One tire wearing really fast in the middle, failing tire?

sp00ge · Mar 20, 2016

A few months ago, I rotated tires, and now within the past few weeks the one on the passenger right is wearing incredibly fast. Just in the past 100 miles or so the tread dropped 1/32.

The wear is in the central tread, which would normally indicate PSI is too high. I've checked all tires several times and they're all at 35psi.

Would this be a sign of impending tire failure? Any suspension issues would cause other wear, correct? I've worked many years in past in the tire business, but have never seen accelerated center wear on a tire with correct psi.

I'm going to have to replace the tires soon anyways, since it's below safety spec, but need to know if it's possible any other condition could cause this before dumping money on new rubber. Thanks guys!

DJMurphy · Mar 20, 2016

First thing I'd do is try another gauge, since that's a classic sign of over-inflation. Is this front or rear?

jack.allwardt · Mar 20, 2016

DJMurphy said:
First thing I'd do is try another gauge, since that's a classic sign of over-inflation. Is this front or rear?

I agree, however, I always run mine on the high side and never have had a tire wear in the middle!

sp00ge · Mar 20, 2016

DJMurphy said:
First thing I'd do is try another gauge, since that's a classic sign of over-inflation. Is this front or rear?

Yeah, I checked with two gauges (digital and straw-type) and both read the same.

Tire is on the right-rear now.

Ignatz · Mar 20, 2016

sp00ge said:
Yeah, I checked with two gauges (digital and straw-type) and both read the same.

Tire is on the right-rear now.

I'm with the others. Over-inflation seems most likely. If two tire pressure gauges concur then you can reasonably rule out over-inflation. HOWEVER(!) the tire may be at the correct pressure now, but what's to say that it always was? If the tire had been previously over-inflated and run that way for a while, it may have worn down the center when the tread was still deep enough that the unusual wear pattern didn't show. Somewhere along the way the tire pressure was corrected, but the damage was already done. Then as the remaining tread wears down evenly, the previous wear pattern gradually becomes visible. That would explain the present correct pressure and the over-inflated wear pattern. If you bought this vehicle used, there's a real good chance I'm on to something. A few years ago gas prices were higher than today, and the previous owner may used this trick to get a few more mpg. On the bright side, if he was a hyper-miler, your Patriot has probably been driven very easy.

Rotating was a smart idea. Now just watch the tire that replaced it very carefully and the problem tire too. Then again, there are people like me and jack.alwardt who normally run on the high side -- maybe all your tires were at one time over-inflated so they'll all begin to show that pattern as they wear down.

I wouldn't worry too much. If you go to your dealer or a tire shop they'll want to do an alignment, but I doubt that will make any difference. I can't think of a suspension problem that would cause a tire to wear in the center. So long as your vehicle isn't pulling to one side, I'd carry on and just keep an eye on the tire wear all around. If you choose an alignment, wait till you get your new tires (you said these were getting close). Probably a good idea to do an alignment and suspension check then anyway.

milspectees · Mar 20, 2016

The only ways a tire will wear ONLY in the middle are 1. overinflation or 2. a tire deformity. It is nothing to with alignment

sp00ge · May 26, 2016

Sorry I kind of vanished guys. A few months have passed and what seemed like center wear is now looking like center/outer wear, which is most likely an alignment issue. I'm going to have to replace the rears in a few weeks.

I've also noticed that my back end is sagging a bit (which might explain the occasional high beam flash I receive). Could it all be related? I know I have to replace my front struts, which is on my to-do list. Suspension was never my area of automotive expertise, so any advice is appreciated.

DJMurphy · May 26, 2016

A sagging rear further increases the tire camber our Patriots have, which increases tread wear. You can get replacement Moog springs for cheap compared to OEM. I just replaced my rear springs with Moogs, very positive improvement in height, ride and handling.

Ignatz · May 27, 2016

A sagging rear end will raise your front end. Even an inch is huge if you consider the projection of your headlights 500' down the road. Imagine raising the barrel of a rifle by an inch. Where's that projectile going to go? Wa-ay over the target! With a load on, your headlights will shine a foot higher -- smack in everyone's eyes. Best you can do is keep your brights on until the oncoming car sees you, so they realize you've dimmed them. Still blinding, but at least they know you're not being rude.

Any time I carry a heavy load (in any vehicle) I get flashed by oncoming drivers. I agree with DJMurphy that could also affect tire wear. Combined with normal wear and the tire's history, it looks like you have a lot of things converging.

