Tire Feathering / Alignment problem

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Oct 4, 2013 | 01:57 PM

ohkun

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From: BC

Tire Feathering / Alignment problem

I recently noticed my tires are chewed up and feathering like crazy on both outer edge (happening to both front tires)

it's 2009 IS250 RWD dropped with fsports spring.
19" f-sport rims and Michelin Pilot tires.

I noticed it late because car still drives perfect and there was no sign of anything being out of order.

I'm taking it to the shop tomorrow but I'd like to know in advance what could be causing it.

I also noticed tire is cracking already.. bit weird since tires are only 4 years old.

Any thoughts?

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Oct 5, 2013 | 08:46 AM

Gville350

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On BOTH outer edges...that's crazy odd. I've got a slight case of the same on the rear inner edge of one of my tires currently. But NOTHING that bad!

Wish I had an idea on this for you...but I don't

GL!

Oct 14, 2013 | 12:10 PM

JohnLX300

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These are Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires if I remember the tread pattern correctly. These tires are known for what you see here of "chunking" as they are wearing. Some are more prominent than others. You should give Michelin a call as I would see this as a manufacturing defect over anything else.

Oct 17, 2013 | 10:56 AM

Noeh

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I'm on stock 17" wheels and I see the same wear on both edges, though not as bad. Chances are it's due to the 19" rims + fast cornering

Last edited by Noeh; Oct 26, 2013 at 08:20 PM.

Oct 26, 2013 | 10:22 AM

biiishplz

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From: California

I'm seeing the exact same problem with my tires! I also have Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus tires, but in the stock 225/40R18 front and 255/40R18 rear...

I was going to say that mine wasn't quite as extreme, but I just looked at the tires again. It had been a few months since I had looked at the tires. It's definitely getting worse. Initially, I thought it was just due to the amount of caster in the suspension combined with how far the wheels are allowed to turn in the 2IS, but it's clearly more than that. I had the car aligned shortly after I bought it, and it didn't help.

I just take a small amount of comfort in knowing I'm not alone!

Oct 28, 2013 | 01:56 AM

ohkun

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From: BC

Head mechanic at local lexus dealer confirmed this is usual issue with this tire when it's 4+years old.

I googled tire name and i'm finding tons more case regardless of make of the car.

I feel so much better knowing that i only need to get new tires.

Oct 29, 2013 | 10:38 AM

Byprodrive

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ohkun

Looks like you need more air psi. in the tires as they are only wearing on outside edges. Michelin has a superior rubber compound that resists cracking better than any other brand. Your cracked tire must get full sun exposure daily to crack in 4 years. Check DOT date codes to see how old the tire really is. Tire must be over heated to chunk like that. Under inflated + hard cornering= chunking. A/S tire has a high rubber to void ratio designed for wet traction not hard cornering. Rubber gets harder as it gets older so not sure Lexus mechanic is being truthfull with you.