Lexus LX570 uneven tire wear

[mangeorge]

I've got lifetime alignment from Firestone. These 21" are starting to wear unevenly in the outer perimeter edges. See picture. Currently 20k miles on these tires and issue started occurring around 15k miles. Firestone guy says vaguely it's because these are 21" and they just wear out. I don't buy it. With periodic alignment, why is this happening?

 

[TeCKis300]

I've got lifetime alignment from Firestone. These 21" are starting to wear unevenly in the outer perimeter edges. See picture. Currently 20k miles on these tires and issue started occurring around 15k miles. Firestone guy says vaguely it's because these are 21" and they just wear out. I don't buy it. With periodic alignment, why is this happening?View attachment 3804332

What's your driving style?

Maybe some under inflation and could use some more regular pressure checks.

Any mods?

 

[Sandroad]

Makes me wonder about the accuracy of the alignment machine at that Firestone shop. Might be worth paying for an alignment and second opinion somewhere else. Do the tires have the same heavy wear on the inside edge?

 

[urinalcake]

Outside shoulder wear on regularly rotated 21" tires (more like rubber bands).

How often are tires rotated?

My feedback:
1) Lots of urban driving (read: tight turns) putting lots of stress on outside shoulders.
2) Indicates low tire pressure. Are the inside shoulders also worn similarly? If so, definitely points to low tire pressure.

Recommendations:
1) Downsize to 20" (more tire options) or 18" (even more options with far more durability) tire & wheel combo.
2) Rotate tires inside-out also, meaning dismount the tires and flip them on the wheel to put the outside
3) Try another alignment shop after installing a new set of tires. Outside wear suggests excessive toe out or positive camber.

A) What is the camber reading at "N" ride height on alignment report? As the truck goes to "H" mode, the camber on front tires moves positive putting more stress on outboard shoulders. Perhaps the front ride height sensors are a bit out of adjustment.​

B) Excessive toe-out prematurely wears outer shoulders.​

4) Try different tires. Those Dunlop Grandtrek PT3A only carry a 340 treadwear rating, which is really low. I wouldn't expect more than 20k miles lifespan under normal driving. Look for one with a 500+ rating, which is slim pickings in 21" size.

 

[04UZJ100]

Normal on LX due to lowering at highway speed. Rotate frequently.

 

[04UZJ100]

I've got lifetime alignment from Firestone. These 21" are starting to wear unevenly in the outer perimeter edges. See picture. Currently 20k miles on these tires and issue started occurring around 15k miles. Firestone guy says vaguely it's because these are 21" and they just wear out. I don't buy it. With periodic alignment, why is this happening?View attachment 3804332

Also. Pro tip. Avoid Firestone unless you want your 200 ****ed up.

 

[tbisaacs]

Normal on LX due to lowering at highway speed. Rotate frequently.

This. If your LX sees highway miles then it spends a lot of time with negative camber.

 

[TeCKis300]

Not sure I buy the AHC lowering and negative camber argument. That should result in less outer shoulder wear unless he's remounted to rotate.

If anything, this shows too much positive camber, toe-in, and underinflation. Along with harder driving.

 

[bloc]

Not sure I buy the AHC lowering and negative camber argument. That should result in less outer shoulder wear unless he's remounted to rotate.

Agreed.

Just watch an LX570 go into high mode and the positive camber pile on.

That said, not the first time I’ve seen someone post with outer edge wear on 21s. Maybe not even the second or third..

 

[umarali]

2016 lx 570, 21 inches, same issue on rear wheels outer wear. both rear wheels have same wear. i was wondering it could be due to alignment issue. Good to see that this is not isolated issue.

 

[TeCKis300]

2016 lx 570, 21 inches, same issue on rear wheels outer wear. both rear wheels have same wear. i was wondering it could be due to alignment issue. Good to see that this is not isolated issue.

The rear is statically aligned from the factory. No provisions for further alignment. Unless there's an issue here...

