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Old 05-14-2009, 01:38 PM   #1
Blaze-65
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Default Replacing just two tires due to puncture.

I purchased Hankook ventus RS-2's back in february and I just found out last night one of them has a wooden staple in it where the sidewall and tread meet on the inside of the tire. I've looked everywhere local and hankook has discontinued the tire so I have to order online. I was considering buying two new tires to replace as a pair but the tire shops I went to said I shouldn't because the ventus has 6/32 tread on it and if I get new tires they will be staggered and ruin my transmission. Can anyone tell me if this is true or not? I know running staggered wheels and tires can do this if they are different sizes. I'm just trying to buy the exact same size tire though. I don't want to mess up my transmission, I'm a cautious WRX owner because I always hear about our transmissions breaking.

Car is an 04 WRX sedan
Tires are 245-40-17 Hankook RS-2's
Wheels are 17x8 +48 enkei nt03+m's

Also, my personal friend who works for a tire shop says I should just get one tire since they are so new and the insides actually have very little (if any) wear. I autox on these tires also and they do have two events on them. It only wears on the outside though since I have no camber adjustment at this time.

So should I just buy one tire? Will buying two new rear tires mess up my transmission?
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Old 05-14-2009, 02:15 PM   #2
BeatLA
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See if Tirerack has the tire you need. You can order one and they will shave it to your current tread depth.

This topic has been well covered here, and the consensus is to either replace all 4 tires, or shave your one tire to match. It's just as bad to replace 2 tires as it is 1. All 4 need to be the same tire, same tread depth, or you'll mess with your differentials.
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Old 05-14-2009, 02:16 PM   #3
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4 tires.

unless it litterally had less than 1000 miles with no signs of wear. aka 31/32's you might be able to get away with it.
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Old 05-14-2009, 02:54 PM   #4
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IF IF the tires are the same exact type and size, you are clear for up to 2/32 of tread difference. This is not much, but it is more than 1000 miles of wear on most tires.
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Old 05-14-2009, 03:02 PM   #5
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RS2's, IIRC, have 8/32's new, so you are at the limit. It looked like Tirerack has some as well.
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Old 05-14-2009, 03:03 PM   #6
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I wasn't aware tire rack could shave on all tires, I'll call them later and check out what they say. That may be the better option at this point because it's a waste to me to lose 3 perfectly good tires.

I do know that tire rack sells this tire on there website.
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Old 05-14-2009, 03:04 PM   #7
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IMHO, if you're getting the exact same tire/size and you've accurately measured the others are no more than 2/32 worn, you're fine.

2/32 is not much. Most people in this situation have worn more than 2/32.
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Old 05-14-2009, 05:00 PM   #8
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Well, I'm going to see what tire rack says they come stock if they are 8/32's I might be alright. The measurements were also taken from the outside of the wheel where the most wear has been. I discovered the problem last night when some ground controls were installed on my car, so I should be running more camber now which should even the wear out across the whole tire. I'll post a pic of the tires up tomorrow so you can see what I'm talking about. The tires don't even have two oil changes under them so it's driven about 6,000 miles, with two autox events. If anything it would be great if tire rack could shave them. I'll call them on my lunch today.
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Old 05-14-2009, 05:29 PM   #9
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i'm in a similar situation, on a used set of wheels i bought... i need to replace some of the tires, dont really want to replace a whole set, i'm curious about what the circumference tolerance is for most subarus?... mine is a 99 legacy gt which i believe has open front and rear diff and a limited slip center dif...
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Old 05-14-2009, 05:36 PM   #10
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I'd imagine it's the same spec which says that all must be within 3/32 of each other. Note if you're not getting the exact same tire, the tolerance is even less to non-existant. Different tires bend in different ways and interpret the sizing numbers differently.
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Old 05-14-2009, 05:41 PM   #11
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Search for the word "replace" in the subject for Tire & Wheel forums. You will find approximately 1 bazillion threads on this exact topic.

Last edited by LorenzoS; 05-15-2009 at 12:22 PM.
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Old 05-14-2009, 06:35 PM   #12
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i measured and i have 75 7/8" to 76" circumference on the 3 tires, and the 4th (which looks to be much newer than the others) measures out at 76 1/4" circumference
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Old 05-14-2009, 08:33 PM   #13
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Ok well I talked to tire rack and ordered a new tire. The hankook RS-2 comes molded at 8/32, so 6/32 is in the safe zone of 2/32 that I was explained by both tirerack and discount tire. So I should be safe, but in case anyone is wondering tirerack will offer to shave your tires for $25. With the new ground control suspension I also expect my wear to even out also because like I mentioned the insides of my tires are new looking. Only issue i'm left wondering is whether to run autox on the bad tire this sunday. I have my stock wheels and tires. So if need be i could limp it home, but i would hate to destroy my transmission on the ride home.
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Old 05-15-2009, 10:11 AM   #14
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No matter what awd always 4 tires. You don't want odd wear or poor tread patterns.
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Old 05-15-2009, 12:51 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by energy0uth View Post
No matter what awd always 4 tires. You don't want odd wear or poor tread patterns.
....there are exceptions and other alternatives (you obviously missed).
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Old 05-15-2009, 12:57 PM   #16
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The general rule of thumb for tread depth difference on an AWD car is the tread depth difference needs to be less than 4/32"
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Old 05-15-2009, 03:44 PM   #17
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which means my 3/8-1/2 circumference difference would probably have been within that 4/32" tread depth spec....
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Old 05-15-2009, 05:01 PM   #18
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Measuring it by circumference is not ideal. it can be difficult to be that accurate. You need to get a tire tread depth measuring device and measure it at the exact same spot on all tires. The deepest spot you can find but make sure it's the same spot on all 4. If you want to be extra safe about it, measure various spots on the tire and compare them against the same spots on the others picking out the worst difference.

2/32 of depth should be fine
3/32 is borderline
4/32 is out of spec
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Old 06-19-2009, 05:26 PM   #19
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I am in the predicament where I am considering replacing just two tires due to one front tire having a sidewall bulge from a pothole impact. Having read Luke's rule of thumb, what is the risk that I could run into trouble by deviating from it?

My current Continental ContiExtremeContact tires have about 18,000 miles on them. Center tread depth on the front and back tires measure about 5/32 or 6/32 remaining. Any advice?
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Old 06-19-2009, 05:42 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DatboyB View Post
I am in the predicament where I am considering replacing just two tires due to one front tire having a sidewall bulge from a pothole impact. Having read Luke's rule of thumb, what is the risk that I could run into trouble by deviating from it?
....potential failure of the differential(s). I thought that was covered already?
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Old 06-19-2009, 05:45 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DatboyB View Post
I am in the predicament where I am considering replacing just two tires due to one front tire having a sidewall bulge from a pothole impact. Having read Luke's rule of thumb, what is the risk that I could run into trouble by deviating from it?

My current Continental ContiExtremeContact tires have about 18,000 miles on them. Center tread depth on the front and back tires measure about 5/32 or 6/32 remaining. Any advice?
I believe those tires are 11/32 new. You are well out of spec and should either shave the replacement tires or replace all of your tires. Since those tires are all seasons and generally snow capability starts to reduce below 6/32 of depth anyway, I'd say easy choice to junk em all.
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