slightly mismatched tread depth... - Subaru Enthusiasts Car Club of the Sierras

Highdesertsuby · 2011-06-16, 02:13 PM

ok, I searched for this one and came up empty...

We just picked up a 95 Legacy wagon (believe it's an L), 2.2 with 5mt. The front tires have somewhere between 1/16 and 1/8 less tread than the rears have. We don't have the cash to buy a new set of tires just yet, so was wondering if the difference in tread thickness (and overall tire circumference) will cause any problems for the center diff? Or can I just put the two thinner ones on opposite corners (if so, which ones would be better)? All 4 tires are the same brand / type, just the two worn more.

Dean · 2011-06-16, 02:28 PM

Swap the ones with more tread to the front and wear them down. the speed differential is small enough that it should not be a problem. That is about a 1% delta in circumference, and as you corner, it will actually be less than normal slippage because the rear travels a shorter distance.

Highdesertsuby · 2011-06-16, 02:33 PM

ok, I'll try that...we have very few straight roads around here, so that should work good.

cody · 2011-06-17, 08:46 AM

It's also less of an issue at lower speeds since less heat will be generated in the center diff so try not to go 80 mph or anything like that, not that it would be a big deal.

2011-06-16, 02:13 PM	#1
Highdesertsuby EJ22 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Reno Posts: 154 Car: 1997 Subaru Impreza L Class: n/a This is going to take crackerjack timing...	slightly mismatched tread depth... ok, I searched for this one and came up empty... We just picked up a 95 Legacy wagon (believe it's an L), 2.2 with 5mt. The front tires have somewhere between 1/16 and 1/8 less tread than the rears have. We don't have the cash to buy a new set of tires just yet, so was wondering if the difference in tread thickness (and overall tire circumference) will cause any problems for the center diff? Or can I just put the two thinner ones on opposite corners (if so, which ones would be better)? All 4 tires are the same brand / type, just the two worn more.

2011-06-16, 02:28 PM	#2
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	Swap the ones with more tread to the front and wear them down. the speed differential is small enough that it should not be a problem. That is about a 1% delta in circumference, and as you corner, it will actually be less than normal slippage because the rear travels a shorter distance. __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids...

2011-06-17, 08:46 AM	#4
cody Candy Mountain Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication Posts: 7,751 Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink! Class: TESP OMG Internet!	It's also less of an issue at lower speeds since less heat will be generated in the center diff so try not to go 80 mph or anything like that, not that it would be a big deal. __________________ Slow and low, that is the tempo.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
FS: SVX wheels and snow tires, and Falken Ziex 912's w/ tons of tread	sperry	User Classifieds	22	2011-01-12 04:59 PM
Minimum tread depth for AutoX	NevadaSTi	Technical Chat	10	2005-07-15 01:22 AM

2011-06-16, 02:33 PM	#3
Highdesertsuby EJ22 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Reno Posts: 154 Car: 1997 Subaru Impreza L Class: n/a This is going to take crackerjack timing...	ok, I'll try that...we have very few straight roads around here, so that should work good.