I bought my car used with brand new forte wheels and tires. Yesterday I noticed that on the inside tread on both front tires about 1-1 1/2" are totally bald. I have had the car for around two years but only put around 9000 miles on it. I am hoping that this is an alignment issue. What I am thinking is that they installed the tires and wheels and didn't align it. The front tires are too skinny for the wheels 215/35/19's. There is atleast a 1/4" of wheel sticking beyond the tires. Im not sure of the offset but it feels pretty close behind the wheels. Any Suggestions? I have to figure this out quick.
Thanks, chris

 

My guess would be an alignment problem. If the toe is off by much it will eat the tires rapidly. A skinny tire on a wide rim shouldn't cause this IMO. (I have 245/35/18's on a 9" rim) But I'm not an expert. Just observant.

Les

 

yes, it sound like an alignment problem... is the car lowered? that will give you negative camber in front and back and wear out the insides of your tires....

the previous owner may have put the 215/35's on to get clearance from the nut on the upper inside of wheel well with the new rims..... you need to check that and see how wide a tire you can fit on those rims.... I would think you should be running a 225 or 235.... you may have to go to a 30 profile tire to get the clearance you need.....

 

The car isn't lowered, and I agree with the size. I mentioned the tires to the dealer after the first week, but he was unwilling to do anything about it, since I had put a few miles on them. Hell even the door says 220 or something. I kinda felt around behind the top inside part of the wheel, and it's close. If I used spacers the wheels might stick out past the fender. I'll have to take a closer look.
Thanks, chris
Wish it were a little warmer I would ride the bike while I figure all of this out.
I have to put a new tire on the back of it every year as well

 

The back is easy to fix..... I make adjustable links that will let you get the camber dialed where you want it... PM or email me if you have questions..

 

So Toe on the front can be adjusted, but not camber? and The rear has no adjustment at all?

 

The front wheel camber is adjusted by replacing a set of bolts in the lower control arm...it is only a small adjustment... or you can buy the Kmac kit that replaces both bushings in the lower control arms with poly bushings and eccentric bolts and have plenty of adjustment...

The factory rear camber is a fixed strut, no adjustment. Your options are adjustable camber struts or another Kmac kit for the rear....

 

Now Im extremely curious why my rear tires are wearing so bad on the inside. I noticed it a little a while back and thought it was just an alignment problem. The front is the same way but not as bad. I have new ish tires but the back ones are pretty darn worn on the inside about 1".