[ferocity02]

I bought my car used several months ago and am wondering if the alignment on this thing is way off, or if it's normal. First of all, the inside edge of my front tires are worn bald while the outer edge still has 50%+ tread left.

Secondly, the front end seems very sensitive to the surface of the road. For example, when changing lanes and driving over the reflectors that separate the lanes, the reflectors will cause the steering and front end to move about. The steering wheel moves with it, almost like it's bump steer or roll steer. If the road is uneven, the tires seems to "catch" on the uneven-ness and the front end darts around.

I've never driven a car like this and I'm nor sure if it's normal. Seems borderline dangerous to me. I'm curious if this could be fixed with an alignment or perhaps there is a greater mechanical issue. I'm getting an alignment done later this week.

[udm328i]

Replace that tire and get that alignment asap,

[ferocity02]

Originally Posted by udm328i

Replace that tire and get that alignment asap,

That's the plan. I'm replacing them with the Hankook V12 evo2's and getting an alignment done at the same time. Both tires look like this actually.

Alignment. You need one...toe is off.

[CALWATERBOY]

Originally Posted by FCobra94

Alignment. You need one...toe is off.

+1

No doubt about it.

[IrishNoodles]

Yep, the alignment is way off, which has caused the tires to wear unevenly, which then causes the front end to seem sensitive to different road surfaces. When I bought my 335xi the dealer had put a brand new set of Pirelli PZero all-seasons on it, but hadn't done an alignment - within 6 weeks the car was waiving all over the road . . horrendously unevenly worn tires, meaning I needed to get an alignment done and a new set of tires!

[ssdara]

The insides of european cars' tires will wear out quicker because of the weight differentials, but I guess that is a rather large disparity there.

Originally Posted by ssdara

The insides of european cars' tires will wear out quicker because of the weight differentials, but I guess that is a rather large disparity there.

wat?

[pj.rodriguez]

Quick question,

Alignment after a new tire install or alignment before with the old tire. Does it make a difference?

[ferocity02]

Originally Posted by pj.rodriguez

Quick question,

Alignment after a new tire install or alignment before with the old tire. Does it make a difference?

I'm guessing it doesn't matter, but if you can, I would get the alignment done with the new tires. That is what I'm going to do.

[ferocity02]

Got the tires off today, taking them to the tire place tomorrow. Good thing I got them off, showing cords!

[ferocity02]

Got the front tires replaced with non-runflats and had the alignment done today. FL toe was -0.34 deg and FR toe was -0.47 deg, for a total toe of -0.81 deg. That explains a lot...

They adjusted the toe to +0.12 deg on both sides for +0.24 deg of total toe.

The toe on the RL was also out of range, everything else was within range.

Car drives MUCH better now. The steering is far less sensitive the the road's surface and doesn't try to steer into the ditch at every little bump. Should help the front tires wear more evenly too.

[David1]

Originally Posted by ssdara

The insides of european cars' tires will wear out quicker because of the weight differentials, but I guess that is a rather large disparity there.

Bullshit