V8 Sport suspension owners: ROTATE your tires!!
 

This has been discussed on some threads (usually about buying tires), but I don't remember a thread just to warn people about the negative camber in the suspension, partiuclarly the rear wheels on the Sport suspension SAV's. I don't know if the non-Sports have the same negative camber. Since the wheels/tires are staggard, you can't easily rotate them.

I got a full set of Toyo's about 14,000 miles ago and remembered my Micheline's had a LOT of meat left on the outer edge, but were bare on the inner edge. I decided to take them in for a side to side rotation.

After the rotation, I was shocked to see that the tread on the outer edge (previously the inner edge) was about 1/2 a key width in tread depth, while the new inner edge was almost a full key width in depth (virtually like new). I really feel I essentially doubled the life of my tires for $10/corner. I also added a 4 wheel alignment since it was about time.

did you not feel the car vibrating at higher speeds when your tires weren't rotated?

I had a bearing like noise on my tires, front right and back left, I had my bearing check, and they werer fine, check my tires, they looked fine, I decided to go to the tire shop, when the removed one rear tire the inner part was a lot lower than the other parts. I have about 20k on them(not noticeable when mounted in the vehicle) i decided to have them rotate them by removing them from the rims. cost me $20.00 per rim, all noises are gone, I did my aligment. now i am good to go.

It drove fine. I still have a good amout of tread left, but remember what happened last time and decided try to save some tire.

There is serious negative camber on the 4.4i Sport setup. What value did your alignment shop (dealer?) set the rear camber to? (on your alignment sheet, it should state what your camber was before and after alignment adjustment). Could you share these numbers?

Thanks AUS!

My independent mechanic recommended I rotate my sport 18s front to back (MXV4s). He noticed the uneven wear. I took it to him before my warranty was up so he could inspect my CV boots and for a thorough examination. Not that I don't trust the dealer :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

How often do i need to do an alignment. I have one done last year around this time. Also do i need to rotate my tires? I thought the front and rear tires are different sizes. I have 4.4i 2001 x5. Right now i feel a little vibrating and also it tends to lean to the left when i drive. The steering wheel also tends to lean the same direction. thanks

Can you rotate tires on the sport suspension X5? I thought most were uni-directional tires? Do you have to have the tires removed from the wheels?

Check the tires. As I said, I have 18" MXV4 sports and my mechanic recommended front to back rotation. You do not remove the tires from the wheels.

Yes, this is PROVIDED your tires are NOT Asymmetric (Diamaris is asymmetric).

Waste of time IMHO rotating for sports set-up - just get new shoes. :thumbup:

Remember, I rotated from side to side, so you have to pay to dismount the tires, balance and then remount them.

bimmer, I'll see if I can find the alignment sheet.

Boston, why would you waste literally half a tire??? It's your money.
It's only $10-15/corner to dismount a tire and balance it.
And people here have done this rotation with the Diamaris without any problems.

As for when to do an alignment, I try to do it once a year or around 10k miles or if the vehicle is pulling to one side.

I will scan aligment the report and post it wenesday

I had them removed from the rims amd switch them arround

dude.. if you read any kind of reviews and the Michelin website, you cannot rotate asymetrical tires from side to side. Outer tread compound and block design vs inner block design and compound are DIFFERENT. You will severely affect handling performance and they strongly advise AGAINST doing this. Your stupid tire shop should've told you this too. There is a label on the outside of tires such as the diamaris that state which side is the OUTSIDE sidewall of the tire and that's there for a reason. You going to compromise your safety to save a few bucks.. penny wise pound foolish:confused:

Here's a blurb from the site.

On the outside, the 4x4 Diamaris molds a wet weather tread compound into an asymmetric tread design that features large outer shoulder blocks that contribute to steering response and cornering confidence. A continuous center rib enhances steering precision and high-speed stability while two wide circumferential and multiple lateral grooves channel water to reduce the possibility of hydroplaning. Internally, two high-tensile steel belts are reinforced by Michelin's BAZ technology (spiral wrapped nylon Banded At Zero degrees to tire rotation) to enhance stability at high speeds while improving tire uniformity and reducing weight to assure an even ride quality.

SAN already answered this - penny wise, pound foolish.


FWIW, if your local tire guy is telling you that you can turn asymmetric tires inside out then I would find a new tire shop.


Like you said its my money (and my safety). To each their own. :thumbup:

Summary
 

Thanks Aus and SANguru,

So, to summarize:

1. Do not rotate side-to-side if you have asymetric tires.
2. Those X5's with a staggered setup (front and rear wheels are different sizes) cannot rotate front to back.
3. Adjusting the negative camber setup for less camber can improve rear tread life, but will decrease handling characteristics; cornering.
4. It's a good idea to keep an eye on the inner side tread depth, since that will tend to show early wear.

Yes on all 4 :thumbup:

5. Front to back is more common if you don't have a staggered setup because you don't need to remove the tires from the wheels in order to rotate them.

Can any of you read? I got Toyo's and said OTHER's have done the swap with Diamaris.

I see you have reading problems too.

[quote=flatlander]Thanks Aus and SANguru,

So, to summarize:

3. Adjusting the negative camber setup for less camber can improve rear tread life, but will decrease handling characteristics; cornering.

I neutralized the negative camber on my rear wheels and I have not seen adverse effects in the handing. I can still push her hard into off ramps (the only corners we have here in Florida!!!).

I would think the only time it may become an issue would be a swift emergency turn. In 20 years of driving I have not had to do a 90 degree turn at speed.....

One other important item for long tire wear and handling is tire pressures. Maintaining the recommended pressures (measured cold) is the best for the life and maximum grip of the tire.