Flipping Azenis

[aMaff]

The tires I've got on the Miata now, the old Azenis RT-215 are pretty much shot on the outside shoulder, but there's plenty of tread on the rest of the tire. I know they're supposed to go a certain direction, but what is everyone's (hopefully) enlightened opinion on flipping the azenis on the rim?

TIA,

Andrew

EDIT: Posted in the racing section because I have a feeling this problem is a bit more specific to raced cars...unless you're pushing that hard on the street...in which case your name may or may not be Luke (I keed, I keed)

Pic of the tires, and if you zoom in you can kinda see how the outside shoulder's done.

 

[k-lea]

haha, you are stealing my ideas! THEIF.

 

[dmitrik4]

i wouldn't; they're not meant to be used that way. what's wrong with those shoulders? they're a little worn, but don't look too bad.

 

[k-lea]

My shoulders always get worn.

 

[aMaff]

Close up, they're pretty much gone. I guess I just need to get a new suspension cooked up so I'll have some camber to get them wearing evenly. I'm not planning on driving the car on the street TOO much. Besides to and from events, it'll see the occasional nice day drive to work. Just wanted to get some input

 

[melicha8]

They don't look bad at all. If you're that concerned I'd make them daily driver rubber since you won't use the outside edge as much and get some RT-615's

 

[aMaff]

They don't look bad at all. If you're that concerned I'd make them daily driver rubber since you won't use the outside edge as much and get some RT-615's

I plan on streeting it in race trim, just cuz I'm a firm believer of keeping the "Street" in street touring (to borrow a line from Andy Hollis), so I'm not going to have "dedicated" wheels or tires.

And as for it not being that bad, it's not bad YET, but at some point I'm going to have 3/4 of the tire w/ close to full tread left, and no outside shoulder.

EDIT: I'd also have to spend more $ to get new tires

 

[moxnix]

Flip them.
Be careful in the rain if you flip them but I had no problems with them flipped other than that.

 

[Vanimaniac]

Are you running positive camber? I'm not too familiar with Miata setups.

How 'bout this? If you want to at least keep the tires going in the same direction, instead of flipping them how about swapping to the opposite side?
Right tire over on left wheel and left tire over to the right wheel?

But judging by the picture, why am I thinking that one of your tires are already backwards? It looks like the two rear tires actually belong on the same side of the car (the right side).

And too join in on the blue tape fun....

Van

 

[k-lea]

Are you running positive camber? I'm not too familiar with Miata setups.

Either way I think he is going to rub the side walls off. I can only say this because of both of my Miata's did/do it. I've done alignments to see if there was any change, but nope. I think he is just going to have to deal.

I'm not familiar with the tires, but I'm familiar with seeing the same results on all my tires no matter what. He apparently doesn't daily drive, and I do. From what I know as of right now, it'll be the same way if he changed out tires, got another alignment, and daily drove it. Although I have gotten some Miata owners question my tread wear I have never been able to fix the issue. Now I just don't care because I use a special alignment and it's going to happen eitherway, so it seems.

 

[aMaff]

But judging by the picture, why am I thinking that one of your tires are already backwards? It looks like the two rear tires actually belong on the same side of the car (the right side).

Van

naa, that's how the Azenis are. Some jibba jabba about non symetrical tread pattern or something lol. I'm not "running" positive camber, and when you look at it, there is actually a teeny bit of negative when sitting still, but when you start that hard cornering, the tires start sliding to the outside a bit, and you go from negative to positive camber. I could probably align as much neg camber as I could and be fine, but I wanna get the new suspension in b4 I do that, if I can.

 

[Tom03es]

Yeah, rain traction will definitely be less with them flipped.

But if you're still running RT-215 tires, then aren't those things heat cycled out by now? I went through 3 sets of Azenis (2 RT-215 and 1 RT-615) and could never get them to last much more than a year.

 

[aMaff]

ya, they're old as dirt too. Hey, I got the whole setup (wheels / tires) for $400, I'm just trying to figure out a way to get them to last lol

 

[Brian MP5T]

The wear looks tolerable..

Whats the suspension setup?

 

[aMaff]

fully stock right now. And ya, for now it is tolerable, but a couple more events on them, and I'll be left w/o anything on that shoulder.

 

[Tom03es]

I finally looked at your picture- those things have PLENTY of wear left. My camber limited Saturn wears the outside shoulder really bad. Check out my RT-215 tires and how far worn the outside shoulder is:

 

[aMaff]

lol that's pretty far gone.

 

[Lt. Dan]

*using his powers of the force*

You need camber plates young padawan....... lol

Dan

 

[aMaff]

lol naa. Once I pick up a new suspension, I'll have plenty of neg camber.

 

[khaosman]

Just throw some camber bolts on there I have a pair you could buy. Then when you get coilovers or whatever, throw the bolts on the rear so you have more negative camber there! Neg camber is good!

Oh I just realized this is for your Miata. Well, whatever, offer still stands but it might sound goofy as I worded that with a P5 in mind, hehe.