Wearing The Inside Edge Of Front Tyres After 10,000 Miles

[Barry1000]

The ls430 has worn out the inside edge of both front tyres. This is the second set it has done it to. I had a four wheel alignment done after the first set, but it has happened again. I took it yo be checked again at a four wheel alignment specialist and he said it had hardly changed from the previous readings, and that it was within tolerance and not worth adjusting. He said any adjustment would not make any difference to what had occurred. He suggested trying a different make of tyres to start, so I have bought Michelan this time where as I previously bought Goodyears. Failing that he said it could be to do with something more fundamental to do with e steering or power steering, but did not really have any specific suggestions. I wondered if any one else had experienced this and if so whether you found a cure?

Thanks

Barry ( not having a grand time with the normally faultless ls!)

[Malc]

Maybe take it to another laser wheel checking specialist !

Who will check not only the alignments, cambers etc but also the ball joints for wear and whatever else might show up ................ just someone with greater knowledge I'm thinking.

I'm assuming they are showing you the pretty coloured printouts resulting from the checks and explaining them to you.

And you're spending £250 a time replacing both front tyres ?

Malc

[The-Acre]

I'm having the same problem with the outer edge. Looking at US forums, many suggest low tyre pressure, but others say general wear on steering components. Interestingly, many on that forum say that 10K for the front tyres on such a heavy car is acceptable. The quality of the tyre will make a huge difference, budgets do wear very quickly, and that's what mine has, but because they were on the car when I bought it I couldn't justify replacing them as they were fairly new. The fact that you've had two sets wear in the same place does maybe suggest wear on the steering/suspension somewhere.

Have a look at this, it may help

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls430/550584-excessive-tire-wear.html

[Malc]

Heavy cars do give undue stress on front tyres in general. But on my Ls400 the Falken fronts cover 20k miles ok.

My suspension joints were replaced by the previous owner at about 110k miles I think ( not the upper control arms tho )

Malc

[The-Acre]

Heavy cars do give undue stress on front tyres in general. But on my Ls400 the Falken fronts cover 20k miles ok.

My suspension joints were replaced by the previous owner at about 110k miles I think ( not the upper control arms tho )

Malc

Falkens do have a good reputation, and that's what I'll be replacing mine with, as opposed to the ones I have now which I think are made of the same stuff as cheap footballs! Plus the road noise is awful.

[Cotswold Pete]

I have only learnt recently (with tyre issues on the wifes Jag) that you should get the PSI from the manufacturer once you stop using the OEM tyres.

This is more important the lower the profile.

For instance on her X-type her replacement tyres need to be about 4 PSI up on the original spec tyres.

This also explains issues I had before going over to Falkens which being (more or less) the original tyre type do not seem to be suffering from excess outside where, where as previous Continentals and Cheapo tyres have done.

[plastic orange]

I think it's caused by general suspension wear and tear. It's a heavy car, plus it's got power steering, so wear in this area is expected. I get around 15k out the fronts including moving them to the rear when shoulders start to wear. Now rears, that's a different story - less than 10k - Falkens.

Pete

[Malc]

hey, I think we had this discussion before ....... mine's not DHP and on 16" tyres .......... and the rear Falkens achieve 22k miles ok

Malc

[royoftherovers]

Make sure that the steering geometry is spot on. Buy quality tyres, Inflate to the correct pressure. Avoid sleeping policemen like the plague and drive sensibly. My Michelin Primacy tyres on the E Class have covered 70,000 miles and will need to be changed this year.......not because of wear, but because they are 5 years old!

The Khumo tyres on the 450h have covered 12,000 miles in 15 months and look good for at least 25,000.

Happy motoring.

Regards

John

[Bluesman]

This problem has been discussed at length in the past and I seem to remember that the setup according to the manufactueres spec needs modifying.

I dont remember when iut was but global moderator Steve may be able to point you in the correct direction.

One further thing I would say is that just because company has a computerised 4 wheel alignment machine dont run away with the idea they know how to operate it. Quite often when they buy the equipment they also have a technician trained upped to operate it he leaves and thats when the rot sets in.

Also in the historic thread it named a business and technician that knew exactly how these systems work inside out.

I think that the problem lies with the Steering geometry rather than alignment and there a 2 bolts which seize up and these companies wont force it to much in case the bolt breaks so they say nothing, the pretty print out shows all the right colours for alignment but you are still left with the same problem as far as the steering geometry is concerned.

Of course I am old and could have dreamed all that up but hopefully there is some truth in it somewhere.

Sorry I cant be of anymore help. Mike

[The-Acre]

This problem has been discussed at length in the past and I seem to remember that the setup according to the manufactueres spec needs modifying.

