Eating Tires
#1
24 yrs driving 2nd Gen RX
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2002
Location: A Mile Closer to God (Denver)
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Eating Tires
HI Gang,
I have an '87 TII which I love to drive. However, it eats rear tires. Twenty five thousand miles and they're bald. The tire guys say it's b'cause I didn't rotate them every block or two (or something like that).
Also, it's very unstable on damp and/or snowy pavement. Doesn't take much. In a medium rain storm, I have to be very careful or the car will fish-tail. On snow...forget it. I have to crawl (20mph max) or spin-out.
I suspect there's something up with the rear end. Any input about what...and more important what I can do about it?
THX!
- k -
I have an '87 TII which I love to drive. However, it eats rear tires. Twenty five thousand miles and they're bald. The tire guys say it's b'cause I didn't rotate them every block or two (or something like that).
Also, it's very unstable on damp and/or snowy pavement. Doesn't take much. In a medium rain storm, I have to be very careful or the car will fish-tail. On snow...forget it. I have to crawl (20mph max) or spin-out.
I suspect there's something up with the rear end. Any input about what...and more important what I can do about it?
THX!
- k -
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Delaware
Posts: 659
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yep its rear wheel drive. Also you should rotate your tires so they last longer (even wear on all 4 instead of rears completely worn and fronts with lots of tread). I never tried this with a 7...but I know with my 86 benz (also front engine rear wheel drive), I put concrete brick things in the trunk (those heavy gray things), one tied down to each side when it snows or rains a lot, and it helps A LOT with traction (doesn't fishtail no where near as much). Now keep in mind the benz only has 120HP (I think, but its a 2.3L-8valve), but it can still fishtail just like a 7...
#6
Boosting Again
that is the usual amount of mile sports car tires go out at. and about the fish tailing that is because it is RWD and your tires are bald. with good tread on tires it is harder to fishtail in the rain. and keep the speed down, in bad weather conditions down need to be zipping around every where.
#7
Hey guys,
Thanks for all the replies, but I think you're off the mark. I had an '87 NA which I bought new, and it handled like a dream in ALL kinds of weather.
No, it's not because the tires are bald (I replaced them when they got worn, it was just way too soon).
Really, gang, I'm not stupid. I don't think that it's just a "high performance" car. I mean, on snow I have guys driving Saturns & Cavaliers blow past me like I'm parked, but if I add 2 more MPH, I spin out.
I drove my 1st RX over Red Mountain Pass (SW Colorado) in Feb during a blizzard and never felt the least bit at risk. Something is definitely out of order with this thing.
I'll let you know what it is when I get it corrected, I just was hoping someone here could provide some useful input.
THX just the same.
- k -
Thanks for all the replies, but I think you're off the mark. I had an '87 NA which I bought new, and it handled like a dream in ALL kinds of weather.
No, it's not because the tires are bald (I replaced them when they got worn, it was just way too soon).
Really, gang, I'm not stupid. I don't think that it's just a "high performance" car. I mean, on snow I have guys driving Saturns & Cavaliers blow past me like I'm parked, but if I add 2 more MPH, I spin out.
I drove my 1st RX over Red Mountain Pass (SW Colorado) in Feb during a blizzard and never felt the least bit at risk. Something is definitely out of order with this thing.
I'll let you know what it is when I get it corrected, I just was hoping someone here could provide some useful input.
THX just the same.
- k -
Trending Topics
#8
Rotary Powered Since 1995
iTrader: (4)
Your tII has more horsepower than your 87 na for one; that increases the tendency for the rears to spin when you hit the gas hard in low traction conditions. Also, your tII may have wider tires than your 87 na which also reduces snow traction. A front wheel drive Saturn or Cavalier with all its weight on narrower tires is gonna be way better in the snow than a lightweight rear driver with wide performance tires.
I drove my 90 GTU through six snowy Pittsburgh winters and without dedicated snow tires with plenty of tread (not just all seasons and definitely not summer tires), it was borderline useless when there was real snow or heavy slush on the ground. Now on packed snow, it did OK.
I also added weight to the rear by putting 20 lb. in each storage bin and it may have helped a tiny bit in the winter. Mainly I just had to slow down.
