Does this look like normal tire wear to you? - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

Natty · 03-17-2004, 02:31 PM

Okay, I have Bridgestone Potenza RE950's with around 3,000 miles on them. Not autocrossing or hard driving yet. Not lowered or anything. They are directional tires. I just got them aligned, rotated, and balanced for the first time since I put them on. Cold air pressure was a bit low at 26, however. I'll fix that right now actually.

The file labeled "front" are now on the front, they used to be on the backs. I don't think they are worn too bad.

The pic labeled "back" is now on back, used to be on the front. These ones look pretty worn to me. Look particulary on the side of the tread, looks sort of cracked up. It was always aligned, but I know my tie rods ends and TC rods, along with bearings or rotors are causing some shimmy when braking and crusiign at 55mph.

Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but the set that used to be up front looks alot more worn for only 3k miles.

Edit: Front.jpg is on the left, Back.jpg is on the right.

nissandrift · 03-17-2004, 03:06 PM

I don't know anything about the wear, but I planned on buying those tires in a few weeks. Whats your opinion on them, besies the odd wear pattern?

**mrmephistopheles** · 03-17-2004, 03:17 PM

you doing hard driving or experiencing understeer?

Natty · 03-17-2004, 04:41 PM

No understeer or hard driving. I babied them and broke them in nicely.
I like them so far. Little road noise, a pretty smooth ride, good grip (for an all season) and great wet traction (for an all season). If you don't need wet traction, find some RE930's, they have better dry traction, but not so good wet traction. The RE950's are supposed to last a while, but I guess we'll see.
I'm not sure if this is an odd wear pattern. Hopefully not

twitchy · 03-17-2004, 05:34 PM

maybe the shocks or bushings are sagging like on my car and starting to show tire wear....Thats what it was for me last spring anyhow....see the pic attached...I still havent fixed it but when I do the bushings Im hoping it will stop (i have new tires now but youll see from the pic)

240Stilo · 03-17-2004, 06:22 PM

I don't know if it's just me but it seems like you're making a big deal outta nothing. Looks fine to me, don't worry about it and just drive.

*Grant* · 03-17-2004, 06:24 PM

maybe excessive toe in?? anyways.. doesnt look too bad.. i wouldnt worry bout it

rednerd · 03-17-2004, 06:51 PM

If your alignment is good (implying ball joints and tie rods), I'd put money on your struts. My BMW had similar scalp marks because of worn struts.

96twofourty · 03-17-2004, 07:38 PM

do a shock test (push on all 4 corners of the car and see which shock/s are out)

Rexbo · 03-17-2004, 09:20 PM

I used to have re950s on my old car, and those were the best tires i've ever owned! They almost have more grip in the rain than they do when its dry! I did notice a little side wear on them at first, like you had, then it went away as the tire wore down. Don't worry about it man, they're awesome tires and you'll never have a problem with them, other than a little bit of chunking if you drift hard.

gogeeta13 · 03-17-2004, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twitchy

maybe the shocks or bushings are sagging like on my car and starting to show tire wear....Thats what it was for me last spring anyhow....see the pic attached...I still havent fixed it but when I do the bushings Im hoping it will stop (i have new tires now but youll see from the pic)

WHat bushings do that? My tires wear like that too!

KA24DESOneThree · 03-17-2004, 10:00 PM

Those tires look barely broken in. I have 1200 miles on my Azenis Sports and they're already scuffed, scraped, and feathered. (I need to rotate them, I know.) However, I hardly drive nicely.
Don't worry about the wear, it's fine... although after 3k miles, there actually should be more wear, pansy!
Kidding.

nightwalker · 03-17-2004, 11:31 PM

nothing wrong.

twitchy · 03-17-2004, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gogeeta13

WHat bushings do that? My tires wear like that too!

im thinking if your control arm bushings are shot they would cause saggage and tire wear...maybe im wrong

Dream240 · 03-18-2004, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Natty

Okay, I have Bridgestone Potenza RE950's with around 3,000 miles on them. Not autocrossing or hard driving yet. Not lowered or anything. They are directional tires. I just got them aligned, rotated, and balanced for the first time since I put them on. Cold air pressure was a bit low at 26, however. I'll fix that right now actually.

The file labeled "front" are now on the front, they used to be on the backs. I don't think they are worn too bad.

The pic labeled "back" is now on back, used to be on the front. These ones look pretty worn to me. Look particulary on the side of the tread, looks sort of cracked up. It was always aligned, but I know my tie rods ends and TC rods, along with bearings or rotors are causing some shimmy when braking and crusiign at 55mph.

Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but the set that used to be up front looks alot more worn for only 3k miles.

Edit: Front.jpg is on the left, Back.jpg is on the right.

