So here's the story... I bought a pair of Riken Raptor tires (225/45/17) back in May (Z-rated tires made by Michelin, supposedly marketed as "ultra-high performance"). They were balanced and put on the front and I had an alignment done the day after. 5000 miles later, my front driver's side tire still has 90%+ tread left but the passenger tire is worn down to maybe 20% left. I haven't rotated them yet... Because its only been 5000 miles. I had the car "re-aligned" but they said everything was still lined up properly and nothing seems to be wrong mechanically. Checked tie-rod ends, they're good. The tire is worn pretty evenly but seems to be worn more towards the inner and outer edges. I always keep the tires properly inflated... NTB couldn't even answer why the tire is worn so bad besides saying maybe its just a bad tire.

So if anyone here can suggest something I can check/do, please help... Cuz I can't afford to be buying tires every 6 months

(mods please leave in CL General Discussion section for a couple days before moving to tires/wheels/susp., I'd appreciate it)

 

comptech springs are a pretty mellow drop, but you might need a camber kit..?

it's weird that only one tire is so worn; maybe it was defective

 

Contact the manufacturer. Email them pics. Most likely a defective tire.

 

stop only making right turns.....

no seriously i agree with civicdrivr and go contact the manufacturer...even if you had bad camber you would see wear on two tires versus 1 unless the person who did your alignment has one eye or something....def sounds like a bad tire...

 

Wouldn't a right turn put more wear on the left wheel (body rolling to outside of curve)?

Definitely not camber wear... I'll try contacting Michelin sometime in the next couple days but I'm doubtful they'll do anything.

 

how's your toe?

was ur car in an accident?

 

All readings from the alignment fell into specified ranges. No accidents.

 

If it's wearing on both inner and outer it's typically only a result improper tire pressure.

When do you check the tire pressure? Remember the tires have to be cold.

I'm wondering if maybe it is a defective tire. If the sidewall supports were defective, it would cause the sidewalls to sag even under proper inflation and all the weight to fall on the outer sides of the tires.

 

I keep the pressure around 34 PSI on all 4 (checked when cold).

And come to think of it, a few people have told me that the tire "looks low" and out of paranoia I've checked it more often. If no one else can think of anything, I'll just assume its a defective tire. I'll sleep better at night lol

 

Did you ever solve your problem? I'm having the same issue, as well as a lot of other users.

 

are your shocks still good?

 

I consulted a friend of mine who is also an awesom ASE mechanic days after attending a "Front end class." After explaining everything and him giving all the same air pressure, alignment answers, he said "it could be the Caster. A lot of Mercedes and BMW's have an advanced Caster that makes them handle better." He then told me to bring it up and throw it on this new machine they have on their shop and he'd look at it. I think it's an interesting concept, but then everyone would have this problem right?