Under inflation and driving style will be the major factors.

 

[TheComedian]

I see this as well on my KO2‘s in the front due to the slightly positive chamber and because of the setup of my OME suspension… can be also my kinda like „active“ driving style…
Once the KO3s come to Europe I will start rotating the tires since with my actual set the point to do this was already over four years ago when I got my 200.

 

[mangeorge]

I've got lifetime alignment from Firestone. These 21" are starting to wear unevenly in the outer perimeter edges. See picture. Currently 20k miles on these tires and issue started occurring around 15k miles. Firestone guy says vaguely it's because these are 21" and they just wear out. I don't buy it. With periodic alignment, why is this happening?View attachment 3804332

Update: 1/3/2025: I went into Longo Lexus to do another alignment and front Toe measurement is materially off from what Firestone had. Lexus aligned it. See report. Comments? also, are shops certified for their alignments, meaning how do I know if it's calibrated?

 

[mangeorge]

What's your driving style?

Maybe some under inflation and could use some more regular pressure checks.

Any mods?

My driving is normal steering and speed, ie not aggressive. I rotate every 6k miles and get the Firestone alignment 2x a year. I posted an update on getting a second alignment at Longo Lexus and there was material difference on the front toe which was corrected by them. Thoughts?

 

[mangeorge]

The rear is statically aligned from the factory. No provisions for further alignment. Unless there's an issue here...

Under inflation and driving style will be the major factors.

My driving is normal steering and speed, ie not aggressive. I rotate every 6k miles and get the Firestone alignment 2x a year. I posted an update on getting a second alignment at Longo Lexus and there was material difference on the front toe which was corrected by them. Thoughts on the rear?

 

[mangeorge]

Outside shoulder wear on regularly rotated 21" tires (more like rubber bands).

How often are tires rotated?

My feedback:
1) Lots of urban driving (read: tight turns) putting lots of stress on outside shoulders.
2) Indicates low tire pressure. Are the inside shoulders also worn similarly? If so, definitely points to low tire pressure.

Recommendations:
1) Downsize to 20" (more tire options) or 18" (even more options with far more durability) tire & wheel combo.
2) Rotate tires inside-out also, meaning dismount the tires and flip them on the wheel to put the outside
3) Try another alignment shop after installing a new set of tires. Outside wear suggests excessive toe out or positive camber.

A) What is the camber reading at "N" ride height on alignment report? As the truck goes to "H" mode, the camber on front tires moves positive putting more stress on outboard shoulders. Perhaps the front ride height sensors are a bit out of adjustment.​

View attachment 3804650​

B) Excessive toe-out prematurely wears outer shoulders.​

View attachment 3804652​

4) Try different tires. Those Dunlop Grandtrek PT3A only carry a 340 treadwear rating, which is really low. I wouldn't expect more than 20k miles lifespan under normal driving. Look for one with a 500+ rating, which is slim pickings in 21" size.

Very helpful comments. Update: My driving is normal steering and speed, ie not aggressive. I rotate every 6k miles and get the Firestone alignment 2x a year. I posted an update on getting a second alignment at Longo Lexus (1/3/2025) and there was material difference on the front toe which was corrected by them. Thoughts?

 

[DanielW]

Just had to replace tires on my wife's 2017 with the 21" Dunlops. Discount Tire wouldn't replace a bad TPMS sensor because the outside was worn out below their minimum threshold. The center of the tire was still in the green zone as far as tread depth, and the outside was in the red.

 

[mangeorge]

Just had to replace tires on my wife's 2017 with the 21" Dunlops. Discount Tire wouldn't replace a bad TPMS sensor because the outside was worn out below their minimum threshold. The center of the tire was still in the green zone as far as tread depth, and the outside was in the red.

did you get an alignment?

 

[DanielW]

did you get an alignment?

Not yet. It's on the to do list.

 

[AZLX570]

So it's most likely Firestone....

Especially if you're getting an alignment twice a year, wow.