N/S/F Tyre wear-anybody else had this problem..

[Dazzler01]

Hello , drive a 2002 A4 TDI with the AWX engine, over the last few months I have noticed that my NSF tyre has worn excessively in the middle of the tread, The inner and outer parts of the tyre is fine but the inner wears at a much faster rate, It has just passed the MOT again with flying colours 217k with no advisories, everybody says its incorrect tyre pressures but its not as I inflate them to 30 psi (checked weekly) would love to hear any thoughts on this please, both drop links replaced 18 months ago. I even queried this problem to the MOT tester who, despite looking in detail at the nearside suspension couldn't find anything amiss ?
Regards Darren

[rhencullen1989]

So is it the middle that is wearing quickly or the inner edge? I would get a proper 4 wheel alignment check done, I took my Quattro to a main Audi agent as they had a deal on at the time, I think it was 60 pounds, they can adjust back and front, mine was wearing badly on the inner edge on passenger side, since the alignment it's been fine, I do get the good old Quattro scuff on full lock but this is down to wide tyres and low profile, so not an issue!

[zollaf]

what make of tyre is fitted that is wearing in the middle. ?

[wmccann]

If you think about it logically the only things that cause the centre of the tyre to wear quicker than the outside/inside (misalignment etc would cause the outside/inside to wear first)

1) the pressure is too high for the tyre
2) Tyre is too wide for the rim (force on but causes bulging) would be very dangerous....
3) Bad tyres (are they knockoffs?

Can you post your wheel size and the tyre make, model and size you are using?

W.

[JMR1]

Just as a simple test, swop the two front wheels, and see if it makes a differance.

[Dazzler01]

Thanks for your replies everyone, the tyres are 235/45/17 bridgestone potenza,had 4 fitted at the same time but the nsf wera out quicker, the wheels fitted to the car are genuine Audi alloys that were upgraded by the first owner,17 inch as compared to 16 inch- Spoke to an Audi guy the other day and he queried the CV joint inner or outer, has anyone got any further ideas please ?

[wmccann]

Thanks for your replies everyone, the tyres are 235/45/17 bridgestone potenza,had 4 fitted at the same time but the nsf wera out quicker, the wheels fitted to the car are genuine Audi alloys that were upgraded by the first owner,17 inch as compared to 16 inch- Spoke to an Audi guy the other day and he queried the CV joint inner or outer, has anyone got any further ideas please ?

I would understand if either the outside or inside wear wearing quicker. But you said it was the centre so logically the centre part of the tyre must be bulging out to wear quicker than the sides. there is no way a damaged joint etc could cause this (fundamntal law of gasses - in this case air - is that the pressure inside the tyre will be equal) that I can see if the wheel is not aligned it would be wearing on the outside or the inside (or possible parts of both!). To bulge the pressure is either too high or you have 1 or more bad tyres (manufacturing defects that cause the bulge under pressure) or the wheels are too narrow for the tyres.

Do you know the exact audi model number of the wheels (would be surprised is they were upgraded after purchase since this is a really expensive thing to do, Audi wheels cost 5 times or more than after market ones). Take the wheel off and post any numbers on the inside of the spokes. This will allow me to check whether the tyre is too wide for the wheel (unlikely but possible).

W.

[wmccann]

Also see:

https://www.kaltire.com/whats-causing-your-uneven-tire-wear/
Tire Wear: Causes, Indicators and Remedies (http://tires.about.com/od/Tire_Safety_Maintenance/a/Irregular-Tire-Wear-Causes-Indicators-And-Remedies.htm) Extract below:
Center Rib: If the tires are worn more in the center, this is usually due to overinflation. Make sure your tire pressure is set to the manufacturer's recommended pressure rather than the pressure embossed on the tire's sidewall. The pressure on the sidewall is a maximum safe pressure, not a recommendation. (http://od/Tire_Safety_Maintenance/a/Tire-Air-Pressure-Tips-And-Tricks.htm) If pressure is not the issue, it may be that your tires are too wide for the wheels.


Here is an interesting thought: Tyre Damage - Centre Wear (http://www.tyredamage.com/content/view/86/89/) Do you drive like a madman? May answer your issue.

W.