Alignment

[isarkisov]

My 2009 X5 3.0i has uneven tire wear, outside part is wearing way faster than inside. Can't tell really if it's the front axle, rear, or both axles responsible for uneven tire wear (I rotate tires every 7-10k miles).

Took it for alignment (see printout attached), and now I feel like car is pulling to the right a bit. Not sure if it's just crown of our roads or my caster is out of wack (right side less than left).

What do you guys think about slight pull and excessive outside tire wear?

[ard]

read this thread: https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=668729


your toe on each wheel should be 0.01 to 0.02.


Your camber is seems aggressive. What size tires?



What tire pressure you running?


I know you will find the whole 'toe is the root of evil' thing hard to accept. People eventually do though, as you will read in that thread.



Caster cannot be changed, should not be your issue.

[isarkisov]

I actually asked mechanic to do 0.02 toe in all around, but he convinced me not to do it because it would be out of spec. I guess I shouldn't have listened to him and insisted on 0.02. My tires are so worn on the outside that I will most likely need to change them within next 5k miles, and most likely do alignment again.

I got sport package, so it's 255/50-19 all around. I used to run 32/35 psi (per door sticker), but now changed it to 34/35 psi, and do feel ride to be a bit harsher.

What's the best camber setting, why do you think it's too aggressive?

Also, I moved two most worn tires to the rear, but now since toe is 0.06 in the rear, not sure if that was the right move.

[ard]

Originally Posted by isarkisov

I actually asked mechanic to do 0.02 toe in all around, but he convinced me not to do it because it would be out of spec.

He is wrong, 0.04 IS NOT THE SPEC.

Originally Posted by isarkisov

I guess I shouldn't have listened to him and insisted on 0.02.

Yup

Originally Posted by isarkisov

My tires are so worn on the outside that I will most likely need to change them within next 5k miles, and most likely do alignment again.

Originally Posted by isarkisov

I got sport package, so it's 255/50-19 all around. I used to run 32/35 psi (per door sticker), but now changed it to 34/35 psi, and do feel ride to be a bit harsher.

All I can thinks is with low pressure the sidewalls are 'rolling under' due to the toe in and you are getting outer edge wear. More pressure on the fronts should help. Do keep in mind that 'door jamb' numbers assume FULLY LOADED car. Do you drive if fully loaded? If only 1-2 people, inflate the tires to match. I actually will run more air up front for a big diesel with a 105lb driver. 36/34.

Originally Posted by isarkisov

What's the best camber setting, why do you think it's too aggressive?

Its not horribly aggressive, but usually you see the front neutral and some camber at the back. You are past 50% front and rear. Not the end of the world,

Originally Posted by isarkisov

Also, I moved two most worn tires to the rear, but now since toe is 0.06 in the rear, not sure if that was the right move.

If it rains where you are, just beware this can lead to hydroplane-induced oversteer. (all things being equal, when you begin to hydroplane, the rears- with less tread- may release first.) Just keep it in mind

[ard]

lol
burlingame. Same has here. a month or two before the rain....

[isarkisov]

Originally Posted by ard

lol
burlingame. Same has here. a month or two before the rain....

Yep, hoping to get decent amount of rain this season, you know how it is here , you never know... I also go skiing at Tahoe, so I might have to change tires this winter if we get a lot of snow.

I will go with 35 psi all around and see how that goes. I occasionally tow wake boat, do you recommend increasing tire pressure when towing?

[pshovest]

Your outside wear problem was most likely due to the excessive .09" toe-in and the low inflation pressure. Check the tire sidewall for the max allowed inflation pressure. Then pump the front tires to 40 psi. This is what I run and it will reduce the edge wear. If tires don't have an "outside" marking, dismount and remount with worn edge inside.

[isarkisov]

Originally Posted by pshovest

Your outside wear problem was most likely due to the excessive .09" toe-in and the low inflation pressure. Check the tire sidewall for the max allowed inflation pressure. Then pump the front tires to 40 psi. This is what I run and it will reduce the edge wear. If tires don't have an "outside" marking, dismount and remount with worn edge inside.

Just checked my tires, looks like 40 PSI is the max pressure and there is "outside" marking.


Don't you think 40 PSI in front would be too much causing very harsh ride and hard on suspension?

[pshovest]

Originally Posted by isarkisov

Just checked my tires, looks like 40 PSI is the max pressure and there is "outside" marking.

Don't you think 40 PSI in front would be too much causing very harsh ride and hard on suspension?

Not at all. It all depends on how badly you want to avoid buying new tires.
I'm surprised your max inflation pressure is only 40 psi. What type of tires are these? My Goodyear LS2 runflats need 50psi to get the advertised load rating. My non-runflats on other Bimmers are in the mid 40's. I run fronts at 40 and rears at 36 on the X5. Outside edge wear has all but disappeared.

[isarkisov]

Originally Posted by pshovest

Not at all. It all depends on how badly you want to avoid buying new tires.
I'm surprised your max inflation pressure is only 40 psi. What type of tires are these? My Goodyear LS2 runflats need 50psi to get the advertised load rating. My non-runflats on other Bimmers are in the mid 40's. I run fronts at 40 and rears at 36 on the X5. Outside edge wear has all but disappeared.

I was wrong, when I looked at my tires this morning it says 50 psi max. Not sure where I got 40 psi

They are Pirelli SCORPION VERDE ALL SEASON RUN FLAT 255/50R19 107H XL. I just looked them up in Tirerack and here what it says:

"XL/RF tires required if 255/50-19 is used on rear axle. This requires higher tire pressure levels of 42psi for proper load."

I inflated to 40 psi all around this morning, should I go with 42 in the rear?