When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Lots of threads have been popping up recently regarding inner tire wear on the IS. This is especially true for front tires, where some members have seen their innermost edges of the fronts go bald in under 10,000 miles. I wanted to try and help reduce the clutter and duplicate posts that go on as a result of the constant questions about this issue. So, here goes...
Before I continue, I'd invite any feedback. If I am messing up any facts, please post here asking for a change, and I'd be glad to include it. If you all think this is helpful, perhaps we'll sticky this to avoid new members jumping straight to the "New thread" button.
What's the issue?
Even with correct alignment, OE or well-regarded tires, and conservative driving styles, drivers of the IS are running into tire issues. The front tires get worn down on their innermost edge in a matter of 20,000, 15,000, or even 10,000 miles in extreme cases, while the rear tires remain healthy. This issue affects IS models with RWD or AWD, regardless of whether the F Sport package or 18-inch wheels are installed. After this issue has set in, a tire might look like this:
In the photo, you can clearly see that the leftmost part of the tire is bald. Any more wear, and the metal cords underneath the rubber would make themselves visible.
Why does this issue happen?
RR Racing, a company that specializes in Lexus products, has a great blog explaining how and why the IS experiences this issue. It's ultimately due to something like bushing deflection, but more often than that. Due to how soft the IS's lower control arm bushings are, the IS experiences toe changes during braking and cornering. For simplicity's sake, I'm going to borrow a diagram from it below.
The toe-out effect caused by the softer lower control arm bushings in the IS causes more load to be placed on the inside of the tire. This aspect of the suspension allows the IS to be a little more compliant over rough surfaces and more stable during corners on rough pavement, but it also wears out the tires quickly.
What can we do about it?
In stock form, an IS has little defense against the issue. It is, in essence, designed this way. However, there are some measures that can help reduce tire wear:
Alignment. Whether you intend to stay stock or not, make sure your car's alignment is in-spec. Toe-out due to hitting a pothole will only accelerate the problem. You could also try running some toe-in to reduce the amount of excessive toe-out, but this, of course, is also not ideal for tire wear. I've done it, and I didn't notice any difference in drive-ability, but still much-reduced inner wear.
Stiffer lower control arm bushings. RR Racing, FIGS, or Lexus's own RC F bushings (yes, they are compatible) will provide less compliance than the extremely soft ones that come standard on the IS. Be aware of the upsides and downsides of each. For instance, poly bushings will require lubrication, and the F bushings are not going to be as firm as the poly bushings. It's possible that bushings will not fully eliminate the issue, and you may still see premature inner edge balding.
Part numbers for the RC F bushings: 48075-24010, 48076-24010
Suffice it to say, an alignment alone won't solve this problem. It's inherent to the IS's suspension design, so no, your car's not broken.
What about the rear tires?
Due to the negative camber applied to the rear tires of the IS, some inner wear can happen out back as well. If tire wear is a problem at the rear, you might consider adding a camber kit to the car to reduce the negative camber. That said, this problem is not unique to the IS as many sport-sedan-type vehicles run negative camber in the rear to improve drive-ability.
Last edited by arentz07; 07-27-23 at 07:10 AM.
Reason: Added part numbers
RCF zero offset LCA bushing with +.08 toe in on each side has eliminated any adverse tire wear on my 2017, oem set lasted about 10k, I have 15k so far and totally even wear.
The rear can also be helped by an additional of a camber kit and setting the camber to 1 degree of camber and toe set at +.015 on each side. I run SPC camber arm in the rear.
Nice job! Good read. There will be a new thread tomorrow
At least people are looking at their tires and paying attention. I've had to wave down a couple drivers and inform them i can see sparks....coming from their rear tire.
I've read (I think on these forums) that the excessive inner tire wear has been reduced on the 2018+ models. I don't recall what the reason given was. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this? I've only had mine for a few months and I keep forgetting to take a look, so I'm no help.
I've read (I think on these forums) that the excessive inner tire wear has been reduced on the 2018+ models. I don't recall what the reason given was. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this? I've only had mine for a few months and I keep forgetting to take a look, so I'm no help.
I've read (I think on these forums) that the excessive inner tire wear has been reduced on the 2018+ models. I don't recall what the reason given was. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this? I've only had mine for a few months and I keep forgetting to take a look, so I'm no help.
Negative, I have an 18 and the inner tire wear was there. a RCF bushings completely mitigated the issue for me so far after 14k miles. I also run SPC rear camber arms on the rears since I’m lowered to get closer to spec so I don’t have too much negative camber.
RCF zero offset LCA bushing with +.08 toe in on each side has eliminated any adverse tire wear on my 2017, oem set lasted about 10k, I have 15k so far and totally even wear.
The rear can also be helped by an additional of a camber kit and setting the camber to 1 degree of camber and toe set at +.015 on each side. I run SPC camber arm in the rear.
With this setup I have perfect even wear now.
Thank you. I added a little blurb about rear tires, since I am sure some people could come here expecting to find info about that issue.
As you can see the front inner wear is not 100% eliminated but being close to 20k so far and I'm happy, without having to induce noise and vibration caused by the polyurethane bushing, this is the closes I think we can get to even wear in the front, the rear is perfectly even across.
I have 11k miles on my 2019 IS 300 F sport now. I drive 90% city and drive pretty aggressively. Shop says I need new brakes and rotors already but my tires seem to look ok. These are the stock bridgestones. '
Hello All,
So i am having the same issue here with my car 2015 IS 250 and the advisor at the dealer say it's an alignment problem so yesterday i decided to check out this forum. I just change my front tires ( bridgestone turanza el400) yesterday so i am looking for a fix because these tires are expensive. The last pair only gave me approximately 14k (wish i could post a picture). I saw the post about changing the LCA bushing from stock to RCF bushing (48075/48076-24010) but when i contacted the dealer and a online supplier for purchasing they said the part is not compatible. Can someone please confirm if this part will work for my car? left tire right tire
Last edited by ChinIS250; 03-28-20 at 02:27 PM.
Reason: pictures
03-10-20, 06:58 PM
All about Lexus IS premature inner tire wear
