Premature front tire wear on RT4WD

ricefighterricefighter Wagonist
in Engine & Drivetrain
hello everyone. i need pick your brains regarding my 88rt4wd front tires.

it wears prematurely.

im running 205/50 R15 on both front and rears. the car shakes at around 70 mph and its not due to tire balance. i know how unbalance tires shakes. after the front tires were cooked, i replace them with 195/50 R15. i thought that the front tires spins a little more faster than the rear. i observed that the fronts are wearing prematurely again. i thought that my viscous coupler is locked as if i have a straight drive shaft all the to the rear pumpkin. i though that the VC is supposed to act as some sort of a center diff.

i am really in need of your ideas. thank you very much.


wagon.................4ever................

Comments

  • JakerJaker familEE
    I can't say for sure that your VC is toast or not, but 195/50-15 on the front and 205/50-15 in the back is a recipe for continual VC activation. The front tires are trying to turn 3.5% faster than the rears due to the difference in diameter when the actual gearing allows the fronts to turn 0.12% faster than the rears before the VC locks up. I'd be really surprised if your VC is still working.
  • ricefighterricefighter Wagonist
    thanks jaker for the reply.

    how do i know or test my VC is still good or not. i will disengage my 4wd drive for now coz im killing the fronts so quickly. i need to study on how this is happenning. but if you have other ideas pease let me know.

    thanks again.



    wagon...........................4ever........................
  • White&NerdyWhite&Nerdy Senior Wagonist
    Did the shaking go away when you changed front tires? Jaker is right, you need the same size tire all around due to the 4wd. Did you try rotating your tires front to rear? The rear is not quite as sensitive to being out of balance, or out of round for that matter. If you flat spotted your front tires, that could definitely lead to vibration. Been there, done that (on other cars I was racing).

    Anyway, the first thing I would've done is just rotate the tires and see if that helps. But definitely get the same size on all four corners.
  • ricefighterricefighter Wagonist
    thanks for the reply White

    when i was running all 205/50 R15 thats when there was a shake. when the fronts are 195/50 R15 i didnt notice anyshakes but theres still that premature wear. the wear is even across the threads on both wheels.

    thanks again.


    wagon.........................4ever.........................
  • ricefighterricefighter Wagonist
    just had my alignment today. maybe this will correct the premature wear. ill observe if this has corrected the issue.



    wagon...............4ever......................
  • shenrieshenrie Council Member
    Definatly dont wanna run different sized tries between front and back with any kind of awd vehicle. Youll ruin stuff quick. Whoever sold you those tires should have known that.
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