luvCats69

Hi all,

So the current Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 tires (all 4) are feathering at 10k miles (with rumble noise coming from the tires), all service alignment and tire balancing has been followed, both Toyota and an independent shop find nothing wrong with the suspension (car is low mileage, btw), and Michelin has agreed to pay for a large portion of the replacement tires. The only problem is that Michelin says the only Michelin tire that is recommended for my car is the newer Pilot Sport A/S 3+, which is the newer version of what I already have on my car. I would like to move to a different tire so I don't experience the same feathering in 10k, possibly even move to a touring tire, but Michelin doesn't offer another option in 245/40/18.

What other options do I have besides going with another brand or just out right selling the car?

Thanks

ibidu1

iTrader: (1)

Post a pic of your alignment chart, also where are you getting the feathering the front or rear? Most likely you have a bad bushing in your suspension throwing off the alignment. Ive had the same problem and ended up being worn bushings.

luvCats69

Hi ibidu1. You commented on my prior post about this (prior post has alignment image. Front Toe was off by only 0.29 degrees, and steer ahead was off by only -0.18. Toyota said that all 4 tires shouldn't feather that much on 10k miles since the tow wasn't off by that much. What do you think? I don't think the tires I have on now are defected. Do you think I would get the same results in 10k miles when switching from the Pilot Sport A/S 3 to A/S 3+ after getting the car aligned with the news tires?

XxGoKoUxX

Tire feathering sounds like one of your suspension components have failed. My GS430's struts went out @ 60k miles, around 2012 if I'm correct? that's at around 6 years. I don't drive it on rough roads as it was mostly highway mileage I put on the car. Can you find a local Lexus dealer around you to have your struts and suspension components checked? (just in case?)

Selling a car is a bit extreme for something that shouldn't cost you as much to fix.

The AS3+ that Michelin is offering you is a very UTQG tire, meaning it should last you a VERY long time. You shouldn't have any problems with that new tire. Matter of fact you shouldn't have gotten feathering off of your AS3 alone, as its 500UTQG also.

P.S. I also forgot to mention, as to my knowledge, I've owned probably 20+ cars in my lifetime, and none of them have feathered except for the GS (in terms of, like I said, my struts failing). Tire feathering is not normal. I don't even think it is Michelin's responsibility but that's awesome that they're replacing it!

luvCats69

I had Toyota inspect the entire suspension as well as an independent shop and they found nothing. Would taking it to Lexus make any difference?

Wouldn't it be obvious if the struts were failing? The car has only 40k on the clock and I experience no irregular bouncing when leaning on all 4 corners or when hitting a bump in the road. The car feels well planted when diving into turns.

Is the car's steering system that sensitive to low profile a/s tires where you really have to keep an eye on performing regular tire rotations and balancing at 5k intervals?

ibidu1

iTrader: (1)

Lexus toyota and many alignment shops I also went to couldnt figure out my problem of the rear feathering on the inner edges. A car can sometimes appear to have good alignment on the alignment rack but once on the road the drivetrain can shift a worn out bushing and chew up your tire.

After replacing many of the main bushings, my problem went away. Tires rarely feather on there own, especially top brand name like michelins. It doesnt cost much nor does it take a lot of time to replace bushings. A lot cheaper then buying a new set of tires.

luvCats69

Thanks ibidu1 for the suggestion. I may try to replace the bushings first.

What do the main bushings consists of, and did you by the parts through Rock Auto?

luvCats69

Lexus says this would include the front and rear sway bar bushings, only that I would have to buy the rear sway bar assembly since they don't sell just the bushing for the rear. Does this makes sense?

ibidu1

iTrader: (1)

My problem started in the rear tires only

I replaced all the bushings/arms in the rear end. For the front I replaced the big lower control arm rear bushing ( I highly recomend you replace this) For the front you can change out the lower ball joints, tie rod ends.

All my bushings are from the dealer, I get deep discounts! Except for the rear control arms those are spc aftermarket adjustable. At my cost the dealer stuff was close to if not lower priced then aftermarket bushings.

luvCats69

"For the front you can change out the lower ball joints, tie rod ends." Do you mean bushings or the entire part?

ibidu1

iTrader: (1)

1: You have lower control arm rear bushing, this bushing tends to wear quickly.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LEXUS-OEM-IS...tW6ltO&vxp=mtr

You can replace upper control arms, ball joints, and tie rod ends. But the main one in the front is that big bushing, its cheap and very simple to replace. If you can change a tire you can change this out yourself. But make sure to get an alignment right after

KevGS460ML

I am thinking it's related to the tires rather than suspension because the OP said it's a low mileage car. Mine has 142k miles on it now, and still on the original suspension. Coincidentally, I have a set of the AS 3+ on it now with 10k miles. The thread looks perfect. When I had the original AS, the thread was braking up in chunks rather than wearing down. Discount tires told me, that it was a common issue with this model tires, and the AS 2 had fixed it. So, I put on the 2, and now the 3+ without any issue at all.