Seems strange that you've got rear suspension problems. Do you carry a lot of heavy loads? Ignatz's rear end is still totally original -- shocks, bearings, springs -- all the way they came. I don't carry a lot of heavy loads, but from time to time I do; I'd say I'm about average.

aroundincircles · May 27, 2016

If you are up to doing your own work, I HIGHLY recommend getting a set of complete struts, springs everything, Like these:
http://amzn.to/1XVIVpA

it makes the whole process WAY easier.

sp00ge · May 30, 2016

DJMurphy said:
A sagging rear further increases the tire camber our Patriots have, which increases tread wear. You can get replacement Moog springs for cheap compared to OEM. I just replaced my rear springs with Moogs, very positive improvement in height, ride and handling.

Are these the right kind? Coil Spring Set Rear Moog 81487 | eBay

Ignatz said:
A sagging rear end will raise your front end. Even an inch is huge if you consider the projection of your headlights 500' down the road. Imagine raising the barrel of a rifle by an inch. Where's that projectile going to go? Wa-ay over the target! With a load on, your headlights will shine a foot higher -- smack in everyone's eyes. Best you can do is keep your brights on until the oncoming car sees you, so they realize you've dimmed them. Still blinding, but at least they know you're not being rude.

Any time I carry a heavy load (in any vehicle) I get flashed by oncoming drivers. I agree with DJMurphy that could also affect tire wear. Combined with normal wear and the tire's history, it looks like you have a lot of things converging.

Seems strange that you've got rear suspension problems. Do you carry a lot of heavy loads? Ignatz's rear end is still totally original -- shocks, bearings, springs -- all the way they came. I don't carry a lot of heavy loads, but from time to time I do; I'd say I'm about average.

No, I rarely even carry anything in my pat, aside from human cargo and groceries.

The wheel gap is pretty obvious between the front and back, so I know the back is lower than the front. Would blown struts up front (which is at least one thing that's obvious) have a similar effect?

aroundincircles said:
If you are up to doing your own work, I HIGHLY recommend getting a set of complete struts, springs everything, Like these:
Amazon.com: Detroit Axle - Both (2) Brand New Front Driver & Passenger Side Complete Strut & Spring Assembly - 2007-2014 Jeep Patriot 4x4 - AWD: Automotive

it makes the whole process WAY easier.

Yeah, I'm ordering these tonight: http://www.amazon.com/Detroit-Axle-...19WTAHR0?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_2&smid=A211X84PXCJNAT

I'm going to also replace the sway bar bushings while I'm at it. Anything else I should just go ahead and go? Mileage is 96k.

Thanks guys!

Ignatz · May 30, 2016

In post #7 you said your rear end was sagging and in post #11 you said you had blown struts up front. This all means you have a lot of suspension issues. My guess is the previous owner worked that Patriot pretty hard. I used to do that in my previous job -- I was using station wagons for trucks and I really racked up the miles. When I sold them a year or two old with +/-100,000 miles they still looked nice, but the suspension was seriously tired. If that was the case with yours, all bets are off on what could be causing the tire wear. Your vehicle is neither setting nor riding the way it was designed to. Good idea to take care of the struts -- that will greatly improve its handling and safety, and no doubt your tires will last longer. Good luck with those installs. Hope it all goes smoothly.

sp00ge · May 30, 2016

Ignatz said:
In post #7 you said your rear end was sagging and in post #11 you said you had blown struts up front. This all means you have a lot of suspension issues. My guess is the previous owner worked that Patriot pretty hard. I used to do that in my previous job -- I was using station wagons for trucks and I really racked up the miles. When I sold them a year or two old with +/-100,000 miles they still looked nice, but the suspension was seriously tired. If that was the case with yours, all bets are off on what could be causing the tire wear. Your vehicle is neither setting nor riding the way it was designed to. Good idea to take care of the struts -- that will greatly improve its handling and safety, and no doubt your tires will last longer. Good luck with those installs. Hope it all goes smoothly.

Yeah, the struts are leaking, at least the one on front passenger side. Back is also sagged. It's a mess all around. I just ordered the strut assemblies and rear springs. Now to price some tires and find a reputable place for an alignment.

One tire wearing really fast in the middle, failing tire?

sp00ge

DJMurphy

jack.allwardt

sp00ge

Ignatz

milspectees

sp00ge

DJMurphy

Ignatz

aroundincircles

sp00ge

Ignatz

sp00ge

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