Excessive Tire Wear - PY Online Forums

pkitchen · #1 01-04-2005, 01:23 PM

My 2004 GTO has only 7500 miles on it, but the rear tires are worn down to the wear bars! The fronts are about 30% gone. I haven't been smoking the tires either. I heard the BFG gForce tires were only good for 10-20k miles, but this is rediculous!

Have any of you experienced similar levels of wear?

pkitchen · #2 01-04-2005, 01:23 PM

My 2004 GTO has only 7500 miles on it, but the rear tires are worn down to the wear bars! The fronts are about 30% gone. I haven't been smoking the tires either. I heard the BFG gForce tires were only good for 10-20k miles, but this is rediculous!

Have any of you experienced similar levels of wear?

Mr_GTO · #3 01-04-2005, 03:37 PM

Have you checked your pressure? Or to see if the dealer removed the helper springs in the suspension?

Take it to the dealer and bitch and moan.

RandyW · #4 01-04-2005, 09:41 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR> I haven't been smoking the tires either. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Sure you haven't!!

skepecs · #5 01-05-2005, 12:54 PM

I work at a Pontiac dealership, and one problem I have found is that these tires are shipped from Australia with 60lbs in each tire. If your dealership dosn't correct this at delivery it can cause problems.

pkitchen · #6 01-06-2005, 12:58 PM

Mr_GTO,

Yes, I've checked tire pressure. What are "helper springs?"

Mr_GTO · #7 01-06-2005, 04:16 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by PK:
Mr_GTO,

Yes, I've checked tire pressure. What are "helper springs?" <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The factory installs them for shippment from Australia. Many dealers miss them when they prep the car.

A good site for your new GTO is www.ls1gto.com

red70goat · #8 01-06-2005, 04:55 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by PK:
Mr_GTO,

Yes, I've checked tire pressure. What are "helper springs?" <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Helper springs are "springs" of a sort attached to the undercarriage. They are frequently used when shipping cars overseas to lessen the up and down motion a car might experience in transit. They need to be removed upon receipt of the vehicle.

T.D.Vick · #9 01-06-2005, 06:03 PM

They're rubber spacers jammed between the front coils. They squeak like crazy when they get wet too. Mine had them left in and the tires were at 55 PSI when I picked the car up. At 7500 miles I had to rotate the tires, the rears were about 2/3 gone. No big burnouts from me either.

Meridian · #10 01-10-2005, 12:45 PM

I have noticed a squeak the last couple of days when I hit a bump. It's not loud but it's noticeable. How easy are the helper springs to spot? I need to check to make sure mine weren't left in.

T.D.Vick · #11 01-10-2005, 07:26 PM

Turn your steering wheel all the way to one side and look at the front springs. You'll see the rubber spacers in the coils. When mine were removed I also had to adjust my headlights up quite a bit. The front of the car does drop down when they're removed.

Meridian · #12 01-11-2005, 12:37 PM

I didn't see anything but I am going to take it in and have the dealship check it anyways. I checked the tire pressure and it was WAY off. All four set at 55 psi.

red70goat · #13 01-11-2005, 04:38 PM

tires @ 55 psi...helper springs left in ?Whatever happened to dealer prep. before a customer picks up their new ride? jeez!

Goathead · #14 01-13-2005, 02:06 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR> Whatever happened to dealer prep. before a customer picks up their new ride? jeez! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Dealer prep nowadays is "here are the key's". If you catch something we were supposto do, we will have an excuse when you come back to fix it right...

tnabm · #15 03-08-2005, 08:27 AM

I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE REAR TIRES.MY GTO ONLY HAS 6,000 MILES ON IT.WHAT DID YOU END UP DOING. IS SOMEBODY HELPING YOU WITH THIS.

Merdin · #16 03-17-2005, 01:17 PM

I just passed the 20K mark and my rears are complete trash. But mine are due to testosterone surges. I love driving this car!

gmonady · #17 03-18-2005, 08:00 AM

At 19,900 miles on my 2004 GTO driving 60 mph on an interstate off ramp without, my rear end shimmyed, then the car corrected itself. I only then noticed white smoke coming from the right rear. By the time I pulled over the entire tire separated from the rim.

Even though I check tire pressure every month, when the 20,000 mile make hits, I have truly appreciated the tires are unforgiving. Fortunately this car is so stable that I was able to safely navigate to the side of the road.

I also found out that Michline rated tires for the GTO DO NOT FIT as I was opting for their 40,000 mile rating. After four days of waiting for tires to be delivered, tested, and not fitting, I resolved to go back to the original Goodrich tires. So now I am contributing to my piggy bank in anticipation of the next 15,000 miles when I will have to replace them again, this time BEFORE THEY BLOW. I hope this advice saves some one from a less fortunate outcome when the tire completely peels away from the wheel.