I know this is a long shot. Basically I just got a flat (incredibly unluckily), and I have 16000 miles on the other remaining tires. I've thought of everything I can do to make this not bad for at least only a little bad for my car, as I have very few options here. Firstly, the tire looked fine until i tried to refill it with air after it was off the car, and I discovered it leaking from between the rim and the tire at one spot. The rim looks fine, as in it's not bent. Assuming the tire's seal is damaged, is that repairable in any way? If not, does anyone out there have one used RE92 with about 50% tread left? I have a virtually brand new Pirelli P5 All season tire in 205/50/17 I'd be willing to trade you. Please bare in mind: if I had my druthers I'd be replacing all 4 tires, but this is really up to my parents more than it is me, and my father is not willing to replace all of them due to the fact that it's going to cost around $600.00 right now. Also he doesn't believe me about the AWD not liking different tires...no matter how much I tell him. He thinks I'm being ridiculous. So please don't tell me to do that, as you're wasting your time. Failing getting a closely worn replacement tire, is there any way to lessen the effect of one mismatched tire if that's my last option? Can I run it at a lesser pressure than the others or something until the time comes to replace them all? I really don't want to A) void my warranty and b) Mess up my differential but I may have no other choice. In my Forester days we would replace two tires at a time or one tire at a time, etc, and then around 70k I started getting torque binding, but my center diff never actually died. Unless it did and I just didn't know it. It's just so frustrating that I have this brand freaking new 190 dollar pirelli sitting here next to me, and according to SOA, it seems to be totally useless. Alex suggested I borrow a set of stockers with tires from someone on here....which is also an option I suppose. So, I'll post up a thread about that. Thanks for reading.
take him to ANY subaru master tech or service manager, tell then you do NOT intend to buy tires from them and then ask about replacing just one tire. have them measure the tread depth, in front of your father (after they tell you the 2/32nd tolerance) ask the tech or manager to exlplain just how much a diffferential replacement costs. if your father is not willing to play along, then fine, it seems he financed the vehicle (if he's buying your tires), so he can finance the new differential when it blows. and it will eventually.
you need one RE92A. Your car did not come with RE92's. It came with RE92A's. As long as you match one within 1/32 of its partner on the otherside, you'll be fine.
Call Kieran at Gran Turismo.... explain the situation to him. They have a tire shaver that they can use to possibly match the depth on the current tires with a new one. But seriously call them up and get an appointment I'm sure they will be able to figure out someway to help you! (770) 455-0347 PS Bring you dad along... maybe somebody at GTE can help convince him of the differential issue.
sorry to hear that bro.......but as stated before maybe yur pops needs to talk to them directly so that he can be informed.:coolugh:
So my father just called subaru and heard it straight from the horses mouth. Now we're gonna get it fixed correctly. Which unfortunately means 4 new tires, which ironically is almost cheaper than buying a new re92A and shaving it or whatever. The re92 is 220.00/tire. Rip off, anyone? We just ordered General UHPs in 205 50 17 from tire rack. I hear they're good, and I've seen a lot wrxs up on them, so they can't be too bad. Plus they're pretty reasonably priced. So hooray, I guess. In the meantime, until the tires come in I'm on a donut, and I'm looking for a place to mount and balance the new ones for a not-retarded price...anyone know a place? And may I say, what a fucking retarded way to build a car. I love my wrx, but this is just ridiculous.
How is it redicoulous? All AWD's are basically the same way. If you can't swing the maintenance of the car maybe it's best to trade it in on a non-Subaru?
Its the only awd system I've ever encountered with this stringent of a requirement. I'm definitely willing to keep up with the maintenance costs, but right now I'm not spending my own money, I'm spending my father's. If it were my money, I'd probably be more willing to bite the bullet. But, I love my suby. I know this is just one of the things that come along with owning one. It's just a little frustrating. I'm certainly excited about my new shoes, though. And thanks Nitro!
No Offense but how many times I can say call Gran Turismo East.... there is a reason they one of the best tire/alignment shops in Atlanta.
My Dad's got a longtime connection in loganville, apparently. So we're using those guys. Thanks again, Mere. I think Gran Turismo is too far from my house for me to comfortably drive on the spare, as I already have to go 30 miles home on the donut to get the tires since they're being shipped to my house (shipping must = billing address for rush shipping, apparently). Problem solved. *sigh of relief*
I guess I stand corrected. I mean this was, again, coming from my dad, who has owned an AWD lexus and a Porsche, both of which he ultimately sold with AWD systems still working well. But he's generally skeptical of such things. In any case I'll post up some thoughts on the new rubber when I have them on the car for a little while. Thanks everyone.
If the sidewall on the tire is not damaged and it just lost its seal it could simply be remounted. I would definately ask the people wherever you end up taking it about that before you buy four new ones.
