Brakes Wheels 1st Gen Tires Left rear tire has bumps on inside edge

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by davavd, Aug 28, 2011.

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  1. davavd

    davavd Club Coordinator

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    #1 davavd, Aug 28, 2011
    While rotating the tires, I found that my left rear has 19 bumps, arranged more or less evenly spaced around the tire. Another way to put it would be that there are 19 flat spots on the inside edge of the tread. What does this mean? Some suspension part wearing out? What should I look for?
     
  2. Crashton

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    #2 Crashton, Aug 28, 2011
    I'd guess balance or alignment or the possibility of both.

    How many mines on your MINI? How often do you rotate the tires?
     
  3. CHKMINI

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    #3 CHKMINI, Aug 28, 2011
    Shocks....how many miles on the shocks...that could also be the culprit.
     
  4. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #4 Crashton, Aug 28, 2011
    ^ shocking news!!! :D
     
  5. KC Jr 54

    KC Jr 54 New Member

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    #5 KC Jr 54, Aug 28, 2011
    x2 on needing shocks, especially at 93k.

    With that, i do have some "low" mileage sport suspension shock/sturts. That is, if you are not wanting to go full aftermarket with them.
     
  6. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #6 Crashton, Aug 28, 2011
    My shocks have 96K on them. I've been waiting for them to carp out, but so far they have not.:confused5: There is a set of very low mile oem shocks & struts in my garage waiting their turn on my MINI.
     
  7. CHKMINI

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    #7 CHKMINI, Aug 28, 2011
    At 67K my shocks are trash. Replaced with Koni Yellows
     
  8. ScottinBend

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    #8 ScottinBend, Aug 28, 2011
    Also check the toe.
     
  9. davavd

    davavd Club Coordinator

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    #9 davavd, Aug 28, 2011
    Crashton: Actually, just over 100K. I haven't updated my sig lately.
    Chkmini: These are the original shocks.
    Scottinbend: For a problem on the rear?

    Also, if the problem is only one rear tire, does it follow that all four shocks, assuming they are the culprit are gone? Could I just do rears and then watch the tire wear?
     
  10. ScottinBend

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    #10 ScottinBend, Aug 28, 2011
    Yes rear toe.

    And best to do all 4 dampers so the handling isn't affected adversely.
     
  11. Crashton

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    #11 Crashton, Aug 28, 2011
    If you are going to do shock 4 is the way to go as Scott said. If it was mine I'd have the alignment checked first & go from there.

    Sorry I missed the mileage in your sig.
     
  12. CHKMINI

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    #12 CHKMINI, Aug 28, 2011
    Just as Scott said...do all four.
     
  13. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    #13 Steve, Aug 28, 2011
    I wouldn't start replacing dampers until you rule out the cheaper options (balance, alignment, etc) unless you figure it's time to do that anyway. I'd like to see a pic, still trying to interpret your wording about the tire damage. Have you been feeling any vibration when driving?
     
  14. ScottinBend

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    #14 ScottinBend, Aug 29, 2011
    Sounds like he is describing feathering of the tire.
     
  15. Nathan

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    #15 Nathan, Aug 29, 2011
    Some pictures would help quite a bit.

    Being this is only on one tire I'd be suspect of the alignment.
     
  16. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    #16 Steve, Aug 29, 2011
    I know, but I don't like to assume, esp. when there's more than one possible cause and potential fix. I'm sure it's not the tire itself but I keep going back to the word "bumps" in the title...conjuring up thoughts of broken belts, etc.

    Anyway, I know there's sometimes no way to zero in on a problem without paying for one fix after another until one of them works, but I tend to start with the cheaper options and work my way up. In other words, I probably wouldn't start with new shocks...unless I was ready to replace them anyway.

    I would assume a balance issue first but since there are so many bumps/voids and they're all on one side of only one tire I suspect it's an alignment problem.
     
  17. Nathan

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    #17 Nathan, Aug 29, 2011
  18. davavd

    davavd Club Coordinator

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    #18 davavd, Aug 30, 2011
    I found the How to Read Tire Wear thing, too. Definitely looks like "cupping", at least of the choices given. They are just spaced out a lot more. Hard to see, but
    [​IMG][/IMG]
     
  19. davavd

    davavd Club Coordinator

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    #19 davavd, Aug 30, 2011
    I found the How to Read Tire Wear thing, too. Definitely looks like "cupping", at least of the choices given. They are just spaced out a lot more. Hard to see, but

    [​IMG][/IMG]

    [​IMG][/IMG]
     
  20. BThayer23

    BThayer23 Well-Known Member

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    #20 BThayer23, Aug 30, 2011
    My old BMW had issues like that on the right front tire when I bought the car. The shock was so bad it was leaking fluid. At your mileage you're probably due for new shocks anyways.

    The previous owner of my car didn't address the problem for about 20,000 miles. The bad shock and tire vibration wore out the tie rod ball joints, control arm ball joints, endlinks, and motor mounts on that side. One tire was almost bald and the other three had 50% tread left.
     
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