I drove my 90 GTU through six snowy Pittsburgh winters and without dedicated snow tires with plenty of tread (not just all seasons and definitely not summer tires), it was borderline useless when there was real snow or heavy slush on the ground. Now on packed snow, it did OK.
I also added weight to the rear by putting 20 lb. in each storage bin and it may have helped a tiny bit in the winter. Mainly I just had to slow down.
#9
Seduced by the DARK SIDE
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Orange Park FL (near Jax)
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Hey- It's a turbo.
It was born to eat tires.
Also tire treadwear ratings can be useful.
A 120 tire will grip more & wear faster.
If you want or need to save tires & gas, stay off boost & short shift at around 2K..
It was born to eat tires.
Also tire treadwear ratings can be useful.
A 120 tire will grip more & wear faster.
If you want or need to save tires & gas, stay off boost & short shift at around 2K..
Last edited by SureShot; 01-26-04 at 07:20 AM.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Kiev, UKRAINE
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I also have that issue... My rear tires are eated from the inside after 10k km, the outside looks almost new though... Also i have that rubber-slipping sound when i'm starting a bit faster than normal... I did alignment, but it didn't helped, because rear camber is not adjustable... I think it's something wrong with the suspension...
#13
Full Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Johnson City, TN.
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by JerryLH3
Is the tread gone all they way across the tire? Or just on the inside or outside? It could be an alignment/suspension issue.
Is the tread gone all they way across the tire? Or just on the inside or outside? It could be an alignment/suspension issue.
Sounds like an alignment problem to me also. If the tire is bald all the way across it is most likely the camber. If its just worn on one side its probably the toe.This could also affect handling.
#14
Seduced by the DARK SIDE
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Orange Park FL (near Jax)
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Originally posted by Chief_MC
I also have that issue... My rear tires are eated from the inside after 10k km, the outside looks almost new though... Also i have that rubber-slipping sound when i'm starting a bit faster than normal... I did alignment, but it didn't helped, because rear camber is not adjustable... I think it's something wrong with the suspension...
I also have that issue... My rear tires are eated from the inside after 10k km, the outside looks almost new though... Also i have that rubber-slipping sound when i'm starting a bit faster than normal... I did alignment, but it didn't helped, because rear camber is not adjustable... I think it's something wrong with the suspension...
I bet you're running 35-40PSI on low profile tires.
Try running at 28PSI.
That will give you a full footprint on the rear & change the handling from loose to on rails.
#18
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rear toe in. Any noticeable "dog tracking" when you drive? There are adjustment cams in the front of your rear trailing arm when adjusted correctly fixes rear toe in and thrust lines
#20
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by Chief_MC
I also have that issue... My rear tires are eated from the inside after 10k km, the outside looks almost new though... Also i have that rubber-slipping sound when i'm starting a bit faster than normal... I did alignment, but it didn't helped, because rear camber is not adjustable... I think it's something wrong with the suspension...
I also have that issue... My rear tires are eated from the inside after 10k km, the outside looks almost new though... Also i have that rubber-slipping sound when i'm starting a bit faster than normal... I did alignment, but it didn't helped, because rear camber is not adjustable... I think it's something wrong with the suspension...
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Kiev, UKRAINE
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by SureShot
AIR PRESSURE-
I bet you're running 35-40PSI on low profile tires.
Try running at 28PSI.
That will give you a full footprint on the rear & change the handling from loose to on rails.
AIR PRESSURE-
I bet you're running 35-40PSI on low profile tires.
Try running at 28PSI.
That will give you a full footprint on the rear & change the handling from loose to on rails.
I do have an old shocks and springs and thinking about renewing it :-) You think that also can be the cause?
Last edited by Chief_MC; 01-26-04 at 12:00 PM.
#24
Rotary Freak
iTrader: (1)
Originally posted by Chief_MC
Yes! You are right! :-) I'm runing 2.5 bars (which is around 35psi). If i lower the pressure in the tires will i not break the rims? In place where i live roads are in no good shape...
I do have an old shocks and springs and thinking about renewing it :-) You think that also can be the cause?
Yes! You are right! :-) I'm runing 2.5 bars (which is around 35psi). If i lower the pressure in the tires will i not break the rims? In place where i live roads are in no good shape...
I do have an old shocks and springs and thinking about renewing it :-) You think that also can be the cause?