Russ has anyone looked at the blown tire? You may have just broken the bead (it happens) and may not be a hole in the sidewall. And when it is your decision, go to Gran Turismo East. They are the best.
Nobody has looked at it, but I did call around, and every place I spoke to (5 different shops, independent and chains) told me that they could not repair it if the bead had been split, which was the best case scenario, apparently based on my description of the leak. The worst is that my rim is bent...does not seem to be the case, however. In any case, it was almost time for new tires anyway. The RE92s were not wearing well, and were overall not a good fit for the car, it seemed.
The system that Porsche uses does indeed have different rim diameters and tire sizes front to back...however, the way the system is set up, it must maintain that BALANCE within a certain extent...otherwise the system will always think its slipping/dragging a wheel/front wheels/rear wheels and it'll tear itself apart trying to return the system to its original state of balance. So the tire/wheel difference is built into the system on the Porsche. If you matched the same wheel/tire sizes front to back on that, you'd be in trouble. Even GM on its 'automatic' 4WD systems the stock tire configuration must be within a certain tolerance, otherwise things will tear up. The Lexus is w/out a doubt the same way. SUBARU, due to its design features and ultimate end goals, has tighter tolerances when compared to other makers in the similar price bracket. Thats why you should not have more than a total of 2/32" difference from the front rolling depth to the rear, and no more than 1/32" side to side on STi and VLSD equipped SUBARUs.
ALL WRX from 2002~2007 (unsure if 08 Mini-Tribeca has it, refer to FSM) Outbacks have them...randomly...2000~2008. Pretty sure all XT/GT/3.0R has VLSD. Some Foresters have them....some...dunno, random. All XT's do tho. The 1996~1999 Outback has VLSD as an option. 99% of them do not have VLSD tho. STi from 2004~2006 has MECHANICAL rear LSD. STi 2007 has Torsen rear LSD STi 2008 has unknown LSD like-Tribeca-mounted rear diff.
Your spending 400-600. Hey consider yourself lucky. I replaced just one of my tires when i first blew out a tire. Wow dumb on my end for not knowing about the problems i would encounter. You can see my bills if you want for the differential work. I had both diffs replaced. If you ever want to show your father my bills, let me know and you can show him. If your close to sandy plains on east piedmont i would say hit up he tires plus over there. They are so cool over there and they probably would hook you up. Speak to the guy with the white bugeye.
It seems that my misfortune has yielded quite a useful thread. Thanks for everything guys. Yes, my dad and I finally agree that 400 now is far, far better than 3-4000 in 10k miles. Will, thanks for all the info.
No it doesnt. I've done 3 oil changes and 1 tire rotation. I've made precisely $28.80 before taxes. I lose 25% to taxes...so thats 21.60 take home. Lunch costs me $6.00 on average Fuel for the day, 70 miles, averages out to 2.6 gallons used @26~27 mpg, so thats another $8.24 with 93 costing $3.17 a gallon. So I've spent $14.24 being here so far. That leaves me with $7.36 to pay bills.... Some days I only do 1 oil change...like yesterday. Thats $7.20 before taxes. Reports show its like this at most dealers across the state.
This might not be any of my business, but do you not make a salary? That just seems grossly unfair for someone with your skillset.
No, I'm 100% commission. And I agree. However, in light of the recent economy and my other job offers...I did turn in my notice to leave and they came back with a 30 hr guarantee AND a raise per hour. So I took that instead. The guarantee still does not pay the all the bills, but its better than whats happening right now, or seeing the same thing w/no guarantee and driving 160+ miles a day. Edit: being in this industry sucks. Most people are commission based. The only people who usually have 'safe' salaries or hourly pay are parts people and the people who work in the offices crunching numbers.
Damn. Sounds like you're doing well given the circumstances with the economy, though. Weaksauce, overall, though.
The new tires arrived today and 45 mins later the car was wearing them proudly. Thank you Dad. And Tire Rack. *sigh of relief* For reference, they're General Exclaim UHP 205/50/ZR17. Does anyone else on here have that brand of tire on their car? I just want to know if it's worth posting a product review on it. First impressions are great. For the money (83/piece) they seem to be amazing tires. The tread pattern is much more aggressive than then RE92, so of course there's more road noise, but not too much more. I get more feedback through the wheel than with the Bridgestones, but at the same time the ride quality is awesome. Not harsh at all. I thought it would be since the sidewalls are supposed to be stiffer. They also look good to boot. The tread is much more stout looking and it complements the wheels really well. Can't really say much more than that, as the sticker hasn't even fully worn off of the left rear yet. Also, when they removed the RE92s, i got a good look at the flat one. Sure enough, there was a pretty sexy rip in the bead about 2 inches long. Hooray. I kept them, as they honestly had plenty of tread left on them. If anyone has a home for 3 usable RE92s let me know. The other one may become a planter. Just thought I'd drop an update.