About a month ago, I noticed a vibration coming from the right side of the MINI at highway speeds. I had it in for an unrelated service and a state inspection. Because both the RF & RR tires were worn below the wear bars (if my bad memory serves me right), it failed the inspection. The other side passed, but not by a whole lot (sorry, can't remember measurements). These were the original 15" Conti ContactPros that came on my MINI about a year / 20,000 miles ago. I've been fairly diligent on rotations (front to back and vice-versa) and checking tire pressure, running the recommended 33 PSI. My driving is 'spirited' but not aggressive. The dealer found nothing else wrong with the MINI that would explain the differential wear of the right side only.

Since the dealer wanted too much to set me up with a new pair of tires, I went to the tire shop down the road for ~$100 cheaper. They're a regional chain, with dozens of stores throughout the area. They mounted the new tires on the front; put the formerly left-side tires on the rear, and suggested that I replace those in the early fall. They also suggested a 'modified X' rotation pattern instead of just swappping from front to back. They too said they didn't see anything that needed attention or would explain the right side wearing differently than the left, including the alignment. After they got me on the road, the vibration I previously experienced was gone and life was smooth in the MINI once again (pure bliss )

I'm guessing I've put several hundred miles on the new tires and just yesterday I noticed the faintest vibration coming from the right side again. Just to be safe, I retorqued the lugs on all the tires. I'm embarassed to say that for several reasons, the MINI hadn't been washed since the tires were replaced. Washing it last night, I noticed the RF wheel did not have a wheel weight. I can't swear to it, but I think all of them had a clip-on weight when I left the tire store a few weeks ago. Last night, only three of the four had weights. I haven't driven it yet since retorqueing the lugs.

So I guess I have a few questions. First, any thoughts on the strange wear pattern on the last set of tires? Second, would it make any sense to NOT have a wheel weight on that RF tire, and could that be why I'm starting to feel a vibration again? (The former set had weights all around.) Is it possible to lose a clip-on wheel weight? I am going to one of the tire stores tomorrow to have the tires checked and balanced if need be, but would still appreciate any input. --Thanks.

 

1) what rims are you running ? I ask because on the MINI alloy rims they should be using stick on weights on the inside surface of the rim. If you are running steel rims with weights on the outside, then they just probably forgot to balance that side and as the tire wears down the vibration will become more prominent....try swapping that tire to the back and see what happens to the vibration, if it moves to the back then you know it's the rim/tire...

BTW - NEVER CRISS CROSS ROTATE THESE TIRES ..........who ever said that is a dunce, I would not bother talking to that person any more they have issues I woun't go into here......

2) Right sides tires always wear more than left side...because we naturally take more right turns when driving.....so it's nothing to worry about unless you front control arm bushings are shot. And in that case, the right side CAB's almost always go first for same reason stated above.....

 

Thanks. They are the alloy wheels. I'll ask them at the tire store today about swapping the clip-on weights for stick-on weights.

I have read about not cross rotating and wasn't inclined to go that direction but was puzzled about the wear on the right side. That isn't something I've heard of before (though the tires rep did mention that the right side actually usually wears faster).

 

Look for an arrow on the tire. If it is a directional tire you are not supposed to run it bacwards. The tread can seperate and give you real problems.
Go back to the people that installed your tires. They should rebalance the tire for you at no charge.

 

So Ted what tires did you end up getting?? I don't think you mentioned that.

 

Holy mis-information batman!!!

To the op, it in entirely possible that the r/f wheel did not require an outside wheel weight. It is also possible that the weight fell off. Either way, most tire stores give lifetime balance warrantys, so I would just go back and say I've got a vibration at XXmph, could you check it out for me and go from there.

gray raven-You can't just "forget" to balance half a tire. When a tire is spin balanced, the computer tells you how much weight per side you need to install. You hammer (or stick) on that kind of weight, spin it again, and it should read zero. Tire is balanced. It is entirely possible for a tire/wheel combination to be perfectly in balance, requiring no weight at all, or just need weight on the inside or outside.

Also, why can't you cross rotate tires? Who ever said that is a dunce and should sit in a corner. Seriously, I want to hear your explaination as to why you "can't." While you are thinking of a good answer I will will explain why you should (when possible). Disclaimer: You can't cross rotate directional tires or tires that are different sizes, and I'll get into that later. When you cross rotate tires, you allow for the tire to spin backward and allow for the tire to wear nice and even and it will eliminate feathering due to being on a non-drive axle.

ronnie948-Wow, seriously? Where did you hear that running a directional tire backward will cause it to separate? The only thing that will happen if a directional tire is run backward is that the wet traction levels will be reduced, due to the water not being evacuated efficiently.

Back to the only times you shouldn't cross rotate: Directional tires are designed to whisk away water efficiently when spinning in one direction only. Staggered fitments usually have directional tires, so you can't rotate them at all, but if you have symmetric or asymmetric tires, you can swap them side to side if you want.

 

This was an issue for old bias ply tires, not the case for radials.
Agreed the only detriment is in when its wet out, and your tire needs to evacuate water.

Alex