Tire alignment issue?
 

I recently bought new tires (SO3s which I really like a lot) and think I might need an alignment. Plan to do that actually in any case, I am sure it wouldn't hurt.

But, the thing that makes me think I need it is that the car's back end seems to sway a little at higher speeds. Could that be an alignment issue? What do you think? Anyone?

Also, on one of the rear tires I noticed some "scrubbing." Not sure if that is the proper term to describe that, but on one part of the tire, the rubber looked a little abraded one day, i.e., not smooth on one part of the tire. What would cause that?

Thanks for any feedback, much appreciated.

Chages in tires are usually due to excessive wear (seem a bit too early for your S03s) or an abnormality. Soft tires are made of multiple rubber-compounds each of unique chemical properties. If you noticed on your previous tires, as they aged, they tended to lighten in color and take on a "gritty" look. This is basically getting into a "new" chemical layer. But again, this sounds way to early for your tires starting a chemical breakdown. I would take them back to the tire dealer.

How is the performance (and ride and noise) of the SO3?

SO3s
 

I like the ride, the road noise is fine and they seem to perform well. I guess I will go back to where I bought them and raise the issue with them. Perhaps one or two of the tires are abnormal (out of round perhaps?) as you say.

Not many miles on them yet, perhaps 2500 miles since I got them.

Alignment & tires: continued
 

Well, I have been so busy at work that I have not yet been able to do anything about going back to the tire dealer, nor have I had the time to look into getting the alignment done.

So, now I have about 3000 miles on these new tires. I am noticing that when I run my fingers over the front tires they have a very smooth surface, which is what I would expect. However, when I do that on the back ones, the surfaces on those feel rough and abraded, not smooth at all. Like they are being scuffed somehow.

So what the hell is that about? Tire abnormality or something else? Your thoughts on this would be much appreciated.

You need to slow down - have you been tracking your car;)

You are going to have to have an alignment shop take a look. Jeff

Is the rear tire wear directional, i.e, near one side of the tire, or all across the tread width?

Also, do you notice any texture change in the rubber? For example, is it looking grainy or gritty?

Reply to Tool Pants
 

Not tracking, just normal driving.

When I posted this same question over at PPBB, the responses I got seemed to point to the need for an alignment job.

Yeah, I have to get this looked at next week.

Reply to ehljags
 

It is all across the tread width. I don't know if it LOOKS grainy or gritty, but it sure feels rough.

I guess I should take a closeup shot of this and post that.

Bottom line to me -- It still sounds like an alignment issue. If was a tire defect, I would only suspect it to be on one tire, not both.

Keep us posted! I am tire shopping in the next couple of weeks.....

Alignment
 

Yeah, with it being on both tires that does make sense then. Thanks for the feedback!

Just curious, is four wheel alignment on the Boxster something that needs to be done?? I have always had my other Porsche four wheel aligned and it has made a huge change in the tracking of the cars.
Craig in LO

Yes, 4-wheel alignment is necesssary. REcommended every tire change, which, tends to be fairly frequent!!!