Inner tyre wear

[D Johnson]

Corpjones, forgive me for going off on a tangent on your thread but since you have posted photos of your Turanzas this seems a good time for me to ask the question I have been pondering lately which is: the inner sections of both my rear Turanzas are now virtually bald.  This is from the outer edge (wall) to the first longitudinal tread section.  I am somewhat miffed because I had asked my Lexus dealer about rotating the tyres and was more or less laughed out of the workshop.  Now I am faced with major expense when this might have been avoided for the sake of half an hour’s work… Also, does anyone know if there is any significance to this type of tyre wear in terms of what has caused it?  Also, are they illegal or am I within the “75% of the tread” allowance.   Many thanks.  

Marianne 

[ColinBarber]

Created new thread as off-topic on the original one.

 

I doubt your tyres are illegal because of the 75% rule and probably because they aren't even primary grooves that are worn. It would become illegal if the cords start to show.

Worth getting your wheel alignment checked to stop it getting worse, or the same thing happening to any new tyres. Tyre rotation wouldn't help here, other than cause uneven premature wear on all four tyres.

 

[IS300FSPORT]

51 minutes ago, D Johnson said:

Corpjones, forgive me for going off on a tangent on your thread but since you have posted photos of your Turanzas this seems a good time for me to ask the question I have been pondering lately which is: the inner sections of both my rear Turanzas are now virtually bald.  This is from the outer edge (wall) to the first longitudinal tread section.  I am somewhat miffed because I had asked my Lexus dealer about rotating the tyres and was more or less laughed out of the workshop.  Now I am faced with major expense when this might have been avoided for the sake of half an hour’s work… Also, does anyone know if there is any significance to this type of tyre wear in terms of what has caused it?  Also, are they illegal or am I within the “75% of the tread” allowance.   Many thanks.  

Marianne 

The IS300H is known to wear out the inside of tyres, abit of analysis to validate this go on autotrader pick out higher mileage examples & check the MOT history. You will notice a trend inner tyre worn on edges advisories or even an MOT fail, I dont think it is a specific tyre issue. It is how the alignment is setup out of the factory / softer lower control arm bushes being the primary cause. I believe others have changed suspension components from the F Versions that have stiffer bushes. 

The reason why your main dealer refused to do tyre rotation is because the rear tyres are wider I dont think you can put wider tyres on the front axle. 

Play with your tyre pressure mine are set at 36-37psi seem to be wearing normal the steering is bang on centre & no drift off to the right or left if you let go off the steering wheel on a flatish straight road. Get the alignment checked & its not uncommon Mercs & BMWs also have this issue.

For reference 

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-3rd-gen-2014-present/940025-all-about-lexus-is-premature-inner-tire-wear.html

[D Johnson]

Awesome, thanks so much.  That’s going to save me a pretty penny since I am eyeing up a full set of all-weather tyres after watching Corpjones’ video in the other thread.  Also, re off topic thread, sorry to make work for you, I shan’t do it again!  

[scudney]

Might also be advisable to have your 4 wheel alignment/geometry done too,just for peace of mind as your rear tyres wouldn't wear on the inside for no apparent reason 

[wharfhouse]

My IS 300h has now done 142k miles (17" wheels) and the inside edge of the rear tyres has always worn first. I never have the tyres rotated (which can cause imbalance if the wear has started). For reference over that 142k miles, without fail, the rear tyres have been changed every 20k miles and the fronts every 40k miles. I replace rears when the middle / outer part of the tread is down to about 3mm - at this time the inside edges of the rears will have virtually no tread left (but still legal - so nothing like cords showing). Given I wouldn't keep a tyre on with less than 3mm in the main part of the tyre I consider this wear pattern ok. 

[Colinb623]

This was the inner wall of my rears on my IS300H.  Had both rears replaced and a full 4 wheel alignment and all seems to be wearing well since .

Seemingly the tyre guy said it was tracking off in the rear 

[Illogan]

23 hours ago, D Johnson said:

Awesome, thanks so much.  That’s going to save me a pretty penny since I am eyeing up a full set of all-weather tyres after watching Corpjones’ video in the other thread.  Also, re off topic thread, sorry to make work for you, I shan’t do it again!  

As others have said, I would still invest in having your car wheel alignment (all 4 wheels) check - but search locally for a reputable specialist to do it, Kwik Fit may well be the first in the classroom to put their hand up with "Please Sir, we can do it Sir", but one would be better served by a specialist that takes real care with your set-up.

[Spark plug]

I put new struts and springs all round on mine over 2 years ago and my tires are wearing evenly across the tread. I think weak springs and struts can affect the chamber angle and cause tires to wear on the inside. She has done 18,000 mile since...

 

[Mr_Groundhog]

Beyond wheel alignment, which is a must....For the fronts, replace the lower arm bushings with those of the GSF and if things are too bad on the back, you can fit adjustable camber arms to reduce camber to about just one degree.

[matt8]

Any recommended alignment companies in the Midlands?

[Malc1]

Matt, there’s going to be one within a mile or two of you …… go for an established independent tyre shop with good equipment …… I’d personally avoid Halfords and KwikFit ….. but that’s me ! 
 

Suggest pop your postcode up and someone will help to advise locally I’m sure 

Good luck

Malc 

[wharfhouse]

17 minutes ago, matt8 said:

Any recommended alignment companies in the Midlands?

This website lists all centres using Hunter wheel alignment equipment which is supposed to be the best equipment - though like anything it's still down to the operator to be skilled enough to do the best job. https://alignmycar.co.uk/

[Maxz]

Per Wharfhouse, providing good advice again I see, go for a centre with Hunter laser alignment kit, it is worth the extra outlay. I didn't take any chances, the week after I bought my IS (from a Lexus dealership), I had all four wheel alignment done, think it was under £100 back then. Per the before and after, the dealerships more often than not would not have done this prior to putting the car up for sale. Not had any kind of uneven wear issues in the whole of four years, it's worth the initial investment. If you are not clouting kerbs, potholes and speed humps at strange angles and high speeds, it is not something you'll then need to do again for quite some time.

[Mr_Groundhog]

I reccommend people to get wheel alignment every one or two years. Normally you'd need it only every three or four but given most UK roads are not worthy of their name and should be called cattle paths, it can seriously mess your wheels. Of course this is a payment that comes out of your pocket, in addition to the council tax (that evaporates into nothing seeminlgly)

Here are my results from last week. I was unaware of the stuff on the rear wheel.