QuestionI have a different question about the same car.
I purchased a 1998 v70 awd wagon about 1 and a half years ago, it had new michelin tires. It is my first awd car and I have a question relating to that.
I have noticed extra wear on my front right tire. I am planning on getting an alignment, but before I go was wondering if I should swap the front and back tires (rotate)? The back tires look like new, maybe 15,000 miles on them.
I have been told that with an awd car if you have excessive wear on one tire, you need to get 4 new ones, is this true? I'm sure the tire store will try to sell me 4.
Also, just last night I had a very abrupt thumping from the front right, I could feel it through the steering wheel, it actually moved the wheel back and forth in my hands. I was close to home, so I parked it and haven't used it since, could this be related to the awd sensors and the worn front tire?
Thanks you in advance for any advice!
AnswerJamie,
Since the tire is wearing more than others, either it is out of alignment or there is a worn part like ball joint or tie rod end maybe some bad "A" arm bushing. Make a note of this to the shop and have them see why there is so much wear. They can rotate the tires for you. This may also be the mystery noise you heard.
On an AWD car if all the tires are not the same size you put too much stress on the final drive and that will cause wear. Even if you have the same size tires but two different brands there will be a slight difference in tire height. The later model cars are not as much affected by tires as the first few years. So on your car all the tires should be replaced at the same time.