Alright I can't believe no one else caught this, it's the one thing you actually mentioned. The air pressure. Trust me, that wear is from too little tire pressure, Basically, when you're underinflated, you get sagging on the edges of any radial tubless tire. Actually right where your marks are. There's extra strain on your tires at that point causing the scraping, especially when you turn. No matter how easy you turn, your pushing that edge hard against the pavement when you run 26 PSI. I run my car at 33 psi, and I really wouldn't recommend anything lower than 30 psi. This wear is not too bad and since you said you aired them up you should be good. Just remember to check them at least once a week, maybe twice.

The one thing I see alot of guys forgetting is tire pressure!! Why God Why!!!
Especially when you start driving hard, then you really gotta have good pressure otherwise your tires won't last you one trip around the neighboorhood. Hope this helps!!

Silverbullet · 03-18-2004, 03:17 PM

that looks normal, i wouldn't stress over it. Since u just got an alingment done, i wouldn't worry about anything.

tire pressure is crucial and u should keep it at recommended psi, however it looks to me that, that is not caused by low tire pressure. If it were caused by low tire pressure, it would be a larger area worn down.

kpxchonnom · 03-18-2004, 06:56 PM

did u bent ur caster arm? get that checked

KA24DESOneThree · 03-18-2004, 10:09 PM

I run 39psi front and 37psi rear on my Falkens. It still seems a bit low, i might try 41psi front and 38psi rear to try and increase grip.

Dream240 is right about tire pressure; by running it that low, you're folding the tire over onto the sidewall whilst under cornering loads, thus wearing the outer edges of your treadblocks prematurely. (The premature wear has not happened yet, but will with time.) Also, your tires will squirm and fold so much that handling predictability and ultimate grip will suffer.

Increase the air pressure in your tires. If your car has oversteering tendencies, run higher pressure in the front than in the rear; reverse for understeering tendencies. You'll probably have to play with pressures, too low and you'll have excessive wear on the edges, and too high and you'll have excessive wear in the center.

epoxy_nc · 03-18-2004, 10:12 PM

those dires are AWESOME.. they last forever ... even if you have fun on them.

i like the 930s as well... both are a great traction tire and last a decent while as well.

Natty · 03-21-2004, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epoxy_nc

those dires are AWESOME.. they last forever ... even if you have fun on them.

i like the 930s as well... both are a great traction tire and last a decent while as well.

Do you like the 950s or 930s better?

Thanks again for the input. I'm now running 36psi when hot, but I'm playing around with it to find a nice balance.

bigjasoni · 03-22-2004, 02:11 AM

Listen to dream240. Sometimes we get too technical, and overlook the more simple things involved with owning cars. I once half way tore apart a 4g63T trying to figure out why my Talon wouldnt go. I had a disconnected plug right on top of the engine right in front of my face. Tire wear doesnt seem serious at first, but give it a couple thousand miles, and see what happens.

03-17-2004, 02:31 PM	#1
Natty Zilvia Addict Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 944 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Does this look like normal tire wear to you? Okay, I have Bridgestone Potenza RE950's with around 3,000 miles on them. Not autocrossing or hard driving yet. Not lowered or anything. They are directional tires. I just got them aligned, rotated, and balanced for the first time since I put them on. Cold air pressure was a bit low at 26, however. I'll fix that right now actually. The file labeled "front" are now on the front, they used to be on the backs. I don't think they are worn too bad. The pic labeled "back" is now on back, used to be on the front. These ones look pretty worn to me. Look particulary on the side of the tread, looks sort of cracked up. It was always aligned, but I know my tie rods ends and TC rods, along with bearings or rotors are causing some shimmy when braking and crusiign at 55mph. Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but the set that used to be up front looks alot more worn for only 3k miles. Edit: Front.jpg is on the left, Back.jpg is on the right. __________________ 1991 White 240sx Fastback LE, rusty spoiler, weak driveshaft, exhaust rattle.... Rattles are just your cars way of saying 'I love you.'

03-17-2004, 04:41 PM	#4
Natty Zilvia Addict Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 944 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	No understeer or hard driving. I babied them and broke them in nicely. I like them so far. Little road noise, a pretty smooth ride, good grip (for an all season) and great wet traction (for an all season). If you don't need wet traction, find some RE930's, they have better dry traction, but not so good wet traction. The RE950's are supposed to last a while, but I guess we'll see. I'm not sure if this is an odd wear pattern. Hopefully not __________________ 1991 White 240sx Fastback LE, rusty spoiler, weak driveshaft, exhaust rattle.... Rattles are just your cars way of saying 'I love you.'

