Tire/Wheel/Alignment Question - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

05_GTO · 03-13-2009, 03:56 PM

Alright, well I've been noticing a lot of vibration around 70+ mph lately. So the other day I actually got out to look at the tires and... wow. The backs look brand new and the fronts look like crap, the fronts have no side tread left on them.

Pics...

Now, they are a no name brand tire, just a cheap tire which were on the car when I got it. I always keep the tires right around 32lbs of air in them, so they are never underflated. I'm wondering if this is an alignment problem?

Also it is a 155/80/13, didn't these things come stock with a 175/70/13? If so that is the size I will get if I keep the stock wheels.

One more thing, I'm looking for a cheap set of 14" or 15" wheels. Will any other wheels fit on this car, say from a Honda, or a different year or modle Toyota? Also what offset is best? If I get some different wheels I would like to do a 185/60/14 or a 185/55/15. Money is VERY tight right now, so unless I can pick up a cheap used set of wheels I gotta just get tires for the stock ones which I already found the one I want if a 175/70/13 will fit.

retiredat44 · 03-13-2009, 04:13 PM

first picture, no side tread but plenty in the middle = under-inflated...

but, the picture is all I can go on... they don't look that bad in the picture...

05_GTO · 03-13-2009, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retiredat44

first picture, no side tread but plenty in the middle = under-inflated...

but, the picture is all I can go on... they don't look that bad in the picture...

Exactly, but the question is why are they only wearing out on the sides?

freakinbox · 03-13-2009, 06:52 PM

under inflated tires curve in at the center causing that. Most of the weight is in the front so they will wear faster in the front with that issue.

As for the front tires wearing faster. That is what happens with fwd cars. Depending how hard you drive it decides how fast you go through the front tires. I have gone through 18 tires now and most of them have been fronts.

05_GTO · 03-13-2009, 07:27 PM

FWD cars... I'm not a big fan of them. lol

Anyways, I'll get an alignment done just cuz I would like to have it done. As far as the wheels, no one knows if any other wheels will fit our cars?

ericdude · 03-13-2009, 10:04 PM

You're front tires aren't that bad in my view. I had steel belts coming out of mine
before I finally replaced them. If you're 100% sure you've kept them at proper pressure
since new, the only other variable is alignment--only toe-in I believe for 6th gen. The other
adjustments (camber/castor) are made with a big hammer.

In my case, chronic underinflation was to blame. I decided not to do the alignment and
things still look good.

Actually, it's not the FWD that wears the front tires more it's the steering. Turning the
tires wears away rubber. I know my 6th gen can't lay rubber accelerating, only braking.
And all tires should lock at the same if if the system is proportioned properly. (And if
the front tires lock first because the proportioning is off, that's still not FWD,
that's just the physics of braking.)

retiredat44 · 03-13-2009, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 05_GTO

FWD cars... I'm not a big fan of them. lol

Anyways, I'll get an alignment done just cuz I would like to have it done. As far as the wheels, no one knows if any other wheels will fit our cars?

I see no reason to get an alignment as the picture shows even-wear. But, that's my opinion.

05_GTO · 03-14-2009, 12:38 AM

Yes it's even ware on both front tires. I'm just use to my front tires lasting 40,000 miles and my rear tires lasting 5000 miles. I didn't know if this was normal or not, I would rather ask befor I spend money trying to fix the issue... if there was an issue to fix.

So all in all, get new tires and rotate them every 5000 miles?

I wouldn't really worry about it but the shake I get at 70+ mph was not there till about 1000 miles ago and it gets worse if I turn at that speed.

TonkaTom · 03-14-2009, 01:59 AM

Do you rotate your tires often? You should do it every 3000 miles (same day you change your oil to help you remember)

05_GTO · 03-14-2009, 12:53 PM

I have only had this car for 8k miles, I have not rotaed the tires yet. I was rotating them today and noticed that the front tires are down to the steel belts. I can't find any cheap wheels so I'm sticking with the stock 13's. I want to go with a 175/70/13, this will fit correct?

Here is the tire I want...

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/tir...85219&pc=33693

They got great reviews and come with a 85k mile warranty.

05_GTO · 03-14-2009, 01:27 PM

I'm going with Mechelin Destiny 175/70/13 tires today... off I go to get them on.