Front tire life?

[FED 387]

buy a new set every spring run them the entire season leave them on over the off season so you can roll the car around and put the new tires on in the spring-- part of the cost of racing--if you are not doing 130 MPH brake jams they should last a while like anything else you abuse them they will wear out FAST--FED 387

[Tom O]

Hey George, your thread got me thinking, I put on a new set of 28's in Jan of 2020 before I left Taxachusetts. Currently have 157 runs on them, one is just about done & the other isn't far behind. I'll shoot for 200, but probably sooner. I'm guilty of cornering too fast. lol.

[Jim Caughlin]

So far, no one has mentioned that front end alignment is a big factor in tire wear. I can tell you that I regularly have race cars in my shop that make a significant scrapping noise when being pushed across the concrete floor which indicates they certainly are not in alignment. I also regularly see 'peeling' on front tires which is another indication of improper alignment. Lastly, lots of cars have bump steer issues which are causing premature wear. I wouldn't be so quick to blame the manufacturers. Quite honestly, I usually am changing front tires because of their age long before the tread wears down.

[curtis reed]

Is it the weight or the alignment that causes you guys to wear out tires so fast? Or I guess the two together? I have 261 passes on my fronts and don't look to be anywhere near worn out. I am really light but I do have a lot of caster in mine and 3/16" toe in.

[Adger Smith]

I'm wondering about front tire "Age"
I parked my SS/ Gen 3 Camaro in 2010
The M/T's were bought in 2002
They are in the car and the car is on jack stands
in a "no window" race car shop that is climate controlled.
There is a set of Goodyear "26" in fronts that are stacked flat & on rims in the corner of the shop. They were bought new in 1998 and have never been used.
Neither set of tires are showing sidewall cracks or any distress.
Is a Race car tires life similar to trailer tire life?
Should I pitch them and start over or air them up and go...??

[Gmirza]

Adger that is a very good question. I’m sure the tire manufacturers would tell you their junk. I would think if they’re not dry rotted and held air ok they should be fine. I don’t think comparing them to a trailer tire is a fair comparison. Trailer tires are subject to all kinds of forces on the sidewalls.
I just receive my new MT 27.5’s. The tread depth is .090”-.100”, appears to be more than the Hoosiers, but I never have measured them.

[Adger Smith]

George, Thanks for the thoughts
We have Red River Army Depot near my home in Texarkana.
They have THE tire and track rubber shop for all the us military.
They do the tire & track Maintenance for every tire and track vehicle our Govt owns.
One of my racing buddies has worked there quite a few years.
He tells me the Govt. has a 3 year limit on tires. They are replaced every three years no matter what. It doesn't matter if they were sitting in storage 3 years or on the battlefield 3 years.
Must be one of those DOT "one rule fits all" mandates or the tire industry lobby is real strong.
I'm probably going do like our Govt. and support the tire industry.

[340Cuda]

Originally Posted by Adger Smith

I'm wondering about front tire "Age"

Should I pitch them and start over or air them up and go...??

Adger,

I would pitch them!

Bill

[Adger Smith]

Duane,
Could be right about not done across the board.
The trailer could have been sitting in surplus for years and years.
Check out the auctions for Tires on govt. Liquidation.
Wish I could sell some expensive toilet seats to them..lol
At RRAD they have acres and acres of vehicles just sitting in surplus.
There is contract rebuilder across the street from my shop. It is interesting to see what goes in and out of there.
In 1987 I bought a crank grinder that had been declared surplus and come off a ship in1963. Back then it was DLA. & I believe the Clintons have a hand in Govt. Liquidation. I'm set up with them and buy once fired brass.
I stock 762/308, 9MM & 300 Win Mag

Thought: 3 year rule props up tire Manufacturers with Govt contracts??
Thanks for the input. I'm not going to chance it...New tires for my comeback year next year.

[Chevy55]

Originally Posted by Adger Smith

I'm wondering about front tire "Age"
I parked my SS/ Gen 3 Camaro in 2010
The M/T's were bought in 2002
They are in the car and the car is on jack stands
in a "no window" race car shop that is climate controlled.
There is a set of Goodyear "26" in fronts that are stacked flat & on rims in the corner of the shop. They were bought new in 1998 and have never been used.
Neither set of tires are showing sidewall cracks or any distress.
Is a Race car tires life similar to trailer tire life?
Should I pitch them and start over or air them up and go...??

Rubber has a shelf life, if you get a vibration the first thing I would change is the tires.