Wheel alignment

JBSparky · Post by **JBSparky** » Mon May 05, 2003 2:17 pm

Our Vibe has 8200 miles and the tires are "feathering", (the outer sides of the tread are stepped if you feel around one way and smooth if you feel around the other way). Took it in to the dealership for a check and came out within specifications. Why would the tires (all 4) be showing this wear pattern if alignment is in spec?

JBSparky · Post by **JBSparky** » Tue May 13, 2003 11:58 am

Air pressure is good all around.

Lorin · Post by **Lorin** » Tue May 13, 2003 12:00 pm

Have you rotated the tires? They still shouldn't be feathering to that degree, but it can help even it out.

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Tue May 13, 2003 2:41 pm

I have a guide on tire safety, and it happens to cover uneven tire wear. It says it can be caused by:*improper inflation pressures*misalignment*improper balance*suspension neglect*internal tire damageYou should get a second opinion. Just to be safe. We all know how dangerous tires can actually be (remember Firestone and the Explorers?)Also, check your tread at it's lowest point, and make sure you have more than 2/32" (two thirty-seconds of an inch) tread depth remaining...if it's at 2/32 or less, your tires need to be replaced...By any chance, do you have COntinentals?

Gim67 · Post by **Gim67** » Thu May 15, 2003 11:26 am

As I'm sure you already know all tire preasure guages read differently.My tires did the same thing so I bumped the psi to 34front/33rear, no more feathering, handles better to.!?

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Thu May 15, 2003 12:16 pm

quote:As I'm sure you already know all tire preasure guages read differently.My tires did the same thing so I bumped the psi to 34front/33rear, no more feathering, handles better to.!?All gauges should NOT read differently, if tested at the same time, and if they're properly calibrated...maybe an error of 0.5-1.0 PSI, but that aside, there shouldn't be any major differences.

JBSparky · Post by **JBSparky** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 2:46 pm

I've been away from this site for a long time, sorry. The vehicle now has over 12,000 miles and has had the tires rotated once again. Now have the noise associated w/ poor tire wear to listen to again. I have not had another opinion or alignment check done yet. Not really sure which way to turn. My opinion is a new car should have everything in spec. and the tire wear should be normal. Also, since there is wear then possible one of the specs is wrong. This is a new vehicle after all. I don't know what kind of testing is done before they roll out onto the showroom floors but this tire wear is not normal. I would consider pursuing this with GM but not sure how to go about it.Tires are Continentals. Why?

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 2:48 pm

It's been discussed on here to great depth that Conti's have ridiculously premature wear life...As to alignment, it can easily be screwed up if you hit a curb, or a nasty pothole...

JBSparky · Post by **JBSparky** » Thu Jul 24, 2003 1:56 pm

Probably sounds silly but we've been pretty tame with the car. Must just be the lousy tires. I don't get why, though, they'd feather rather than just wear out evenly. Something must be out of whack.

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Thu Jul 24, 2003 1:57 pm

Could be the local roads...if they're not to spec, it can mess up your tire wear pattern...But have they verify your alignment just to be sure it's ok...never hurts to check...

Wheel alignment

Wheel alignment

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