w123 - which axle wears tires faster?
 

Hi,

I have realized that my front suspension is up to par that it doesnt do funny things to my tires anymore. However, the outer edges of my tires are worn a bit funny.

I have read that MBs eat up front tires faster than rears. However, ive also heard that typically the drive axle wears tires faster due to speed differences on the drive axle when going around corners.

My tires are all the same brand and model, but due to a worn suspension are different ages, as I had to replace the tires on each axle at different times. The ones on the rear currently have more tread, and Id like to keep the tires for another 8-10k, or for the summer. So Id like to put the less worn tires on the axle that will wear them faster, so I maintain the life of the poorer set.

So, which axle on a w123 will wear tires faster?

Thanks!

JMH

Hmmm
 

If both front tires have the same outer edge wear pattern = bad alignment.
Your toe setting is off.
Have a great day.

no, it used to be a funny crooked wear pattern across some of the lugs. I only get it aligned at the dealer, and the alignment printout is OK. All is well now, I did have to change some suspension components ove rthe last 6 months. I just want to maximize the life of my tires I have on there now, by putting the older (more worn) ones on the axle that contributes less tire wear, and the newer less worn ones onto the axle that wears tires faster. Ill be replacing all four anyway, but might as well get as much life from these as I can.

outside edge tire wear is not necessarily the sign of a bad alignment problem; BMWs are designed to wear the edges ofg tires, and thus they reccomend to NOT rotate tires. Ive heard that MBs are similar in that they wear the front tires heavier than the rears.

But my question is more from a general standpoint. On a RWD car, with suspension like ours have, will the front steering axle tires wear faster, or the rear drive axle tires wear faster? Its easy to notice on FWD cars that the front tires wear faster. But I dont know if that is due to the front being the drive or steering axle, since its both.

thanks,

JMH

Thanks,

JMH

In general, all cars will wear the front tyres more than the rear, due to the increased wear due to higher lateral forces on the steering tyres.
Any differences in rotational speed are taken care of by the differential.
All of the above is nullified if wheelspin is induced (in a NA 300D Ha Ha) or excessive cornering speeds are encountered.
In this case, wear is dependant on the conditions experienced.