rear tires worn smooth

[rcyoungs]

Help! When I rotated the tires on my 04 Forester I noticed, with
alarm, that the inside tread of each of the rear tires was worn smooth!
The outside tread shows substantial wear but there is still some tread
on it. The tire on the right side was worn more than the one on the
drivers side

When I rotated the tires seven months ago they were fine. The car and
tires have less than 18000 miles on them in that I do most of my
driving in town. I don't use the car during the summer months.

I know that an alignment problem could cause uneven tire ware but this
seems much more serious than that.

(e-mail address removed)

 

[user]

Help! When I rotated the tires on my 04 Forester I noticed, with
alarm, that the inside tread of each of the rear tires was worn smooth!
The outside tread shows substantial wear but there is still some tread
on it. The tire on the right side was worn more than the one on the
drivers side

When I rotated the tires seven months ago they were fine. The car and
tires have less than 18000 miles on them in that I do most of my
driving in town. I don't use the car during the summer months.

I know that an alignment problem could cause uneven tire ware but this
seems much more serious than that.

That's a classic symptom of overinflation.

- Rich

 

[Ed P]

That's a classic symptom of overinflation.

- Rich

I would clarify that as saying it was a classic symptom of overinflation
with old, bias tires. It is not so clear with modern radials. Many
Prius owners are purposefully running 4 to 7 psi above door-jam-sticker
settings in an effort to get the best mpg and they are NOT experiencing
center of tread wear.

Whenever there is uneven wear, pressures should be checked but front AND
rear alignment should be checked as well. Even on cars where the rear
does not have adjustable alignment; something could be worn or bent.
Tires normally do not wear the same on the front and the rear and this
is one of reasons for rotating tires, as often as every 5k miles.

Ed P
'96 Outback with 107k miles
'04 Prius with 58k miles

 

[CompUser]

That's a classic symptom of overinflation.

Excess inside tread wear is a classic symptom of
overinflation?

What is excess *center* tread wear a symptom of,
then?

 

[Edward Hayes]

Aside from checking tire pressure you should have a 4 wheel alignment
done. Your Subaru does have a camber and I believe toe adjustment in
the rear.

 

[rcyoungs]

Help! When I rotated the tires on my 04 Forester I noticed, with
alarm, that the inside tread of each of the rear tires was worn smooth!
The outside tread shows substantial wear but there is still some tread
on it. The tire on the right side was worn more than the one on the
drivers side

When I rotated the tires seven months ago they were fine. The car and
tires have less than 18000 miles on them in that I do most of my
driving in town. I don't use the car during the summer months.

I know that an alignment problem could cause uneven tire ware but this
seems much more serious than that.

(e-mail address removed)

I see that I was somewhat unclear in my first post. When I used the
phrase "inside tread of each of the rear tires"I was referring to
the tread on the tire which is nearest the center of the car not the
center of the tire.

The part that shows unusual wear is the section of the tire toward the
center of the car not the side of the tire with the air stem on it.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

I see that I was somewhat unclear in my first post. When I used the
phrase "inside tread of each of the rear tires"I was referring to
the tread on the tire which is nearest the center of the car not the
center of the tire.

The part that shows unusual wear is the section of the tire toward the
center of the car not the side of the tire with the air stem on it.

Unless the car is frequently VERY heavily loaded - you may have a camber
or more likely 'toe' adjustment out of spec. If the car IS frequently
very heaviliy loaded - speak to your suspension guru about adjustments
to limit the problem.

Carl

 

[nobody >]

I see that I was somewhat unclear in my first post. When I used the
phrase "inside tread of each of the rear tires"I was referring to
the tread on the tire which is nearest the center of the car not the
center of the tire.

The part that shows unusual wear is the section of the tire toward the
center of the car not the side of the tire with the air stem on it.

That's definitely an alignment problem.

 

[Body Roll]

That's definitely an alignment problem.

Flame mode on.
That's not an alignment problem. That's an alignment feature.
Align the rear to increase the camber and the roadholding would
probably suck.
How good are the tires people put on foresters anyway?
Flame mode off.

To the OP: enjoy your lotus on stilts ;-)

 

[who]

That's not an alignment problem. That's an alignment feature.
Align the rear to increase the camber and the roadholding would
probably suck.

BMW SUVs use that "alignment feature" to compensate for a roll over
tendency.

How good are the tires people put on foresters anyway?
Flame mode off.

They must be the originals at such low mileage.