Odd Outer Wear on Left Rear Tire & Vibration ...

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Ox1500Sport

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So ever since I replaced the OE Goodyear Wrangler's, I've had a vibration. Even after I had the new tires balanced three different times by three different shops. Eventually, I just got use to it. Now, after 26k miles on the 2nd set, I'm seeing an odd wear pattern .. particularly on the outer tread of the left rear tire. The truck tracks fine and I detect no out-of-alignment issues.

Some pictures & "data" will follow ~ but, wondering if anyone else has had this issue or may have insight on what's going on.

Facts
- 2014 Ram Crew Cab 4X4 w/ 3.92 Rear ~ approaching 60k miles
- OE Tires, Goodyear Wranglers, changed at 33k ~ went back with the Wranglers for the 2nd set. No unusual wear patterns on first set of Wranglers.
- Factory wheel weights (tire balance) were stick on's placed close to the spokes inside the rims. There were also clamp weights on the inner rim lip.
- Tire shop tried to follow the factory method with the weights, but loaded up on the stick on's much more so than the factory ~ claiming necessity. I had a vibration.
- Took to tire shop #2 for a road-force balance ... they placed stick on's centered on the inner rim. I had a vibration.
- Took to tire shop #3 and had all four tires balanced again ... stick on's placed centered on the inner rim ... vibration still there. Tire shop says I have a bad tire & sells me a new tire. Vibration still there. Tire shop then says I have a bent rim. I said the hell with it.
- 26k miles later, odd wear pattern on outer tread of left rear tire .... I rotate every 7,500 miles & run the door jamb tire pressures.

Left Rear Tire (slick outer thread):

XqeVC3Km.jpg aLuL0Mbm.jpg


Front Tire (for comparison)

8TjZDcfm.jpg
 
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TRAXX

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After you rotate the tires, does the vibration move? So just this one tire that has that outer wear pattern? Could be a bad tire. It happens, of course they will try to blame that your truck did it. If they claim the rim is bent Id ask to physically see the proof. I have never been a fan of Goodyear tires. I switched to Michelin's and have been quite happy.
 

U&A

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Looks like BOTH inner and outer shoulders of the tire or wearing. Cannot see how that would be an issue with your truck if it’s inner and outer like that. I’m going with either improper inflation or a bad tire.

One side of the other only would definitely make you think there there’s an issue with the truck.


In my opinion good years in general or junk.

Quite a few people also have that belief.
These guys may also be able to
@Burla
@Hemi395
@AFMoulton
@RLK

Sent while firmly grasping my redline lubed RAM [emoji231]
 
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Ox1500Sport

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After you rotate the tires, does the vibration move? So just this one tire that has that outer wear pattern? Could be a bad tire. It happens, of course they will try to blame that your truck did it. If they claim the rim is bent Id ask to physically see the proof. I have never been a fan of Goodyear tires. I switched to Michelin's and have been quite happy.

Vibration seems to stay in the rear ... nothing felt in the steering, more of a "seat of your pants" vibration. The rear tires show the outer wear much more so that the front's.


Only one rear does that ? or both rears ? wearing down both edges like that is typically the result of running your tires under inflated.

Seems the left rear is the most prevalent. I run the pressure around 42 PSI (39 PSI is the spec)


Looks like BOTH inner and outer shoulders of the tire or wearing. Cannot see how that would be an issue with your truck if it’s inner and outer like that. I’m going with either improper inflation or a bad tire.

One side of the other only would definitely make you think there there’s an issue with the truck.


In my opinion good years in general or junk.

It seems more-so always on the left rear. What's odd is all was good on the first set of tires ... this came on only with the second set.
 

U&A

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How old are the tires?

Under warranty?

If so, call good year, complaining like you never have before. Get new tires and find a good mechanic to check out your truck.

Without being there I don’t know how much I can help.

Still sounds like a tire problem to me


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JohnnyMac

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Find a buddy with the same bolt pattern and swap wheels/tires with him then go for a ride. If the vibes are still there then it's the truck, not the wheels/tires.
 

ram1500rsm

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Vibration seems to stay in the rear ... nothing felt in the steering, more of a "seat of your pants" vibration. The rear tires show the outer wear much more so that the front's.




Seems the left rear is the most prevalent. I run the pressure around 42 PSI (39 PSI is the spec)




It seems more-so always on the left rear. What's odd is all was good on the first set of tires ... this came on only with the second set.
Do you have a lot of weight in the back of the truck ? prob more on that side where the tire is wearing down like that ? I was at shop today and they had these pictures with tire patterns and wear and the one that looked like yours had these indications as possible root cause: under inflated tire, undersized or too much load.
Hope it helps.
 
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dexter

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So ever since I replaced the OE Goodyear Wrangler's, I've had a vibration. Even after I had the new tires balanced three different times by three different shops. Eventually, I just got use to it. Now, after 26k miles on the 2nd set, I'm seeing an odd wear pattern .. particularly on the outer tread of the left rear tire. The truck tracks fine and I detect no out-of-alignment issues.

Some pictures & "data" will follow ~ but, wondering if anyone else has had this issue or may have insight on what's going on.

