So this is my dilemma;

I have a 2009 Acura TL FWD Tech purchased in Sept.09 with 30,000KM now.

In April I switched the stock 17" rims to after market rims 20" chrome on 245/35/20 tires.

Last week I was getting something done with the rear tires off and my mechanic noticed that the insides of my rear tires (both sides) were wearing out quicker then the rest of the tire. When you run your hand over it, its not totally smoother either, its rigid, so bump smooth bump smooth bump...

He suggested something was wrong in the back end - either an alignment was needed or my shocks

I went to another shop to get a laser alignment done, and it came up totally fine, no issues, everything set fine - so they too said they think it may be the shocks going bad

Now my question is this - so many people here went aftermarket to 20" rims on the same size tires, has anyone else noticed this issue at all?

Second - does it make sense that its a shock issue, or could it be something else at all that I should get looked at?

My plan is to ride out the summer now on my aftermarket wheels and go back to my stock in winter and then see what happens at that point, if the issue is still there (by looking at my stock tires tread) then I will take it in under warranty to get it checked because I am sure if I go now with my aftermarket wheels it will all get blamed on that...

Just looking to get any advice/help on what the issue may be and to get guided the right way...

 

Are you lowered at all? I have noticed that with my 20's (i'm lowered) that the rear do have some neg camber. I think the factory setting has that. When have you rotated them last (front to back)? Frequent rotations usually help issues like this.

 

Not lowered at all, no suspension mods done, and to be honest, its not like the ride is harsh or I feel it.

Just want to be sure im not really wrecking my shocks or struts or springs and only really killing the tires.

I just wonder about others here - because almost everyone that went aftermarket went on 20" 245/35/20 and should be having the same issue I guess?

As far as rotation - if I move these tires to the front with the insides of the tire a bit more worn out then the front, am I going to feel it in the ride ? (thats my other concern)

I guess I will never really know until I put my stock rims/wheels back on for winter and drive to see if its doing the same thing.

I can live with just the tires and them being low profile maybe causing this and just change the tires when its time.

 

I had a Maxima that did this. I didn't notice it until I had passengers in the back who complained about the tire noise. The load in the back cambered the tires onto the scalloped inside edges, producing more noise/rougher ride.

I took it to two shops. The first found no problem. The second, a really good shop in the DC area, found that rear alignment was off. After a 4 wheel alignment and new rear tires, it was an amazing difference.

 

So is it possible nothing is wrong and if I just changed the tires (when its time) I might just notice a difference?

Again I guess I have nothing to base it on until I put my stock rims/tires back on for winter and take a look.

I know with the new rims they are about 6-8lbs more weight then the stock so maybe that load is putting a strain and just causing the camber to do this?

As I noted I had a full laser alignment checked and it was perfect.

 

^^ Could be the size/weight of the tires are causing that to happen. I learned in the past that if you just rotate your tires more often than normal that should keep something like that from happening. But sounds like you're already past being able to do that. Maybe on the next set you can rotate them front to back more often.