Rear tire wear 2005 X5

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by aspenpup

Re: Rear tire wear 2005 X5

It seems like just a few months ago I replaced all tires and now I see the RETURN of the inside edge of each rear tire worn down to the belt. The outside edge has nearly 90% tread left.

The wear seems to be a bit uneven. I hear about the camber being an issue but this irregular pattern seems to indicate something else, but on both sides? I guess I should look at my bushings/control arms? Any thoughts about this tire wear. All 3 pictures are of the same tire.

I was ready to take to alignment shop and tell them to set the camber different to prevent this type of wear.
]

Sorry to say but you've got worn suspension components. Your best bet would be to do a complete rear end suspension rebuild. Do yourself a favor do not use cheap aftermarket replacement parts. At least do an OEM like Lemfoerder. That wear that your exhibiting in the pictures is excessive. You need to address the suspension problems first before wasting another set of tires.

[smarkwilson]

I had same issue with all new bushings and arms and what fixed was inner adjustable upper control arm bushings from E39 but make sure to put lock washers on the bolts there is a lot of tension on them

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by bmwxseries

ive just fitted new tyres to my x5 amd it runs better than ever.i think the negative camber at the back is rediculous.bmw is just trying to make cash .

BMW doesn't sell tires.

Negative camber is an important part of the handling capability of BMWs (all vehicles to some extent). Best practice is to stay within the alignment specs and not try to compensate with tire pressure.

Pay a premium to own an X5 partly because of the handling capability and then dial it out?

[oldskewel]

This thread is 5 years old. But it is a common problem with these cars, it seems.

Agreed with bcredliner that this is not a BMW conspiracy.

When I bought my '01 with ~168k and original suspension a couple of years ago, it had similar-looking wear. Trying to align, reducing camber, I was not able to get it within spec (got to -2.x*, I think, but no lower). The car drove and handled apparently perfectly before and after alignment, but of course something was wrong to be causing this problem.

I took everything apart, inspecting the components as I got in there. The rear carrier ball joints (33-32-6-767-748) were shot, and I believe were the main cause of this problem. Replaced those and a few other things (integral links, upper control arms) since I was in there (and one of the upper control arms was a little loose). Aligned to the low end of the BMW camber spec, and everything is great again.

New tires alone will not fix this problem, unless you're willing to do that on a monthly basis.

If you can get it aligned within spec, you may be OK, but there is a limit to adjustability.

If you take the next step and get adjustable upper control arms (perhaps a safety concern) to align it within spec, you may be OK.

One thing I remember from the research I did on this was that the failed carrier ball joints will allow excessive deflection when you're getting on the gas, so your car may align OK, look straight enough, but when you step on the gas, the suspension deflects and due to the failed ball joint you're probably spitting off chunks of rubber from the inside edge. (OK, slight exaggeration on that last one, maybe)

[bcredliner]

I have 18mm Velocity spacers and lowered my X5 with H&R lowering kit. Both of which increase negative camber. I have negative camber set at the max. but still in spec. I run performance tires year round. Rears last about 7,500 miles. Front twice that. Would be great if I got more miles out of my tires but I wouldn't own it if it handled like other SUVs.

Life cycles of front and rear moving components are similar enough that replacing some can result in an in spec alignment but it won't be long before that can't be done due to other associated failures. Generally, new stuff accelerates wear on old stuff.

Acceleration compresses the suspension increasing negative camber but if the alignment is in spec that should not result in excessive inner tire wear.

Tires can easily be the only problem. Be sure that somewhere along the line you didn't go to a softer tread. Look for tires with tread hardness in the 400 range if you want tires to last longer.

FYI, if anyone is reading the old portion of this thread there are some posts that are completely false even ludicrous.

[srmmmm]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

Rears last about 7,500 miles. Front twice that.

Acceleration compresses the suspension increasing negative camber but if the alignment is in spec that should not result in excessive inner tire wear.

Me thinks you've been into that nitrous a bit BC

I had my rear alignment set to minimum toe-in and mid-range camber (I think Ricky Bobby recommended those settings - Thank you RB) with my last suspension rebuild and have over 65,000 miles on the current set of Yokohama YK-580s. Of course with no stagger, I can do a full rotation which helps. And although not the barn burner you've got, I get plenty of spirited entrance ramp drives on my 31 mile commute.

2002 X5 3.0 313,700 miles
2014 428i 23,700 miles (This puppy eats up the corners!)

2004 325i 123,600 miles
2001 325i 66,000 miles

1970 Firebird - Under restoration

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by srmmmm

Me thinks you've been into that nitrous a bit BC

Me too! That had to be a fun 7500 miles!

I'm at 12000 miles on my 8-9/32 used Pirelli's that I installed when I got the new wheels. There is inside wear, but definitely nothing extraordinary, especially since I added 15mm spacers in the rear. Hoping to get 20,000 out of them before needing a new set.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by srmmmm

Me thinks you've been into that nitrous a bit BC

I had my rear alignment set to minimum toe-in and mid-range camber (I think Ricky Bobby recommended those settings - Thank you RB) with my last suspension rebuild and have over 65,000 miles on the current set of Yokohama YK-580s. Of course with no stagger, I can do a full rotation which helps. And although not the barn burner you've got, I get plenty of spirited entrance ramp drives on my 31 mile commute.

2002 X5 3.0 313,700 miles
2014 428i 23,700 miles (This puppy eats up the corners!)

2004 325i 123,600 miles
2001 325i 66,000 miles

1970 Firebird - Under restoration

It's for go not show.

[srmmmm]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

It's for go not show.

But at my mileage, I worry more about going farther than faster

[estorilx53]

https://youtu.be/_guTE2ANcIg


I hope this will help you