Hi Guys,

Feeling a bit overwhelmed right now. Just realized I've worn out a pair of Continental tires in about 6 months.

Was chasing down an air leak, saw metal tread exposed on inner edge of both front tires. I do need to replace one sides upper shock mounts will do both sides.

Could this worn shock mount have caused inner wear? No one touched the Toe settings in a long time. I do use the Welsh poly so no need to point that out.

Looks like I'm the 3rd poster about inner tire wear in the last month. Take a look at yours make sure ok.

Well the replacement is going to be interesting. I'm going to have to go low budget. God knows what I'm getting into, but I'll drive gently until I get used to new performance boundaries. You know me, of course I'll post some feedback when I get things locked in.

As I type I thought of question #2:
would I see an overall benefit filling the leaking tire with a can of that flat fix stuff? Seems like it may slow the leak while I choose new tire, but I dont know what it does inside to the rim or how it'll complicate install of new tire, so i figured i better ask.

Thanks,

John

 

The tires are too dangerous to drive on if you are seeing metal bands through the tread. Not worth risking your life....

After you install your new tires, have the toe aligned properly by a trusted shop. While failing shocks could indeed be to blame, I bet your toe is way off....

 

I don't think the shock mounts can change the camber enough to do that, more likely a toe problem. My fronts were worn badly on the front when I bought it, but after alignment it's not a problem.

As far as budget tires goes, I'm running Ohtsu FP8000, less than $100 on ebay. They're made by Sumitomo for Falken, handle okay and don't appear to be wearing rapidly.

I wouldn't try to use flat fix if it's wearing that fast, tire failure could result in a serious accident.

 

There is no front end adjustment to eliminate that . That is the way the Brits designed the front end to get the handling the wanted in the car. My 95 XJ6 does the same thing. Get tires that are not directional and have them flipped on the rims now and then. That is what I do.

 

The toe is adjustable and is often the cause of edge wear. Factory camber is typically less than 1 deg neg. and will not cause inside wear.

My XJ6 had very even tire wear.

 

Collapsed upper mounts on the xk do not only change camber but toe as well. Anything that changes ride height changes camber and camber changes always change toe also.
Ez driver someone is not setting up your car correctly. Many shops like to put cars in the middle of alignment setting. Problem is you drive on the road and when you do the road forces the toe out and in your case too much. This is why i like to set more toe in and check suspension deflection by pushing out on the inside of the front tires to simulae what the suspension will do driving. This also lets you know if you have too much stacked play in the suspension. Your tires say too much toe out and that what i lok at then use the machine as a tool to see what to do for settings

 

Thanks guys. I've just ordered a pair of inexpensive replacements, fingers crossed!

I'll get the new mounts in right away, and of course an alignment. Thanks for the feedback, I'll be sure to let you know how these new tires do.

Moderator, you may mark this one as resolved if you like.

John