rear tire tread disappearing!

[Hapeacres]

I'm not sure if its related but it seems like ever since the Bilstein shocks were put on my Runner the rear tires wear very fast on the outside. Has anyone else experienced this or could this even be possible? I am at a lost. I have had it aligned twice and the same thing happens. My mechanic had it on the lift and sees nothing wrong with rear axle. I forgot to ask him about the shocks. Is it possible they might have put them on wrong and caused the premature wear?

 

[fourwd1]

2 main things that affect tire wear are inflation and alignment.
But wear on one side is usually alignment.

 

[Asmara]

2 main things that affect tire wear are inflation and alignment.
But wear on one side is usually alignment.

Has it ever been hit in the rear? I had a 280z that was hit in the rear side right at the tire. They fixed it and I started going through rear tires (both sides). I took it back to the shop and something really wasn't right (I assume frame damage or something similar but don't recall if they told me). Minor enough that they missed it the first time. The alignment checked out fine.

 

[DarenS]

I may be mistaken, but I don't believe you can perform an alignment on a live rear axle. IRS, like a 280Z, can be out of alignment.

Since your rear tires are wearing on the outside, it can only mean they're under inflated or your axles are bent.

What inflation do you run your tires at and have you chalked them to make sure you're running the correct inflation for your truck?

Daren

 

[rjb75]

What about worn axle bearings? That could possibly let the axle shaft deflect upwards and cause the tire to wear unevenly. Can't say I've heard of a bad bearing causing this though.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Did you get an alignment printout? Does the printout have the rear axle measurements on it? Post it so we can maybe narrow it down.

Like stated before, wear on both both edges of a tire is an inflation problem, wear on only one edge is an alignment problem. There are no adjustments for the rear angles so if it's off, that usually points to a bent axle housing. Also, you would hear a bad bearing long before it would affect the alignment enough to wear a tire.

 

[Hapeacres]

I was hit in the rear right end a few months ago. I was thinking that was the cause which is why I brought it back to my mechanic (which is also the body shop that did the repairs). They did not see anything wrong with the axle after taking measurements. They said the impact did not damage anything other than the tailgate and rear right fender. The tailpipe did not even get hit which was right under the damage. So they are at a loss for why the tires are wearing on the outside. I inflate the tires a little over the recommended air pressure at 40 psi. The front tires wear evenly. When I get the alignment results the rear end is colored grey and was told that means the alignment people cannot adjust anything when it is in the grey. My mechanic just said to put the front tires on the back and buy two new tires and then get a 4 wheel alignment.

 

[wnelax04sr5]

stop doing so many burnouts?

 

[bpowa]

no alignment adjustment on rear solid axles. Unless its dogtailing then your control arms are bent. That wont cause the rear to wear.

Id check the tires to see if they are under inflated. FWIW mines wear on the outter sides too. Its from turning hard.