Uneven Front Tyre Wear (Outer Edges) !

[mcleish]

Today, I have just ordered two new front tyres for my RX300. The outer edges have worn very badly on both tyres, but the rest of the front tyres have worn evenly and still have very good tread.

Over the years I have had Lexus do the Geometry (twice), I have also had the tracking, alignment and balancing done and check the tyre pressures frequently, but I still get this problem.

Before I get my two new tyres fitted, I would like to look at any other possible causes (if any).

Can anyone give me some sensible suggestions for the garage to check (in addition to possibly having some or all of the above done....AGAIN !!!)

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Bobby

[Duncan Roberts]

Tracking generally but:

Don't drive over kerbs, into pot holes or straddle speed cushions. The latter is material cause of problems - the track of an RX appears to give you safe passage over them but in reality murders the edges of tyres.

You probably don't intend to but...

[F.A.]

I also noticed this on my IS250 ( different car but maybe still relevant). After 36k running the recommend pressures my front Bridgestones were also worn on the outer edges down to the inner layer of the tyre. Since fitting my new tyres I have been experimenting with the front pressures, monitoring them on a weekly basis during the past 7k. I have found that by increasing the pressures by 3 PSI the front tyres are now wearing evenly.

[mcleish]

Sounds simple, but I'll give it a try and monitor them. Over the past few years I have filled my tyres using nitrogen and one thing I have noticed is that they lose no or very little pressure !!! Cheers

[ihpj]

Although a remote possibility, do also check your balloons and suspension bushings - these can (and do wear) but aren't easily identified due to the wright of the vehicle. Try jacking up the front wheels and giving them a good push/pull test. Any play etc. will be evident.

[Duncan Roberts]

Although a remote possibility, do also check your balloons and suspension bushings - these can (and do wear) but aren't easily identified due to the wright of the vehicle. Try jacking up the front wheels and giving them a good push/pull test. Any play etc. will be evident.

By "balloons" I assume that you are referring to the airbags on cars fitted with air suspension. I doubt the airbags would make any difference anyway.

[mikeinsussex]

I had a 400H for 5 years, did 80,000 miles and had this problem all the time. I had the geometry checked regularly, but it didn't make any difference, in the end I had the tyres swapped front to back after about 13,000 miles to even them out and that seemed to get some extra life out of them. Don't know if the experts would recommend it or not. I now have a 450H and don't get the problem at all, so I don't think it was my driving!.

[Duncan Roberts]

I had a 400H for 5 years, did 80,000 miles and had this problem all the time. I had the geometry checked regularly, but it didn't make any difference, in the end I had the tyres swapped front to back after about 13,000 miles to even them out and that seemed to get some extra life out of them. Don't know if the experts would recommend it or not. I now have a 450H and don't get the problem at all, so I don't think it was my driving!.

Strangley I have now covered 73,000 miles in my RX400H from new without this problem at all. I would come back to kerns, pot holes and speed cushions.

[Lillywhites]

I had a 2009 RX 400H 38,000 on the clock and had this problem too had the balancing and tracking checked had Lexus check it to no avail, checked tyre pressure weekly in the end it cost me two new tyres must be a Lexus trait.

[jonthebarber]

Hi

Seams to be a 4x4 thing , had a vw touareg and that could be a bugger to set up .

Jon

[ColinBarber]

if you take it to a specialist you could ask them to set it up with a more -ve camber so it sits more on the inside edges to compensate.

I suspect it is a case of going too fast around corners. A big, heavy, wallowing RX leans over onto the outside edges of the tyres if you push it, especially on the front.