Michelin Pilots Worn Out with 6K Miles REVISED TITLE Actually 12K Miles in 3 Years

[BubbaTree]

Guess I've also got a lot to learn about posting here! Here's the correct information. Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 installed 2-8-17 at 86986 miles, and aligned at that time. Current alignment was done 1-18-2019 at 93086 miles. As of today, the mileage is 98252, so the tires have about 12K in 3 years. My concern is how much the tires have worn is 3 years and ~12K miles, if the alignment is basically solid.
Sorry about the errors and confusion. I'll never get how to post my photo's, but here's the numbers from the current alignment done January 2019: Looking only at the rears: LR camber -1.6 degrees, toe +.18 degrees. RR camber -2.0 degrees, toe +.15 degrees. Total toe +.33 degrees. As mentioned elsewhere, I drive this car like a sissy, but acknowledge driving habits can factor into this question. Bottom line, if the current specs look OK to the crowd, and I need new tires soon, I'm asking for recommendations for other than the Pilots I now have.
Thanks,
Steve

[Obioban]

Guess I've also got a lot to learn about posting here! Here's the correct information. Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 installed 2-8-17 at 86986 miles, and aligned at that time. Current alignment was done 1-18-2019 at 93086 miles. As of today, the mileage is 98252, so the tires have about 12K in 3 years. My concern is how much the tires have worn is 3 years and ~12K miles, if the alignment is basically solid.
Sorry about the errors and confusion. I'll never get how to post my photo's, but here's the numbers from the current alignment done January 2019: Looking only at the rears: LR camber -1.6 degrees, toe +.18 degrees. RR camber -2.0 degrees, toe +.15 degrees. Total toe +.33 degrees. As mentioned elsewhere, I drive this car like a sissy, but acknowledge driving habits can factor into this question. Bottom line, if the current specs look OK to the crowd, and I need new tires soon, I'm asking for recommendations for other than the Pilots I now have.
Thanks,
Steve

I don't think the problem is with the tires, if you drive like a sissy. They're a 30-40,000 mile tire, driven lightly.

[Ruley]

Have you noticed any quirks in the handling? Bad Rtabs could/can make the rear of the car feel like it sorta wanders, especially at highway speeds.

[BubbaTree]

The RTABS are poly and were installed November 2011 at 70000 miles. I replaced the FLCA about 3 months ago, and had no noticeable driving quirks at that time. FLCA had a worn ball joint.

[mrgizmo04]

Your rear toe alignment spec is ok, you could run 0 toe in front on square setup and rotate. That said, 6k miles on Michelin A/S tires - something is definitely off, they should last much longer, they are 500 wear all season rubber with 45k mile warranty. Check all bushings and ball joints.

[mrgizmo04]

Separate note - looking at your numbers you posted - toe variation of a few hundreds is ok, camber variation of several tenths - makes me question why, normally alignment shops are able to get the camber spot on, maybe 1 tenth diff right to left - yours is almost 0.5 degree. Was your car ever hit/in accident/bent frame, bent salad tongs (lower control arms), some busted/cracked bushings? I'm assuming on those tires you don't drive it too hard to actually feel if anything is loose?

[antknee]

worn RTABs for sure is causing all this.

[BubbaTree]

To my knowledge, the car was never wrecked, aside from a suv denting the front bumper a few years ago - replaced bumper cover only. I did replace the front control arms last year due to a torn ball joint boot, but the poly RTABs were installed in 2011 at 70K miles. Just remembered that I replaced the steering coupler last year; if that wasn't dead ahead straight, maybe it causes the car to track off center? I plan to lift the car this weekend and will get photos of the RTABs and tires posted. Thanks for all the input. I need to get this sorted before buying new tires.

[Obioban]

To my knowledge, the car was never wrecked, aside from a suv denting the front bumper a few years ago - replaced bumper cover only. I did replace the front control arms last year due to a torn ball joint boot, but the poly RTABs were installed in 2011 at 70K miles. Just remembered that I replaced the steering coupler last year; if that wasn't dead ahead straight, maybe it causes the car to track off center? I plan to lift the car this weekend and will get photos of the RTABs and tires posted. Thanks for all the input. I need to get this sorted before buying new tires.

What brand of front control arms did you install?

Aftermarket poly RTABs could be shot already.

What you're experiencing is not an issue with the tires.

[George Hill]

Separate note - looking at your numbers you posted - toe variation of a few hundreds is ok, camber variation of several tenths - makes me question why, normally alignment shops are able to get the camber spot on, maybe 1 tenth diff right to left - yours is almost 0.5 degree. Was your car ever hit/in accident/bent frame, bent salad tongs (lower control arms), some busted/cracked bushings? I'm assuming on those tires you don't drive it too hard to actually feel if anything is loose?

A "street car" alignment will not always have an even camber/caster setup. In a perfect world you would and roads would be flat. But because of road crown with an even alignment the car will tend to drive to the right. A common trick is to add just a little bit of pull to the left which will help the car drive straight on crowned roads, this can be achieved by variances in the camber/caster side to side.

*edit - note, this would be done to the front, just a fyi.

Maybe I missed it, but is the car lowered or had adjustable LCAs in the rear? Thats a decent amount of rear camber for a stock setup.

[BubbaTree]

The front control arms are BMW OE, don't know about the RTABs.
Maybe I need to clarify - the correct miles on those tires is a total of 11266 over a period of 38 months. The RTABs are 9 years old with ~ 28K on them. Time to replace them?

[mrgizmo04]

A "street car" alignment will not always have an even camber/caster setup. In a perfect world you would and roads would be flat. But because of road crown with an even alignment the car will tend to drive to the right. A common trick is to add just a little bit of pull to the left which will help the car drive straight on crowned roads, this can be achieved by variances in the camber/caster side to side.

*edit - note, this would be done to the front, just a fyi.

Maybe I missed it, but is the car lowered or had adjustable LCAs in the rear? Thats a decent amount of rear camber for a stock setup.

He only posted rear numbers.

[mrgizmo04]

The front control arms are BMW OE, don't know about the RTABs.
Maybe I need to clarify - the correct miles on those tires is a total of 11266 over a period of 38 months. The RTABs are 9 years old with ~ 28K on them. Time to replace them?

Probably RTABS, yes, but can you show a pic or define better what "worn" means - is it across the width of the thread that they are 3/32 or just inner edges? Also, assuming front tires were installed at same time - are those not wearing as fast, I didnt see a mention? Asking because your post only refers to the rears, but how are fronts doing in comparison. Given your driving style described, you probably dont experience power slides or wheel spin in rear to cause additional wear.

[Lip]

The front control arms are BMW OE, don't know about the RTABs.
Maybe I need to clarify - the correct miles on those tires is a total of 11266 over a period of 38 months. The RTABs are 9 years old with ~ 28K on them. Time to replace them?

I experienced the same exact thing. My RTABS were shot on my Michelin Pilot Sport 4S and it killed my rear tires. It's most likely your case. Also, your alignment can change in 12k miles if you drive on harsh roads / hit a pot hole.

[BubbaTree]

OK, guys, hopefully, here are photos of the rear tires, RTABS, and the shop's complete spec sheet. I measured both rear tires with an accurate scale, and the innermost groove depth is 3/32, outermost is 4/32. The RTABs look pretty good to my untrained eye, and I don't know the brand name. They were installed by a very reputable shop in Seattle, so I'm guessing they are quality units. If I can add anything further other than whining, let me know!
Steve