weight distribution vs tire wear

[BLOHS7844]

This is more a theoretical question than anything. If something like my battery was put in the trunk, (or moved weight back by other means) how do you think that would affect tire wear overall? I would guess on launches it would make it worse because you would spin more. But on daily driving, would it increase the longevity of the tires? Less weight on the front tires so maybe the would heat up less?

 

[WES_393]

Being as you have a GST, the front wheels not only drive the car but also steer it. So regardless of how much weight you moved to the back, the front tires are still going to wear faster than the rear. Especially if your a spirited driver. So moving the battery to the trunk might help the tires wear more evenly, but not enough to notice a difference. You have a FWD, front wheel steered, front heavy car. There is really no way around it.

But if your really concerned about it, you could just rotate them every 5-10K miles.

 

[jtmcinder]

0) Let's assume he's already rotating, OK?

1) You'd have to move a lot more than the battery to have any real effect.

2) Toe plays a much larger role than most people think. Zeroing the toe is what you should do if tire-wear is a big issue to you. Spec for almost all Mitsus is way too much rear toe-in. Half what they suggest is fine for braking stability and reducing tire-wear quite a bit.

 

[BLOHS7844]

I'm gettin quite a bit of camber wear on the front tires. not so much from the toe

 

[red_devil]

Its probably not your camber but your toe is out. Get it aligned and find out.

 

[jtmcinder]

+1

I'm gettin quite a bit of camber wear on the front tires. not so much from the toe

Let's be clear about what you know vs what you're guessing.

You know that the inside half of your tires are wearing faster than the outsides, yes?

 

[BLOHS7844]

Yes the inside much more than the outside. My grandpa is a mechanic and felt it. He said it wasn't from the toe because there were no sharp edges.

If it matters the steering wheel is turned a good amount to the right if I want to drive straight

 

[bmoha7321]

Sorry. Next logical question to me is is the car lowered?

 

[Lou98GSX]

usually the toe is what really wears tires but if camber is off a lot it can wear tires .

 

[BLOHS7844]

The car is not lowered but looks kinda like it is because it has low pros

 

[jtmcinder]

Yes the inside much more than the outside. My grandpa is a mechanic and felt it. He said it wasn't from the toe because there were no sharp edges.

Oh, well, if someone who grew up before steel belts were added to tires says it's not toe, ignore me.

 

[bmoha7321]

Hahahahahaha Cinder!

 

[red_devil]

Wish I could do an alignment check with my fingers, would save some $$

 

[bmoha7321]

Toe in or out unless excessive is hard to see. You'd have to have horrible amounts of camber to wear off the insides of your tires. You would be able to see that just by looking at the car. I had a similar problem. Thought it was camber. Turned out to be toe. Toe will wear tires fast.

 

[DSM1G90]

going to wear faster than the rear

And front brakes also.

 

[BLOHS7844]

The wear on the front tires was past the treads and he said with wear like that you would probably be able to tell if it was camber or toe. He suggested an alignment check anyway