignment as others have suggested and see if the shop can get as much of the negative camber out as possible.

[SANguru]

check tire pressure also.

[withidl]

Originally Posted by dkl

I have those exact Bridgestone tires and my X is doing the same thing. I do agree that the negative camber is causing this unusual wear pattern, but is there much of an adjustment that can be made (to a point of -1 or 0 camber) since the X was designed to have a bit of a negative camber (-4 in the rear, I believed) to begin with? At some point, I might consider dismounting the tires and put them on opposite wheels (move the wear side to the outside of the wheels) to try to get more milage out of it. But I'm not sure if it's cost effective due to all the labors involved to get a few extra miles (mounting/dismounting, rebalancing, and the most important one...chances that those tire tech will damage my wheels in the process).

Staffop, increasing the tire pressure may help, but very minor. I'm already running my rears at 35-36psi since new and I'm seeing same problem as you do. So, the only other thing is try an alignment as others have suggested and see if the shop can get as much of the negative camber out as possible.

Flip the tires to put the inside out as I have done (NTB charged $13.00 total to flip & balance) and it will double the mileage. DON'T REALIGHN the rear (it ain't broke, so don't fix it) as the negative camber is there for handling purposes AND you risk screwing it up.

[SANguru]

wow.. hold up there.. you can't "flip" and make it inside out. the other and inner sidewalls are different.

Originally Posted by withidl

Flip the tires to put the inside out as I have done (NTB charged $13.00 total to flip & balance) and it will double the mileage. DON'T REALIGHN the rear (it ain't broke, so don't fix it) as the negative camber is there for handling purposes AND you risk screwing it up.

[withidl]

Originally Posted by SANguru

wow.. hold up there.. you can't "flip" and make it inside out. the other and inner sidewalls are different.

Yes, it can be done and I HAVE DONE IT. The inside wall of the tire is not as cosmeticly presentable, but then clean black, is clean black, as the cosmetics really don't show unless your very close. Because of the negative camber, once the tires are "flipped" on the wheel the now outer worn edge doesn't even contact the pavement and therefore wear on the now worn outer edge ceases. At $250+ each new rear tire, the $13 "flipping" charge is a no-brainer.

[fln8tive]

I run 38-39psi on the rear. 19" Michelins. Wear appears dead even.

[SANguru]

just because you have done it doesn't mean it's recommended. You should seriously consider reading the label on the tire. It WILL affect handling on some tires as the outer sidewall is constructed differently (material and stiffness) and it specifically states that it could cause harm or injury. The Sp9000's on my M5, the F1 GS-D3's on my wife's S4, Continental sport scontact 2s, and my pilot sports on my old M3 ALL had the warning labels of making sure the side marked outside is indeed install outside.

Originally Posted by withidl

Yes, it can be done and I HAVE DONE IT. The inside wall of the tire is not as cosmeticly presentable, but then clean black, is clean black, as the cosmetics really don't show unless your very close. Because of the negative camber, once the tires are "flipped" on the wheel the now outer worn edge doesn't even contact the pavement and therefore wear on the now worn outer edge ceases. At $250+ each new rear tire, the $13 "flipping" charge is a no-brainer.