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3Ms75Argosy · 07-10-2007, 11:17 PM

Too many left turns and scrubbing? Baffling. I say try swapping tires like Robert suggests and see the new tire in the same position does this. If it does, maybe some alignment at just that swingarm is the problem, although it seems to be wearing flat.
Marc

ticki2 · 07-11-2007, 04:45 AM

Have you checked the diameter of each tire ?

overlander63 · 07-11-2007, 05:32 AM

It could be that one tire is toed slightly out, but that is difficult to do without changing the camber as well, and you would see feathering on the tread if it was toed in or out. When they take the tire off, maybe you could ask to have somebody look at the inside, see if there are any bumps of bulges that don't belong.
I know tri-axles are kind of hard on tires, but to wear onoly one like that is not good. Do you think you can get Goodyear to warranty it for you? Or not a big enough issue to bother with?

LI Pets · 07-11-2007, 07:20 AM

Is it possible that tire has more weight on it?

Cracker · 07-12-2007, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LI Pets

Is it possible that tire has more weight on it?

Good question! With our rubber-filled axles I've often wondered what would happen if the rubber in one axle - for whatever reason - was either harder or softer than in the other axles? Say the source for the rubber dowels changed in the middle of the axle manufacturing process to a slightly softer or harder rubber. Just like with tires, quality control issues have a nasty habit of going our of kilter - and oftentimes without being noticed!

Goin camping · 07-12-2007, 08:51 AM

If on your previous tires there was no unsual wear at that position. I'd look to that particular tire as the problem.

ROBERTSUNRUS · 07-12-2007, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goin camping

If on your previous tires there was no unsual wear at that position. I'd look to that particular tire as the problem.

Hi, if I remember correctly, 2air swapped to disc brakes at or near the same time. That's why I think it could be tire or brake related. If an alignment concern, I would feel side to side feather edgeing on the tire, but I don't have the ability to feel those tires on my computer screen.

2airishuman · 07-23-2007, 08:57 PM

ok to update those who offered ideas on this issue...

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

One tire is wearing faster than the rest and seems to be even...

yep that's the gist of it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

...one disc brake is pulling harder than the rest...

hadn't thought of this. the pads were pulled and all were the same thickness.

additionally i've had disc brakes since the trailer was new and with 40k+ miles on the original pads they are wearing nicely. many are in need of new pads at 10-15k miles.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

...my last thought is that the rubber compound on that one tire is different...

that was my conclusion also.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3Ms75Argosy

Too many left turns and scrubbing?...Marc

the rear tires DO get scrubbed more, but my gut is same # of rights and lefts...

Quote:

Originally Posted by ticki2

Have you checked the diameter of each tire ?

i didn't measure the diameters but on inspection the worn tire was clearly smaller...

Quote:

Originally Posted by overlander63

It could be that one tire is toed slightly out...

...Goodyear to warranty it for you? Or not a big enough issue to bother with?

alignment was checked at the factory and reported as normal...

i decided not to bother with the warranty side. too much hassel for 75$...

Quote:

Originally Posted by LI Pets

Is it possible that tire has more weight on it?

this was my initial thought (along with axle issues)

factory guys weighed front/rears individually on each side, and they were within 100lbs all around.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cracker

if the rubber in one axle - for whatever reason - was either harder or softer than in the other axles?

i asked them about this. the explanation was, "5 of 6" would need to fatigue for this one to show tire wear...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goin camping

If on your previous tires there was no unsual wear at that position. I'd look to that particular tire as the problem.

as noted back in post #13 and 15, i did have one in the first set show signs of uneven wear at 30k, but it was in another position and on the opposite side...

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

I would feel side to side feather edgeing on the tire, but I don't have the ability to feel those tires on my computer screen.

yea the wear was pretty even. my thought was perhaps the centramatics could be masking a balance issue.

....

so after all the above gyrations, the conclusion was the rubber compound was perhaps softer in that tire.

a new tire was mounted and balanced, and all the others were rotated...

i'll report back how this new tire wears....

thanks for all the ideas, guys...

cheers
2air'

2airishuman · 02-20-2008, 06:57 PM

greeting vulcanizers and tread watchers...

the 2nd set of marathons passed the 120,000 mile mark several weeks ago....

about 6 months since the last tire update.

i took that opportunity to photo these tires and note the tread depth at 7+/32nds all around...

and here they are...

a couple of shots from the curb side.

very even wear and no signs of foul play.

cheers
2air'

click pic for larger view...

2airishuman · 02-20-2008, 07:01 PM

now for the street side...

again not bad looking for the mileage...

should be good for another 40-60,000...

pending the unknown events ahead.

cheers
2air'

click pix for larger views....