Facts
- 2014 Ram Crew Cab 4X4 w/ 3.92 Rear ~ approaching 60k miles
- OE Tires, Goodyear Wranglers, changed at 33k ~ went back with the Wranglers for the 2nd set. No unusual wear patterns on first set of Wranglers.
- Factory wheel weights (tire balance) were stick on's placed close to the spokes inside the rims. There were also clamp weights on the inner rim lip.
- Tire shop tried to follow the factory method with the weights, but loaded up on the stick on's much more so than the factory ~ claiming necessity. I had a vibration.
- Took to tire shop #2 for a road-force balance ... they placed stick on's centered on the inner rim. I had a vibration.
- Took to tire shop #3 and had all four tires balanced again ... stick on's placed centered on the inner rim ... vibration still there. Tire shop says I have a bad tire & sells me a new tire. Vibration still there. Tire shop then says I have a bent rim. I said the hell with it.
- 26k miles later, odd wear pattern on outer tread of left rear tire .... I rotate every 7,500 miles & run the door jamb tire pressures.

Left Rear Tire (slick outer thread):

XqeVC3Km.jpg aLuL0Mbm.jpg


Front Tire (for comparison)

8TjZDcfm.jpg


Vibration - bearing
wear - alignment
 

tron67j

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Reading through your post, you already replaced the suspect tire and still have the problem. Since it only started after replacing tire the first time and remained despite repeated balancing of tires and replacing one, it would appear the problem is suspension related. Perhaps something broke when truck was raised to replace tires, maybe something in the hub was misaligned due to taking tire off and no one is catching it. Again, replacing tire didn't fix it, you need to start looking elsewhere. And also as Ram1509rsm said, weight could be causing issue. Do you have tool boxes, etc. in back on a regular basis?
 
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Ox1500Sport

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Reading through your post, you already replaced the suspect tire and still have the problem. Since it only started after replacing tire the first time and remained despite repeated balancing of tires and replacing one, it would appear the problem is suspension related. Perhaps something broke when truck was raised to replace tires, maybe something in the hub was misaligned due to taking tire off and no one is catching it. Again, replacing tire didn't fix it, you need to start looking elsewhere. And also as Ram1509rsm said, weight could be causing issue. Do you have tool boxes, etc. in back on a regular basis?

No weight issues .... I ride fairly light. I may check the bearings; but, gah, I'm only just about to hit 60k miles.

Another reply pointed the finger at the tires themselves; and, I looked yesterday and the tire that was replaced looks decent & the other three are exhibiting this wear pattern. So maybe I did get a bad set.
 
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tron67j

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That changes my answer. If others are wearing bad and you changed nothing else, then tires could be it. May need to bite the bullet and buy a new set of 4. You can try to work with original dealer but maybe best you can do is get pro-rated amount towards new. At least try and if not save tires and run new set for same number of miles (be sure to document it all) and then go back to dealer with your original set and ask again for adjustment. If you buy from same place more likely to get satisfaction in the end. Good luck
 

U&A

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No weight issues .... I ride fairly light. I may check the bearings; but, gah, I'm only just about to hit 60k miles.

Another reply pointed the finger at the tires themselves; and, I looked yesterday and the tire that was replaced looks decent & the other three are exhibiting this wear pattern. So maybe I did get a bad set.

Try something simple

Try inflating your tires a bit more than necessary.

I’m not gonna tell you to go over the recommended psi on your tire but..[emoji16]

I worked at a tire shop for quite a few years and I also stayed at a Holiday Inn

fill The two rear tires up with a bit extra air maybe 10 more pounds and take it for a drive and see what happens.

Then lower them back down and do the same with the two front tires.


Sent while firmly grasping my redline lubed RAM [emoji231]
 

Firetruck41

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Looks like an under inflated tire, since both the inner and outer edge are equally worn down. Not sure anything else would really explain that type of wear.
 
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Ox1500Sport

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Looks like an under inflated tire, since both the inner and outer edge are equally worn down. Not sure anything else would really explain that type of wear.

I run 42PSI consistently ... door sticker says 39PSI.
 
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U&A

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I run 42PSI consistently ... door sticker says 39PSI.

Still think it is a tire problem. A good year problem

Are they at least a prorated Warranty?




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csuder99

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Reading through your post, you already replaced the suspect tire and still have the problem. Since it only started after replacing tire the first time and remained despite repeated balancing of tires and replacing one, it would appear the problem is suspension related. Perhaps something broke when truck was raised to replace tires, maybe something in the hub was misaligned due to taking tire off and no one is catching it. Again, replacing tire didn't fix it, you need to start looking elsewhere. And also as Ram1509rsm said, weight could be causing issue. Do you have tool boxes, etc. in back on a regular basis?

Agree, if rotating the tires doesn't move the vibration around it's not the wheels or tires but something with the left rear. I'd jack the left rear off the ground and slowly rotate the wheel looking for maybe a wobble or some axial play.
 

tomb

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I also suggest running more air in the rears. Crazy maybe, but do you turn right much more often than left and maybe a little fast. It is possible to go to work everyday and back home and only turn right for the majority of the drive. Start with more air.
 
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