swapping front n rear tyres?

[attila_tdi]

About 8 months ago i got some goos advice on buying new tyres from blackcircles...they are doing very well and overall quite impressed.

I noticed the fronts are wearing quicker than the rears (all 4 new)... My question is would it be alright to swap fronts for rears? So ofs for ofr and nsf for nsr?

If so does anyone know the required torque setting for the bolts (its a sport tdi)

many thanks in advance!

 

[Slimy]

Swapping fronts for rears is what is known as 'rotating your tyres', it gives them even wear and makes sure the front and rear aren't much different in terms of grip. Not only is it alright, it's usually recommended!

The only downside is that all four tyres will wear out at a similar rate, and you'll have to replace all four at the same time. But that's only a bad thing for your wallet.

As for torque settings, I use 100 lbft and never had any issues.

 

[Gooner_Mike]

When I replace the front tyres (once they have worn down), I always put the new tyres and wheels on the back of the car. The rear wheels I then put on the front, so that these tyres then get "used".
As said above, you are only replacing 2 tyres at a time (but then some would say twice as often!!!!)

 

[andycupra]

rotating is good, but not if done incorrectly.

Front wheels on a front wheel drive car will wear out quicker in 99% of cases.
So, the rears will last longer and so there is the temptation to swap front and rear when the fronts are getting low.
The thing is, if the fronts are quite worn this can prove dangerous as you would then have tyres on the front that can handle wet weather better than the rears. Its quite possible the rears would let go first when braking hard or cornering which is more dangerous than a car that tends to understeer.

So if you are going to rotate you need to do it fairly regularly.


Good advise is to:
Leave them be, and let the fronts wear down.

BEFORE they are illegal, get the fronts replaced, but put the new tyres on the rear and move the rears to the front. This way the rears will always have reasonable tread and importantly equal or more than the front.
Pros: you only need to pay out for 2 tyres at a time.
cons: you need to organise replacement of tyres twice as often, and if you use unusual tyres you may find you run two different types at some point.

Ps bear in mind that if the tyres are rotational you cannot rotate from one side to the other or diagonally.

 

[attila_tdi]

Cheers guys thats what i hoped for. The fronts are only 6 months (7k) old but noticeably more worn than the rears. I will change them asap to balance them out.

 

[Guinness]

At 7k old I wouldnt be swapping the tyres that is a noticable difference. You will have significatnly less grip at the back which cant be felt as well as on the front. For what? making sure you replace all tyres at the same time? Personally I would let the fronts wear out then put the rears on the front and put new rears on in replacment of the old fronts. Meaning the best tyres are always on the back.

There is a video somewhere of why not to rotate tyres, has that lass of 5th gear in it.

 

[attila_tdi]

Ah ok... Had a quick search and there was a mention of the fith gear episode on here http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/t/2414.aspx

says if u get 2 new tyres do not stick them on the front....i guess this makes sense.

Think i will wait till the front wear out then replace them and swap them then!

Cheers for the heads up

 

[Guinness]

No worries good find, I did a google before to know avail. You sir are a master googler.

 

[attila_tdi]

Quick update...Was under the car today to fix something else and noticed both fronts on the insides completely warn to the point of warp!!! Argh!!

They have done 7,000 miles and are completely shot. No tread left at all and then lots of tread from the middle to the outside of the tyre.

I got them from Black circles (Falken Ziex ZE-912 205/45 R16 V (87) x4 fitted for £260...

Tip I've learnt = always get tracking done on top of the purchase from blackcircles.

Never mind.

 

[andycupra]

is it lowered at all?

 

[attila_tdi]

No completely standard.

I didn't think you needed tracking done when new tyres are put on, but this is proof I guess. It's identical wear pattern both sides.

 

[Gooner_Mike]

Ibiza are set-up slightly toe-out I think. This explains the wear. They all do it.

 

[DEAN0]

Ibiza are set-up slightly toe-out I think. This explains the wear. They all do it.

Book says the toe is straight with a +/- 10 minute tollerance

I always get my tracking guy to set mine between 0 and the toe in tollerance to get best tyre life

 

[Jim H]

Swapping fronts for rears is what is known as 'rotating your tyres', it gives them even wear and makes sure the front and rear aren't much different in terms of grip. Not only is it alright, it's usually recommended!

The only downside is that all four tyres will wear out at a similar rate, and you'll have to replace all four at the same time. But that's only a bad thing for your wallet.

As for torque settings, I use 100 lbft and never had any issues.

I have always put the best tyres on the front as they put down the power (FWD), steer, and do most of the braking, the rear tyres are just coasters. The new way of thinking is to put the best on the back so the rear end does not loose grip. This only happens in rare situations, so I'm still happy with them on the front. The front tyres wear down faster, so will eventually be lower than the rears anyway. The other advantage about rotating tyres are that rubber does not have a infinite lifespan, so doing it will mean the rear ones are not left on for many years.

100lbft seams a bit high for wheel nuts. I know Skoda recommend for the Fabia 89lbft (120NM), although 80lbft is tight enough (I think that's what I do).