Kawasaki Discussions about Kawasaki ATVs.

Wearing only one tire

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 25, 2013 | 11:52 AM
  #1  
bvolks's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Range Rover
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Default Wearing only one tire

At the beginning of this riding season the front tires on my 86 Bayou had roughly the same amount of tread. Now, roughly 4 months later, the right tire is bald while the left one has hardly worn at all. I keep them both at around 4 psi and check them regularly. It doesn't make any sense to me since it's the left tire that runs on the pavement the odd times I have to drive along the edge of the road to get to another trail and I'd expect that one to wear more than the one that spends 99% of it's time in the dirt.
I'm getting ready to replace them and I'd like to correct the problem so I don't ruin the new ones just as quickly. It has swamplites on it right now. Are they known for wearing out really fast? I'll be replacing them with a pair of mudlites.
 
Reply
Old Aug 25, 2013 | 12:09 PM
  #2  
TLC's Avatar
TLC
Extreme Pro Rider
God forbid he lets the polishing secret out!
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,805
Likes: 0
Default

Is it a full time 4x4? If so only one tire gets drive power on a limited slip front end at a time. In you case the right is your power wheel most of the time by the sound of things.
In General the tire with the least traction gets the power. The power changes back and forth during turns. If your driving straight one tire has to get the power and your prefers the right I would guess.
If your atv is 2wd then the only thing I can think of is you may need a front wheel alignment or one wheel bearing is getting bad and causing a slight wobble.
 
Reply
Old Aug 25, 2013 | 12:13 PM
  #3  
TLC's Avatar
TLC
Extreme Pro Rider
God forbid he lets the polishing secret out!
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,805
Likes: 0
Default

Ooops sorry, I just noticed you did mention it was 2wd. Check your wheel alignment for toe in or toe out.

Also check wheel bearings and A-arm and tie rod ball joints have no slop or play.
 
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2013 | 09:14 AM
  #4  
bvolks's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Range Rover
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Default

There is a bit of play in one of the bushings. I'll try to get everything tightened up before I change the tires.
Here's what they looked like on May 3rd.
Name:  May32013011_zpsf8ae71eb.jpg
Views: 38
Size:  179.2 KB

This is from yesterday.
Name:  Aug282013002_zps72948dc9.jpg
Views: 42
Size:  157.7 KB

The wear really started getting bad in the last month since my brother has been using it a lot. Coincidentally, his tires are wearing the exact same way. Could it be the way it's being driven somehow?
 
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2013 | 09:54 AM
  #5  
TLC's Avatar
TLC
Extreme Pro Rider
God forbid he lets the polishing secret out!
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,805
Likes: 0
Default

Hard to tell from the pic but the worn wheel looks toed outwards . That sure is uneven wear.
 
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2013 | 10:22 AM
  #6  
the_revern's Avatar
Trailblazer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Default

I am inclined to think your hub is shot. Jack up that sside and shake the wheel up and down. The lightly wiggle it front to back. You will see where the slop is. Then you will have a starting point
 
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2013 | 10:25 AM
  #7  
bvolks's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Range Rover
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Default

I just checked the toe in (compared to the rear wheels with a long straightedge) and it's actually toed in about 1/2". The right one is only toed in 1/8". I read there should be 1/8-1/4" toe in altogether so I'll try to fix it when I get back (and probably double check it with the long string method I read about).
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JackTheKing
Sport Quads
9
Nov 4, 2019 06:06 AM
black_thunder
ATV Videos
2
Sep 20, 2015 10:21 PM
MikeyBoyesq
ATV Racing
0
Sep 7, 2015 10:44 PM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:17 AM.