FCobra94

Well, we have a 00 RX 300. The car has 20K on the clock now. As early as 4K my dad started noticing that the tires were wearing uneven. Rotating the ***** out of them, they still ALL wear uneven on the outside...severly! Like the belts are starting to show while the rest of the tire is fine

So we go to the Lexus dealership we bought it from. Setting up the appointment is fine and they seem concerned and want to get everything cleared up right away, but when I get there, it's a different story...The guy says they had to check the alignment...fine by me...but he points out the only way to check it is to actually do it...bottom line is they want me to cough up $100 even if the alignment is fine...So I'm like forget this and walk...My dad gets there about 20 min. later and talks to some one else who was much nicer and we explain to him the problem and he says he'll get it taken care of. Two hours later I get a call saying the alignment is fine and the problem is under inflation and that in actuallity, the inside is wearing uneven too Yeah right! The tires are just as I described! The rest of the tire is fine while the outer 1" edge is wore out already!

Well, we obviously need new tires and instead of paying $200 more for the Dunlops again form the dealership with no road hazard, life time balancing, etc. I'm gonna get some Cross Terrains from Merchants...

The only thing is I don't want to spend $800 for new tires and have the same thing happen again...Do you guys have any idea of what could be wrong?

Sorry for the long post but I'm just trying to get to the bottom of this.

Thanks for the help!

LexRX

The only causes of abnormal tire wear that come to mind are over/under inflation and suspension alignment. If you say they are inflated properly and the suspension is aligned correctly then

Have you been using the RX to corner at high speeds?

RXKen

But it has been caused by the cheap *** Goodyear Integritys losing air with no perceptable leaks to be found, they just start losing air and soon you are driving on the shoulder of the tire.

Good news, I just ordered a set of 4 Michelin Cross Terrains from Tire Rack for $88 each!!!

235/70 SR-16 OWL's - Yes I know stock is 225, but 235's will fit and are about $50 less per tire!

LexRX

235's are $50 less, that's interesting. I would rather have the 235's - that is what I am planning on using when I change form my Goodyears.

RXKen

Yep the 235's were $88 each when I ordered them yesterday vs. the 225's which were $137 or $139 each (can't remember which).

Let me check and see if they are still on sale now that it is June.

Yep just checked:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes....ss+Terrain+SUV

Tire Rack Prices on Michelin Cross Terrains

$139 for the 225's $88 for the 235's, listed as being IN STOCK

I should start a separate thread on this.

FCobra94

Yeah, that is a very good price for those tires, but after doing a little math, I still find it cheaper to get the set from Merchant's. Think about it...yeah, they are $700 for the set out the door BUT you get FREE lifetime balancing, FREE lifetime rotation and, FREE flat repair. If you spend $50 for balancing every 5K, it really adds up...