Can you swap tires around (in/out?)

[DeepDan]

I searched the forum for an answer to this question and didnt see one so here goes. 87 Chevy V10, got 32 inch Winston Winner LT's on it. Whitewall facing out on the tires. The front tires are starting to wear a little on the outside edge. I've already rotated front to back once. I'm wondering if I can take the tires off, put them back on with the whitewall facing in, and swap sides of the truck so they'll be spinning the same direction they are in their current locations. What do ya think? In my mind, this would make the tires last longer since it would give and un-worn shoulder to the outside...

Dan

[leolkfrm]

once ran on the road it is not a good idea to turn the tire, I would be better to find a good alignment shop and have the truck checked. sounds like a toe adjustment or tie rod end problem

[bradrhale]

once a tire starts wearing like that, she will continue to wear unevenly. doesnt matter if you turn in around or inside out, she will still wear down prematurely. best thing you can do is to have an alignment done and replace those 2 tires before the other 2 wear and you replace all four.

[gmctrucks]

I agree with Leo I have heard the same thing about switching tire rotation will cause a tire to go out of round but I have also heard that the newer tires it doesn't matter but I wouldn't chance it.

[lukasmcdukas]

i agree with brad and leo... about the newer tires: depending on the tread pattern and wear characteristics, flippin the tire around like you say can cause some strange vibrations, pulling to one side, and even blowouts. i did it on my old toyota, i do not recommend it. most tires nowadays are designed to spin in one direction (Aquatred, for example). put on right, they give you great wet weather traction. put em on wrong and you might as well be driving on slicks- when the tires are run the wrong way. the water channels will actually trap water and push it in front of the tire, instead of directing it away from the contact patch. this will essentially cause you to hydroplane very easily at normal highway speeds. i suggest getting a full alignment done and replacing the uneven tires.

[lukasmcdukas]

oh, also- flipping the tires can cause a 'ridge' to form (high point caused by the angle of wear) which severely reduces the weight distribution (and tractive effort) of your tire's contact patch. think of it as effectively making your tire narrower. less surface area=smaller normal force=less friction=less grip.

[k20_chevy]

You can put the white wall out or black wall when they first go on but like the others said after the fact it probably won't work out well.

[DeepDan]

Kind of what I thought. Thanks for the opinions.

[gmctrucks]

Originally Posted by lukasmcdukas

i agree with brad and leo... about the newer tires: depending on the tread pattern and wear characteristics, flippin the tire around like you say can cause some strange vibrations, pulling to one side, and even blowouts. i did it on my old toyota, i do not recommend it. most tires nowadays are designed to spin in one direction (Aquatred, for example). put on right, they give you great wet weather traction. put em on wrong and you might as well be driving on slicks- when the tires are run the wrong way. the water channels will actually trap water and push it in front of the tire, instead of directing it away from the contact patch. this will essentially cause you to hydroplane very easily at normal highway speeds. i suggest getting a full alignment done and replacing the uneven tires.

Lukas you agreed with Leo & Brad what about with me come on buddy spread the love. LOL
Be cool!

[og25]

unless you have a tire changer and balance machine it's going to cost you 20-25$ a tire to do the switch. i'd just get it aligned. i was a front end guy in another life and changing the direction of rotation on a tire was a big no-no, i am told it does not matter on new tires now a days. to sum up, i agree with everyone else. including GMCTRUCKS! i hope that helps gmc!