Hello,

I have a 1999 XC with 65,000 miles on the odemeter. About 3,000 miles ago, the front passenger side tire was wearing excessively on the right(outside) shoulder of the tire. I brought the car to Firestone and had the alignment check (I have a Life Time Warranty). Firestone said it corrected the alignment. I rotated the worn tire to the rear, and rotated the rear tire to the front. The tread wear on the rear tire, was uniform in comparision to the front tire it replaced. About 3,000 miles later, the front right (passenger side) tire is again wearing excessively on the right shoulder of the tire.

I brought the car back to Firestone. The checked the alignment and said it was within specs. The Firestone representative said that the uneven wear may be due to not rotating the tires enough - he recommended switching the tires from side to side, instead keeping them to one side only - only rotating the tires front and rear. I do rotate the tires, when ever I notice the front tires have less tread than the rear. I can't say I do it every 5,000 or 10,000, but I do keep an eye on it.

Has anyone had a similar problem? Thanks.

Hugh

Many modern tires are directional and should not be exchanged from one side of car to the other. There is an arrow on the outside sidewall this type of tire showing the direction of rotation.

I think the tech is pulling your leg and I would try a different shop. How can they offer a "lifetime" warranty on a job like alignment which is affected by unpredictable conditions? What impetus would they have to do a good job on a callback or claim?

If the tire is wearing on one edge it is because the wheels are not staying in alignment. Either the alignment was not done correctly, or has gone bad again, or a ball joint, strut mount, or tierod end is failing. Are there other symptoms, such as noise, pull to left or right, etc.?

If there is significant wear on a suspension part you might be able to grab the affected wheel and wiggle it back and forth (even with the car on the ground). In my case I felt play when a ball joint was bad and also when an upper strut mount was failing. This was after a shop aligned the wheels. They told me at the time there were other problems and the alignment would not stay unless fixed. On finding the play myself I decided they were honest and let them do the ball joint.

Had same issue with our 850...it was an A-arm or Control arm with bushing worn out. Get the shop to check the play in suspension parts. Although in alignment, loose parts could cause this. Good luck!
--
1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic, 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red, Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon