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

[ATB88]

I don't think you can understand the condition of your RTABs from those pics, as you can't see the meat of the bushing. When my RTABs were shot, the way my mechanic demonstrated it to me was to get under the car on a lift, take a pry bar and stick it between the underbody and the trailing arm and pry. If you can easily deflect the trailing arm back and forth, your RTABs are shot (the interior of mine had completely separated from the exterior).

[BubbaTree]

I gave both RTABs that pry-check using the largest bar I can get in there with the car on floor jack stands. Basically zero movement, just what I'd imagine coming from compressing the polyurethane a minimal amount. Some suspects that have been mentioned include potholes, generally poor roads, and driver performance. I can rule out all of those based on personal knowledge. Regarding road conditions, the Seattle area roads were generally pitiful compared to my local roads. At this point, unless anything obvious and other than RTABS can be identified as the reason I got only 12K miles from these tires, I guess I'll take my lumps. When the tires are no longer roadworthy, I'll have to get into the upper and lower wishbone bushings, and maybe the 2 trailing arm ball joints. I'll find out then if I really love this car like I think I do!
Thanks to all who weighed in to help. If I can identify the cause, I'll post it at that time.

[jbfrancis3]

🤔 Based on the look of the tires and your inspection I don't think there's a single thing wrong...

The tires look good; they aren't down to the wear indicators so there is life left. They look to be wearing nicely with maybe a little bit more from the centers which can happen if you run factory pressures in my experience.

Also, RTAB limiters cut down on the wear of the bushings. Your inspection combined with mileage on the RTABs don't add up to any suggested need to replace them.

The only thing off is you may be slightly sandbagging your driving style! 🤣

[BubbaTree]

jbfrancis3, I'm going with you! Not bragging about the sissy driving, but in our senior development, even the old ladies in minivans aren't afraid of me!
Thanks to all!
Steve

[BubbaTree]

That’s not true at all. You could put economy tires on and worn rtabs will eat up your tires. Your toe is adjusted through the rtabs, therefore, when they are worn excessive play practically shreds the rear tires.

By toe being adjusted through the rtabs, do you mean that I can have good rtabs and get a bad toe setting that results in tire wear? Conversely, can I get a good toe setting even if the rtabs are good? Gotta find out when I replaced the rtabs - they are not original to the car. Thanks!

[r4dr]

By toe being adjusted through the rtabs, do you mean that I can have good rtabs and get a bad toe setting that results in tire wear? Conversely, can I get a good toe setting even if the rtabs are good? Gotta find out when I replaced the rtabs - they are not original to the car. Thanks!

Yes. Worn RTABs will result in play meaning your toe changes all the time because the bushing can't hold the toe in a static position.

If you have fresh RTABs (or better yet, a ball joint replacement) the RTAB bracket's holes are slotted to allow for rear toe adjustment. If the bushings are good and your alignment is properly done, you should have normal tire wear.

[Sharocks]

Me reading this thread:

Ya'll get more than a season out of a set of tires?

[r4dr]

I looked at the photos of his tires that he posted, I have no idea what the issue is. They are wearing exactly how they should be with -1.6* and -2* camber in the rear.

If OP lives in AZ, I assume it's warm down there. Probably wears A/S tires quicker than the PNW would.

[fattycharged]

Only thing missing in this thread is some tire wear. Not even to the bars Bubba


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