355 Unusual Tire Wear - Help | FerrariChat
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355 Unusual Tire Wear - Help

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by JHZ328, Oct 31, 2007.

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  1. JHZ328

    JHZ328 Rookie

    Oct 4, 2006
    4
    Boston
    Full Name:
    John Z
    #1 JHZ328, Oct 31, 2007
    A buddy of mine has a 99 F355 F1 (w/ under 10K miles) with something I have never seen before. He lent the car out and it came back with both rear tires shot. I know...that' s what to expect...don't lend your Ferrari out!

    Anyhow, the wear is very unique as each rear tire has a signifcant amount of rubber missing (right down to the cord in places) on the inner most part of the tire (about the last 1/2" - 3/4"). The wear is dramatic as it doesn't fade in from the edge, but drops off like a shelf (almost 90 degrees down). It looks like each tire had something press down hard on the inner most edge and simply wear away the tread. Looking straight on at the tire you see the tire cord (inner most edge) and then almost a straight vertical wall of (1/4" -5/16") rubber that represents the thickness of the rest of the tire.

    The other unusual thing is the depth of the wear is inconsistant around the tire.It shows wear all around, but more in some areas and less in others. I had thought the car may have bottomed, but the wheel wells show no wear or others signs of contact. I cannot figure out what could cause this.

    Facts I know:

    1. This happened within 300 miles of use.
    2. The wear on both rear tires is nearly identical (front tires have light scaloping - typical of what you get with hard/higher speed turning)
    3. The car did and does track the road well and has no unusual vibrations, pulling, steering or other issues.
    4. The alignment was checked and was good.
    5. Tire pressures are ok.

    Could some type of driving abuse cause this type of problem? If so how?

    Thanks for your help!
     
  2. LetsJet

    LetsJet F1 Veteran
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    May 24, 2004
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    Mr.
    #2 LetsJet, Oct 31, 2007
    No expert, but if you had a lot of neg. camber and someone was smoking the tires you could do this without putting any miles on the car.
     
  3. mwhitesell

    mwhitesell Formula 3

    Sep 17, 2006
    1,083
    Atlanta
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    Mark
    #3 mwhitesell, Oct 31, 2007
    Yes, one word describes the problem. ---Doughnuts---

    This is why you do not lend out your car. Consider it his lesson learned.
     
  4. JHZ328

    JHZ328 Rookie

    Oct 4, 2006
    4
    Boston
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    John Z
    #4 JHZ328, Nov 1, 2007
    I thought tire spin might be an issue, but if the tires were spinning I would expect the entire surface of the rear tires to be worn, but they are not. The bulk of the rear tires surface are in pretty good shape just the inner most edge on each tire is excessively worn down.

    Thanks again!
     
  5. mwhitesell

    mwhitesell Formula 3

    Sep 17, 2006
    1,083
    Atlanta
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    #5 mwhitesell, Nov 1, 2007
    I would guess that is because the doughnut king that ruined the tires was nice enough to spin one way for a while and then switch and go the other way. It's the sideways spinning that makes the edges worn on the inside of the tire on the outside of the spin. I'm sure some of the allignment experts can explain how the angle of the rear tires makes this happen. I'm sure if you take these tires off you will find some rubber bits all over the wells.
     
  6. veryfast355

    veryfast355 Karting

    Sep 24, 2007
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    gt neck long island
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    michael c
    #6 veryfast355, Nov 1, 2007
    Who in their right mind would '' lend '' an f car out ?
     
  7. Jesstzn

    Jesstzn Rookie

    May 11, 2008
    6
    BC CanaDUH
    #7 Jesstzn, May 11, 2008
    Did you ever find a solution to this inner wear problem..

    Our 1995 355i Spider just experienced the same and there was no donuts performed.

    The engine was just out at a Ferarri dealership and prior to that no tire wear issues. Since then here is the result after 200 miles.

    [​IMG]
     
  8. rllucero

    rllucero Formula Junior

    Jul 11, 2006
    559
    Santa Fe/San Diego
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    richontravel
    #8 rllucero, May 11, 2008
    I bought my car ('98 355 F1) 7500 miles and new tires were put on the car with 7000 miles, the car today has 9400 miles and the tires still look brand new with lots of tread left.
     
  9. No Doubt

    No Doubt Seven Time F1 World Champ

    May 21, 2005
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    Mr. Sideways
    #9 No Doubt, May 11, 2008
    Can you measure the air pressure in that tire?
     
  10. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
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    #10 f355spider, May 11, 2008
    The wear described in this thread (I believe) would be considered normal if you have the factory -2 degrees negative camber setting. Many dealers and alignment shops will bring this back to -1 degree or even less to even the tire wear. Of course, this will sacrifice some handling.
     
  11. PT 328

    PT 328 F1 Rookie
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    May 1, 2005
    4,007
    #11 PT 328, May 11, 2008
    MY 328 is within normal alignment specs and I have the same wear pattern on my tires as they age. I was told I could change the camber to get a more even wear pattern but it would decrease the handling capabilities. I chose to keep it at stock specs. I noticed the problem with steering wheel shimmy at 70+ mph. I originally thought it was an out of balance tire until it was up on the rack and saw the tire wear. Bought new tires and all was good in the world again. Sometimes this wear is not normally noted unless you lay on the ground when washing your car or lift it on occasion.

    Dan
     
  12. Jesstzn

    Jesstzn Rookie

    May 11, 2008
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    #12 Jesstzn, May 11, 2008
    Not the pass. rear .. it went flat. But prior to the 125 mile trip here they were aired to spec.
     
  13. Jesstzn

    Jesstzn Rookie

    May 11, 2008
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    #13 Jesstzn, May 11, 2008

    The wearing from basically even wear prior to the work to this much inner wear in 125 miles considered normal?
     
  14. No Doubt

    No Doubt Seven Time F1 World Champ

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    #14 No Doubt, May 12, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    No!

    Ferrari tires don't wear out in 125 street miles.


    Maybe a misinflated tire at full spec negative camber could do that.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  15. mfennell70

    mfennell70 Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2003
    613
    Middletown, NJ
    #15 mfennell70, May 14, 2008
    My personal experience is that it's a pretty short trip from "that looks OK" to cord showing to a real mess when you run negative camber like that. That tire looks way past due even ignoring the cording.
     
  16. windsock

    windsock Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 29, 2006
    1,153
    #16 windsock, May 15, 2008
    We actually see this quite often on the 355 and 348. Usually caused by excessive camber and or toe out in the rear dragging the inside edges of the tires. Incorrect toe being more common. If the car is street driven suggest 1.5 deg in rear and 2mm toe in each or 4mm total toe in.
     

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