I dont remember when iut was but global moderator Steve may be able to point you in the correct direction.

One further thing I would say is that just because company has a computerised 4 wheel alignment machine dont run away with the idea they know how to operate it. Quite often when they buy the equipment they also have a technician trained upped to operate it he leaves and thats when the rot sets in.

Also in the historic thread it named a business and technician that knew exactly how these systems work inside out.

I think that the problem lies with the Steering geometry rather than alignment and there a 2 bolts which seize up and these companies wont force it to much in case the bolt breaks so they say nothing, the pretty print out shows all the right colours for alignment but you are still left with the same problem as far as the steering geometry is concerned.

Of course I am old and could have dreamed all that up but hopefully there is some truth in it somewhere.

Sorry I cant be of anymore help. Mike

Good advice young man, the equipment is only as good as the operater. All this has made me order new Falkens for fitting this afternoon. Be interesting to see if the road noise reduces.

[Bluesman]

This problem has been discussed at length in the past and I seem to remember that the setup according to the manufactueres spec needs modifying.

I dont remember when iut was but global moderator Steve may be able to point you in the correct direction.

One further thing I would say is that just because company has a computerised 4 wheel alignment machine dont run away with the idea they know how to operate it. Quite often when they buy the equipment they also have a technician trained upped to operate it he leaves and thats when the rot sets in.

Also in the historic thread it named a business and technician that knew exactly how these systems work inside out.

I think that the problem lies with the Steering geometry rather than alignment and there a 2 bolts which seize up and these companies wont force it to much in case the bolt breaks so they say nothing, the pretty print out shows all the right colours for alignment but you are still left with the same problem as far as the steering geometry is concerned.

Of course I am old and could have dreamed all that up but hopefully there is some truth in it somewhere.

Sorry I cant be of anymore help. Mike

Good advice young man, the equipment is only as good as the operater. All this has made me order new Falkens for fitting this afternoon. Be interesting to see if the road noise reduces.

I have used Falken for years and they are great, I believe they are a direct replacement of the original tyres that are no longer made but are still made by Dunlops so they are a quality tyre. Mike

[Titch LS]

I'm sure worn suspension parts do play a part when it comes to tyre wear. Unfortunately, my LS came to me 3 years ago with el cheapo "made in China" tyres. Problem is, they won't wear out! I've done 35k on them and there's still loads of even tread left. They are noisy and harsh which I've put down to the rubber compound and sidewalls being so hard. Replacements will be with a tyre that's great in the wet as it's incredibly easy at the moment to spin the rear wheels when the road is damp/wet (even with Traction Control on). Probably go with Uniroyal Rain Experts. They have great write-ups for wet grip. Don't know how noisy they'll turn out to be though.

[plastic orange]

To be fair, my Falkens are very grippy in the wet or dry - that's why I continue to fit them despite them wearing very quickly. It's hard to get a compromise really, but I'd rather my car stayed on the road rather than going through a hedge backwards. The rear tyres on one of my V8 minors (BF Goodrich) are hardly worn despite numerous trips up the strip, and 10 years of road use. I really should change them due to age, but they are mint, but are obviously pretty hard compound. I haven't visited a hedge yet, either backwards or otherwise, but it's been close - choices.

Pete

[mikeyv]

I bought mine fitted with budget M+S tyres, as they got past 50% worn, it was very easy to get the back end loose in the wet.

It's a different car with it's current Pirellis, much grippier.

[The-Acre]

So what are we saying is the solution to Barry's problem?

[Bluesman]

So what are we saying is the solution to Barry's problem?

Go somewhere where they dont have just the machine but also have a technician who is fully qualified in operating it and fully understands steering alignment, geometry and suspension.

Finding the machine a dodle finding the technician is as difficult as nuclear physics. Mike

[Chris Skelton]

Tony Bones did my LS 400 CAR balance. Knows his stuff AND a Lexus fan.

Wheels in Motion.

Tell him I sent you!

[Bluesman]

Tony Bones did my LS 400 CAR balance. Knows his stuff AND a Lexus fan.

Wheels in Motion.

Tell him I sent you!

Cheers Chris, I will be making an appointment with him. Mike

[Maduggo]

Heavy front end, power steering and maybe some minor wear to the front suspension area don't help tyre wear on these cars, one of the reasons why it's recommended to rotate tyres front to back after so many thousand miles.

Having the suspension checked and tracking done on wifeys fiat grande punto today, drove it yesterday and it wanders all over the place like it's drunk, i must have looked like i was sawing at the wheel like they did in them old films. No wonder she don't like driving it, asked what else was wrong with it, she replied how long you got and get a stiff drink you may need it, hmm i think she wants a new car.