2airishuman · 02-20-2008, 07:15 PM

as chance sometimes happens,

about 3 days after these pics,

on a routine morning 'preflight' pressure check...

i measured the street side rear tire at 45 psi...

while it had been at 65psi a day earlier, as were all the other tires...

so it was time for a quick change-a-roo to the spare, b4 leaving the rv park.

the spare (1 of 2 i carry) was manufactured the 7th week of '05....

just a few weeks b4 the trailer was assembled in j/c....

the spare went on without issues, except the steel wheels WILL NOT fit with centramatics in place....

the steel spare DOES have lead weights, so either it was balanced or the lead was added for show...

here is a shot of the newer (chinese) tire next to the older (canadian) tire...

imo the newer tires have a better mold and surface compound, along with a thin 'scuff ridge' ...

i towed with the spare at 65 psi without issues for 1500 miles or so...

before having the original plugged/patched, it had a very small nail/staple in the outer 1/3 of the treadline...

click pic for bigger view!

cheers
2air'

2airishuman · 02-20-2008, 07:23 PM

while changing the flat,

i took the opportunity to inspect the brake pad and rotor...

these disc brakes are kodiaks, on henschens axles/hubs, with the actibrake controller...

and were part of the original a/s factory build.

rotor looks GOOD imo...

and the pad still has PLENTY of material, with no signs of edge/heat decay...

(sorry no pic of the inside pad, but it looked healthy too)

at 50,000+ miles of service.

that's VERY GOOD imo, and since these pads are often replaced at 10-15k.

the plan is to change brake fluid next month (3 years) and replace the pads at that time.

cheers
2air'

once again, click pic for BIGGER VIEW of pads and bits...

ROBERTSUNRUS · 02-20-2008, 10:06 PM

Hi, 2air. If you split the difference between the the noise maker and it's reflection in the rotor, it looks like you still have a lot of brake lineing left. But that zerk fitting sure looks awfully dry. [Just kidding]

2airishuman · 02-20-2008, 10:19 PM

no kidding robert!

wait aren't those the bleeder valves?

i'm gonna keep/save these oem pads and try 6 sets of ceramics next.

cheers
2air'

ticki2 · 02-21-2008, 08:39 AM

Getting 50k out of pads you may want to stick with OEM , the ceramics might be too hard on the rotors . Just a thought.

fotochop · 02-21-2008, 10:57 AM

caveat: I'm no expert

BUT..I had the OEM pads on my '03 Odyssey replaced with (mechanic recommended) ceramics and it was a disaster. wobble, wobble every time I braked.

replaced ceramics with OEM and perfect. quiet, smooth.

my 2c

2airishuman · 02-21-2008, 12:39 PM

thanks for the suggestions regarding pads tiki' and 'chop...

and we all should be mindful of messing with a good thing.

i spent considerable time properly bedding in these rotors and tempering the pads...

and believe this is a key issue to a long service life.

i will definitely report back on what happens next with tires or brakes.

cheers
2air'

ROBERTSUNRUS · 02-21-2008, 10:18 PM

Hi, I had ceramic pads on my Ford Explorer and the stopping power increased with no ill effects. My Navigator has them on the rear [ceramic pads] because the OEM pads were getting thin and I will have them on the front pretty soon. If they last as long as the OEM pads and take the rotors with them, I'm OK with that too, but that hasn't been the case yet. Whatever you do, do not replace any pads without machining the rotors; That's asking for problems. My vote is for the ceramics.

2airishuman · 04-29-2008, 09:46 PM

last year i purchased 2 extra alcoa wheels while in j/c...

since the alcoa wheels have been discontinued a/s was dumping the leftovers...

one was bare and the other had a tire mounted.

the tire looked a little lumpy but my only need was the rim, so into the truck they went....

recently i polished up these wheels in prep for mounting tires...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/show...1&postcount=12

on closer inspection the tire had an indentation (left arrows 9 and 11 o'clock ) which isn't a hazard,

but it also had a small longitudinal bulge (right arrows 3 and 5 o'clock) on the front and back...

this bulge was very subtle, but definitely a bulge...

my photos don't show it well but it looked EXACTLY like this one...

Tire Tech Information - Sidewall Indentations, Undulations and Protrusions at The Tire Rack.

this tire is a canadian made gym from april 2005.

click pix for larger view...

cheers
2air'

2airishuman · 04-29-2008, 10:02 PM

so i decided to visit a local g-y shop with the tire.

i had no expectation that they would replace the tire, but the shop was on my route anyway.

so i explained to the tire guy, that this was a back up spare for a travel trailer,

and that it was unused, it was still covered with the rubber whiskers/nubs...

the tire guy checked the sidewalls, looked at the manufacture date (april 05-canada) and wrote up a ticket.

when he finished writing, he said...

"if you'd like to wait we can change it right now"

"how much will a new one cost?" was my reply

he handed my the work order and smiled... "that will cost ya 25 cents"

"i can wait" and "i'll take it!" i said with a laugh....

below are pics of the new (2008) chinese gym, which matches my last 6 tires...

i asked him about the replacement policy and he explained that...

under 5 years and ANY covered defect is replaced, pro-rated for wear.

no wear=100% replacement coverage.

so i encourage all of you to CHECK YOUR SPARE TIRES...

if they've got bulges and were manufactured after mid 2003...

you might visit a goodyear shop with the tire and some pocket change!

cheers
2air'

mounting/balance were included and they even used adhesive weights (per my request)

click pix for larger view....