03-17-2004, 05:34 PM	#5
twitchy Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Ontario Posts: 1,579 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	maybe the shocks or bushings are sagging like on my car and starting to show tire wear....Thats what it was for me last spring anyhow....see the pic attached...I still havent fixed it but when I do the bushings Im hoping it will stop (i have new tires now but youll see from the pic) __________________ Who the hell needs a sig anyhow

03-17-2004, 06:22 PM	#6
240Stilo Junkie Join Date: May 2002 Location: Socal Age: 41 Posts: 1,160 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I don't know if it's just me but it seems like you're making a big deal outta nothing. Looks fine to me, don't worry about it and just drive. __________________ -Juan

03-17-2004, 11:31 PM	#13
nightwalker Nissanaholic! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bay area Age: 46 Posts: 2,146 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	nothing wrong. __________________ In life, we often cast the line of hope fishing for the best possible opportunity. Sometimes with enough effort, the things we catch are nothing short of amazing.

03-17-2004, 03:06 PM	#2
nissandrift Leaky Injector Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Raleigh, NC Age: 41 Posts: 103 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I don't know anything about the wear, but I planned on buying those tires in a few weeks. Whats your opinion on them, besies the odd wear pattern?

03-17-2004, 03:17 PM	#3
mrmephistopheles Magnanimous Justice Distribution Service Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: BFE Age: 23 Posts: 14,372 Trader Rating: (9) Rides Gallery: mrmephistopheles Feedback Score: 9 reviews	you doing hard driving or experiencing understeer?

03-17-2004, 06:24 PM	#7
Grant Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: 聖地牙哥 Posts: 2,647 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: Grant Feedback Score: 0 reviews	maybe excessive toe in?? anyways.. doesnt look too bad.. i wouldnt worry bout it

03-17-2004, 06:51 PM	#8
rednerd Zilvia Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 180 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	If your alignment is good (implying ball joints and tie rods), I'd put money on your struts. My BMW had similar scalp marks because of worn struts.

03-17-2004, 07:38 PM	#9
96twofourty Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: nor*cal Posts: 354 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	do a shock test (push on all 4 corners of the car and see which shock/s are out)

03-17-2004, 09:20 PM	#10
Rexbo Leaky Injector Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: UCSD Posts: 57 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	I used to have re950s on my old car, and those were the best tires i've ever owned! They almost have more grip in the rain than they do when its dry! I did notice a little side wear on them at first, like you had, then it went away as the tire wore down. Don't worry about it man, they're awesome tires and you'll never have a problem with them, other than a little bit of chunking if you drift hard.

03-17-2004, 10:00 PM	#12
KA24DESOneThree Post Whore! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: SD County SoCal Age: 39 Posts: 2,564 Trader Rating: (2) Rides Gallery: KA24DESOneThree Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Those tires look barely broken in. I have 1200 miles on my Azenis Sports and they're already scuffed, scraped, and feathered. (I need to rotate them, I know.) However, I hardly drive nicely. Don't worry about the wear, it's fine... although after 3k miles, there actually should be more wear, pansy! Kidding.

03-18-2004, 06:56 PM	#17
kpxchonnom Leaky Injector Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: mission viejo Age: 39 Posts: 65 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	did u bent ur caster arm? get that checked __________________ GunMetal 90 240sx FB (RPS13) Tein He's front,back level 12(very stiff) Tein TieRod, End Watanabe(polished lip, black center)with GTZ

03-18-2004, 10:09 PM	#18
KA24DESOneThree Post Whore! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: SD County SoCal Age: 39 Posts: 2,564 Trader Rating: (2) Rides Gallery: KA24DESOneThree Feedback Score: 2 reviews	I run 39psi front and 37psi rear on my Falkens. It still seems a bit low, i might try 41psi front and 38psi rear to try and increase grip. Dream240 is right about tire pressure; by running it that low, you're folding the tire over onto the sidewall whilst under cornering loads, thus wearing the outer edges of your treadblocks prematurely. (The premature wear has not happened yet, but will with time.) Also, your tires will squirm and fold so much that handling predictability and ultimate grip will suffer. Increase the air pressure in your tires. If your car has oversteering tendencies, run higher pressure in the front than in the rear; reverse for understeering tendencies. You'll probably have to play with pressures, too low and you'll have excessive wear on the edges, and too high and you'll have excessive wear in the center.

03-18-2004, 10:12 PM	#19
epoxy_nc Zilvia Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: nc Posts: 154 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	those dires are AWESOME.. they last forever ... even if you have fun on them. i like the 930s as well... both are a great traction tire and last a decent while as well. __________________ epoxy sr20det powered '93 coupe se

03-22-2004, 02:11 AM	#21
bigjasoni Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Fredericksburg VA Age: 48 Posts: 17 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Listen to dream240. Sometimes we get too technical, and overlook the more simple things involved with owning cars. I once half way tore apart a 4g63T trying to figure out why my Talon wouldnt go. I had a disconnected plug right on top of the engine right in front of my face. Tire wear doesnt seem serious at first, but give it a couple thousand miles, and see what happens.