Advice on Unusual Tire Wear Pattern
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: So. Cal.
SL500 2001 Formula 1 Edition;
Advice on Unusual Tire Wear Pattern
I have a 2001 R129 (SL 500). It has 18 inch 245/40's in the front. The driver's side tire needs to be replaced because the outside part of the tread has worn WAY faster than the rest of the tire and WAY WAY faster than the passenger side. Both sides have some type of Dunlap run-flat. I am replacing them with Mic. Pilot Sport A/S, hoping to get better wear.
Could an alignment problem cause this on just one side of the car? I've only had her for the last 7000 miles, and both tires looked about the same when I got her (I think), but the passenger side still looks almost new, while the drivers side has the above problem.
Oh, and I don't spend a lot of time making left turns only, so I don't think that's it.
Any suggestions as to the cause?
Could an alignment problem cause this on just one side of the car? I've only had her for the last 7000 miles, and both tires looked about the same when I got her (I think), but the passenger side still looks almost new, while the drivers side has the above problem.
Oh, and I don't spend a lot of time making left turns only, so I don't think that's it.
Any suggestions as to the cause?
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 669
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From: North Bay Area, California
2001 E320
Originally Posted by mebeJOE
Could an alignment problem cause this on just one side of the car? I've only had her for the last 7000 miles, and both tires looked about the same when I got her (I think), but the passenger side still looks almost new, while the drivers side has the above problem.
Last edited by Luke@tirerack; Apr 7, 2006 at 04:43 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 301
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From: So. Cal.
SL500 2001 Formula 1 Edition;
Okay, thanks for the advice, which I will be following. The rear tires I just replaced about 150 miles ago, so they should still be fine (at $300 each, they aren't getting changed again 
). Both fronts are getting changed tomorrow. And then to the shop for alignment.
Thanks again.
). Both fronts are getting changed tomorrow. And then to the shop for alignment. Thanks again.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
Originally Posted by mebeJOE
I have a 2001 R129 (SL 500). It has 18 inch 245/40's in the front.
Could an alignment problem cause this on just one side of the car? I've only had her for the last 7000 miles, and both tires looked about the same when I got her (I think), but the passenger side still looks almost new, while the drivers side has the above problem.
Oh, and I don't spend a lot of time making left turns only, so I don't think that's it.
Any suggestions as to the cause?
Could an alignment problem cause this on just one side of the car? I've only had her for the last 7000 miles, and both tires looked about the same when I got her (I think), but the passenger side still looks almost new, while the drivers side has the above problem.
Oh, and I don't spend a lot of time making left turns only, so I don't think that's it.
Any suggestions as to the cause?
So my $.02 is camber is too positive only on 1 wheel causing this problem. Don't install new tires with out checking this. You might have a belt off center but if it has happened to more than 1 brand of tire it has to be camber. Jim
TR Moderator & Tire God
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,545
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From: SouthBend, IN USA
depends on the weather
have you given any thought to the driver ???? a have seen this happen quite a few times when people drive the same route day after day and take those "right turn" on-ramps for the highway a little faster than they should ..... just a thought 
Last edited by Luke@tirerack; Apr 7, 2006 at 04:49 PM.
