Advice on tire condition?

[abacab]

All,

After PPIR, I noticed that 2 of my RA1s were looking like this.

Two questions:
1. Would this be considered abnormal wear (it's the outside of one tire and the inside of the other tire)?
2. More importantly, are these still safe for the track or should they be retired?

Thanks.

[dkmura]

It's hard to tell from that single photo of the tires, but the top tire has enough wear that the steel belt is poking through on the shoulder. It's not safe to run any longer and should be discarded, IMHO.

The lower tire also looks worn, but has a weird wear pattern along the shoulder. Could it be rubbing on some other part? I'd try to figure that out, before another tire gets damaged. I'd also check the entire circumference of that tire to see if there's more damage before deciding to use it again.

[95sprtcpedrvr]

You might want to check into having your camber setup with you in your car. Especially if those were your front tires.

[MHISSTC]

Mustang? Which side of the car did each one come off of.

The Fox and SN95 modified MacPherson strut design is notorious for wearing the outside edges of front tires and needs more negative camber and more caster for track use than for street use. I will also guess that the tire with the worn out outside edge came from the right side. I seem to wear out the right side front tires faster than the left side at PPIR due to the configuration of the track and the direction we run it. At Pueblo, it's the left side that takes a beating.

Have you had your front end alignment checked recently? Are all of the settings symmetrical with a half tank of gas and you in the car?

Are you running a wider tire/wheel than stock? Check for shiney spots on you K-member and your lower control arms that might indicate you are rubbing your tires at those locations. If so, steering rack limiters might be in order.

I'll add a picture or two shortly that will give you a very exaggerated view of what your car is likely doing and will show you very clearly why those areas may be wearing prematurely.

[MHISSTC]

Your tires are done for.

Here are my exagerrated examples of where the trouble lies in a Mustang suspension. I think it becomes obvious when you see the pictures.

Thanks to the photographers who were at the event to capture the action.