I had new tyres 7 months ago about 8000 miles on the front and they have already got very close to the wear limit in the centre.

I have always kept them inflated to the recommended 31 PSI but they have worn more in the centre tread than the sides.

Theres about 3mm tread left on the outer edges, but the centres are around 1.7mm

I have now reduced the pressures to 27 psi but think its too late to prolong the life of them any more.

Wondered if anyone had similar problems with this type of wear.

Tyres are goodyear efficientgrip performance 195/50 R15 

Will attach a photo later on

What pressure gauge do you use? Foot pump ones are notoriously inaccurate.

I have this one, and would have no hesitation recommending it:

http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/product.php/97/tyre-pressure-gauge

I use a Sykes Pickavant one

 

@clarendon462 Are you using a BSI gauge like TMB illustrates? If so, then rely on it and not on the ones on public airlines; I have seen those getting "dog's abuse".

 

Alternatively, not all tyres require the car maker's recommended pressures; some need a few PSI more or less (no actual experience of Goodyear EG myself).

Thanks for the replies, always used the gauge type ones which I keep in the glovebox. Seems fairly accurate as it matches those in the petrol stations and also any others I've tested

Thinking about it, I replaced both lower ball joints when I changed the gearbox a few months ago and the tyres were fine back then with a good 3-4 mm tread over them.

Im wondering if the alignment is out as never got round to getting it done since the new ball joints.

Not sure why this would cause wear in the centre of the tyre tho.

@clarendon462 Mis-alignment tends to cause edge wear, not centre IME. That said, if you've not changed anything other than the ball joints (presume you know to just unlock the rod ends to retain their original positions) I can't see how it can be anything else.

1 minute ago, KenONeill said:

@clarendon462 Mis-alignment tends to cause edge wear, not centre IME. That said, if you've not changed anything other than the ball joints (presume you know to just unlock the rod ends to retain their original positions) I can't see how it can be anything else.

I changed the lower control arm ball joints not the track rod ends if thats what you mean.

 

5 minutes ago, clarendon462 said:

I changed the lower control arm ball joints not the track rod ends if thats what you mean.

 

I got that; that doesn't mean that the toe angle didn't change as a result of changing the lower ball joints. What I meant was that, working carefully, it is possible to remove the rod ends from the rods without changing the track angle.

what do you mean the rod ends? 

I would have thought changing the bottom ball joints would only have a slight effect on Camber, not toe. However this would only be seen (if excessive) by wear on one side of a tyre.

 

Track Rod ends are attached to rods that go to the steering rack. Changing the length of them effects toe. I can't see removing and re-fitting would make a difference as they are aligned by the taper.

Maybe I'm just an enthusiastic DIYer, but, if it is only even tyre central area wear you are experiencing, then it can only be down to pressures being too high, no magic there.

 

Maybe eat a lot more to save the next set of tyres?

 

Edit:- Or, empty the concrete blocks out of the boot, this will also improve performance and MPG!

 

Sorry.

Edited 16 May, 20179 yr by rum4mo

Thats my theory, I think im going to reduce the pressures a bit more so they are slightly under inflated, not dangerously just enough to wear the outer edges a bit

17 hours ago, clarendon462 said:

what do you mean the (track) rod ends? 

 

I know what they are but don't see how that is relavent to this when I haven't touched them.

19 hours ago, Jim H said:

I would have thought changing the bottom ball joints would only have a slight effect on Camber, not toe. However this would only be seen (if excessive) by wear on one side of a tyre.

 

Track Rod ends are attached to rods that go to the steering rack. Changing the length of them effects toe. I can't see removing and re-fitting would make a difference as they are aligned by the taper.

they havent been touched since the tracking was last done.