Tire Feather?

mikey851 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-04-07, 11:12 PM

I put some Khumo SPT's on 18's about 2-3 months ago. I went with 225/45/18. I started noticing a howling type noise, and then feeling it in the brake pedal as well. I looked and both the inside and outside edges of the tires are feathered. This is on both front tires. The back is fine. This car has 7K miles. I have 35lbs cold air pressure. What could it be?

Thanks,

Mike

GT! · #2 (**permalink**) 10-04-07, 11:16 PM

Alignment is a possibility.

-GT

fzendell · #3 (**permalink**) 10-05-07, 12:26 AM

Four Wheel Alignment is required. You also must rotate the tires. Noise will continure until the feathered edges wear off. I had the same thing with my Goodyears.

Fred

mikey851 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-05-07, 05:58 PM

Thanks, Could the car really need an alignment after 7K miles? Would the new tires and wheels have any thing to do with that?

GT! · #5 (**permalink**) 10-07-07, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikey851

Thanks, Could the car really need an alignment after 7K miles? Would the new tires and wheels have any thing to do with that?

Alignment can definitely be wrong from the factory. I had the same problem on my first set of RSAs. Dealer said it was alignment, I figure it was slightly wrong from Day 1. I later picked up a used set of 17" wheels with 1/2 worn RSAa. They are wearing perfectly. In fact I can't believe I'm still riding on them. Thought they'd be good for maybe 20-25K kms max, now up to 40K kms and counting. Perfectly even wear, no feathering at all.

-GT

mikey851 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-09-07, 08:31 PM

Well I took it to Tire Kingdom, cause I have a buddy there. They put it on the alignment rack, and it was perfect. The only thing that I question, is that they only had specs in their computer for an 06. I think it should be the same. I'm going to take it to Cadillac and see what they say. I am expecting something like, "It's the after market tires and wheels that are causing this". These Khumo's seem to get good reviews at tirerack.com. There is no way that tire pressure can do this, is there?

Thanks,

Mike

mikey851 · #7 (**permalink**) 05-21-08, 09:59 PM

Well my last post was about 8 mos. ago on the same subject. I bought some Michelin Pilot Sports after having Cadillac check alignment I just knew it had to be the $89.00 Khumo tires. WRONG! The alignment was fine, yet it still continues to feather the outside of both front tires. I spoke to one of the service writers at the dealership, and he said this is normal on the CTS, as the factory caster and camber are set up for aggressive driving? This is ridiculous. I have to rotate every 2K miles once the tires start to feather. I put the feathered tires to the rear, and it's better than on the front, but it still rides like shit until they smooth out. By that time, it's time to do it again. The only time I had a kick ass ride was when the tires are brand new. I had an 03 CTS and never had that problem. The car drove like a dream. I am so disappointed with this car, but I have to live with this for another 3 years. Anybody have any other suggestions on how to fix this? I run the recommended pressures. I really appreciate any help regarding this. I'm fed up!

Mike

FL01SS · #8 (**permalink**) 05-22-08, 12:49 PM

My issue was almost the opposite when I put on new Kumho ECSTA ASX last year. It rode like complete ass. Especially when the tires where cold. I got the lifetime alignment from Firestone & had my car in there 3 times within a month. At the initial alignment it was out a decent bit, but I expected it to be because the car had almost 40k on it. The next two times it was barely out any if at all. I checked Firestone's specs with Caddy's and there were the same. The Caddy dealer told me it was because I had 18" tires on an 04 & it was only supposed to have 17s. Kumho wouldn't respond to any of my e-mails.

Finally after about 500 miles (maybe a bit less) I realized I didn't feel or hear anything from the tires anymore. The front tires weren't feathered anymore, but the edges seemed to be significantly more worn than the rears. I know they would be a bit more worn, but I was supprised at how much of the edge was worn. So, I rotated them & the noise & vibration came back. I took it back for another alignment & it was still in spec. So I rotated them back & it rode fine again.

So it seems like they just had to get "broke in" before they rode properly. After about 4k I rotated them & had the alignment checked & it had a VERY slight vibration again for about 3 days. I've never had new tires on any other car that needed a break in period like this! I've had new tires that hummed for a few days, but never anything like this!

Monkeynator · #9 (**permalink**) 05-24-08, 12:56 PM

I have found some tires do take a while to break in, but just for the heck of it don't forget to get a good wheel/tire balance done (preferably a Hunter Road Force machine). I try to rotate the tires on all my vehicles every 3K miles, even though I don't always get a chance to take care of them.

Try varying your tire pressure to see if that helps, don't just stick to the exact recommendation. The safe tire pressure limits are a range and should be adjusted for driving style & environment.