unusual tire wear

kayadog · **Posted:** Tue Dec 01, 2009 9:56 pm

I have 245/70r16 General Grabber AT2 on 16x8 Cragar soft 8's with 5" backspacing. They are 1" wider than stock with 1/2" less BS, making them visibly stick out compared to stock. My suspension is stock. I trimmed the fender flares and hammered the pinch weld.

My driver side front tire is developing an odd sawtooth pattern on the inside edge only. It seems every other tread block is worn. You can feel it running your hand over it and its starting to get loud.

The tires have been regularly rotated and balanced and otherwise are wearing great. They have 25k miles in them.

I took it for an alignment and the mechanic drove it and said it didn't need one-- he didn't check it on the machine. He suggested that it was from the oversize tires rubbing the fender liner, so I left with no charge.

When I got home I realized that its only the outer edge of the tires rubbing (slightly) and there is no abnormal wear there.

Is this an alignment issue, a balance issue, or a rim width/backspace issue?

I assume it is only on the driver front tire since I generally drive alone and weigh 230.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Dec 01, 2009 10:00 pm

Get a alignment done.You should have your alignment checked once a year,more so on vehicles with IFS/IRS.

kayadog · **Posted:** Wed Dec 02, 2009 9:03 am

I definitely plan on checking the alignment and balance, but is is possible that I need the change the factory settings because I have more backspacing, pushing the inside edge of the tire further away from the Jeep?

I think the "sawtooth" pattern on the tread is accentuated by the relatively aggressive tread blocks on these tires and its most noticeable on the drivers side thanks to my weight in the passengers seat. I'll have the alignment checked while I'm sitting in it.

Any alignment gurus here?

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Wed Dec 02, 2009 7:57 pm

kayadog wrote:

I definitely plan on checking the alignment and balance, but is is possible that I need the change the factory settings because I have more backspacing, pushing the inside edge of the tire further away from the Jeep?

I think the "sawtooth" pattern on the tread is accentuated by the relatively aggressive tread blocks on these tires and its most noticeable on the drivers side thanks to my weight in the passengers seat. I'll have the alignment checked while I'm sitting in it.

Any alignment gurus here?

Your coil springs have sagged causing the toe and camber to be off some causing your tire wear.Unless your over 350lbs I wouldn't worry about sitting in the vehicle during the alignment.The specs take into account drivers weight(for most vehicles,KJ included) but the limit is 350lbs since that is what most power seats are rated for.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:44 am

tjkj2002 wrote:

I wouldn't worry about sitting in the vehicle during the alignment.The specs take into account drivers weight(for most vehicles,KJ included) but the limit is 350lbs since that is what most power seats are rated for.

I learn something everyday...........

KJKev · **Posted:** Fri Dec 04, 2009 2:41 pm

Too much negative camber and possible toe.

Large tires almost always cup to some degree even with regular rotation.

Get the alignment..but the tire wear pattern will never go away.

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Fri Dec 04, 2009 4:33 pm

dieselenthusiast wrote:

tjkj2002 wrote:

I wouldn't worry about sitting in the vehicle during the alignment.The specs take into account drivers weight(for most vehicles,KJ included) but the limit is 350lbs since that is what most power seats are rated for.

I learn something everyday...........

Me to

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Fri Dec 04, 2009 8:09 pm

Diggerfreek wrote:

dieselenthusiast wrote:

tjkj2002 wrote:

I wouldn't worry about sitting in the vehicle during the alignment.The specs take into account drivers weight(for most vehicles,KJ included) but the limit is 350lbs since that is what most power seats are rated for.

I learn something everyday...........

Me to

Since we have been active members on the forum for at least two years under Troy’s training, maybe he can give us an ASE certification. :idea:

KJKev · **Posted:** Mon Dec 07, 2009 12:53 am

So, for a quick hijack.

If the alignment takes into account having a driver in the seat, what about more people?

I was always taught an alignment hinges on angles and measurements taken from specific points on the vehicle.

Those would all change, OK, not by much, if there were bodies in the seats would they not?

Alignments should also take into effect the crown of the road.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Mon Dec 07, 2009 11:34 pm

KJKev wrote:

So, for a quick hijack.

If the alignment takes into account having a driver in the seat, what about more people?

I was always taught an alignment hinges on angles and measurements taken from specific points on the vehicle.

Those would all change, OK, not by much, if there were bodies in the seats would they not?

Alignments should also take into effect the crown of the road.

Nothing will be perfect, that’s the reason for tire rotations. The purpose is to help even out the inconsistencies.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 07, 2009 11:47 pm

KJKev wrote:

So, for a quick hijack.

If the alignment takes into account having a driver in the seat, what about more people?

I was always taught an alignment hinges on angles and measurements taken from specific points on the vehicle.

Those would all change, OK, not by much, if there were bodies in the seats would they not?

Alignments should also take into effect the crown of the road.

Some vehicles take into account for passengers,many BMW's and Mercedes you must place 150lbs in each seat and in the trunk just to properly align them.Some vehicles also take into account the road "crown" but not all,all that entails is the caster range is .5 degrees different between the 2 sides and that is it,most vehicles do not do this anymore.

kayadog · **Posted:** Wed Dec 16, 2009 12:45 pm

Update-- Had the alignment done, tires rotated and balanced. No idea if it helped the wear yet or not, but the ride is noticeably smoother and the the steering feels lighter.

Mechanic said right front tire was out of alignment.

unusual tire wear

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