[Demp223]

I've been seeing a lot of people having early tire wear complaints.
Many complaints specifically about rear tires cupping and edge wear across the net well between 12-15k miles. Never really looked at inside edge of my rear tires until trip to Ca to visit family and I heard odd tell tale sign of cupped tires once I got on smooth freeway and cruising at 70+.
Well after 15k my new Toyos in the rear are destroyed. Massive wear on inside edge and serious cupping. Right rear cupped so bad there are 5" long flat spots all around.
Took to dealer in Sacramento and they knew these Nissans have some bad out of spec axles and have replaced them under warranty.
They put my van on alignment rack and gave me specs. Wow.
Nissan also has a new axle part number for replacement so Nissan is aware there is an issue. As soon as I get home I'll get axle replaced and update further on new axle part number and its specs as well as requested reimbursement on worn tires.
Left tire has pic of my hand on it. Other pics are of right rear.

 

[lgtglassguy]

Hi Demp,
I just found this post as I am days away from putting some 205/55 R16 Pirelli's on one of my NV's.
We did a rotation at about 32,500 with the original tires and at 51,000 miles they're ready for a change.
A buddy got me a good deal on some AR393 Casino rims w/ the correct bolt pattern and 42mm offset.
After reading your post I'm almost hesitant.
My friend said that the Pirellis have a 91 T rating, and are 90,000 mile tires(not sure if that sounds right), I'll take his word for it.
Considering the tires alone will cost about $400/+, I would hate for them to only last for 15,000 miles.
Do you think this problem might have been specific to the fact that you replaced with other than OE tires, or are they having problems with OE as well?
Also, did the dealer say anything about the 16's (being that they're not OE engineered for the van ), screwing up your warranty?

 

[Demp223]

The tires and rims have no bearing on the issue with the axle. They are basically same size as Nissan uses on other models.
The axle is completely out of spec on camber and toe in. Several others have had exact same issue with stock tires and Nissan has new axle part number so they know there are some bad axles out there.
I would say if your rear tires weren't worn like mine then you have a good axle.
I would still get it checked on alignment machine so you know what your specs are.
If you could share those specs that would be great.
I assume less than 1* camber and zero toe in would be correct for a trailing rear solid axle.

 

[HILNDON1]

Unbelievable...I just had Nissan authorize to pay for my 2nd set of new tires for my 2015...why the you know what did they not tell me about replacing the Axel under warranty??? I just called Nissan Com again and asked them about it...they say they know nothing...called my dealer they know nothing about it and are going to check into it...so why would Nissan buy me new tires again and not fix the problem that is causing it if they know what it is...so mad....you can actually see how badly the tires sit from behind...even though they say they are in spec!!! thank-you for the information I am working on it now...I am in Southern CA ...

 

[ChevyNV200]

Unbelievable...I just had Nissan authorize to pay for my 2nd set of new tires for my 2015...why the you know what did they not tell me about replacing the Axel under warranty??? I just called Nissan Com again and asked them about it...they say they know nothing...called my dealer they know nothing about it and are going to check into it...so why would Nissan buy me new tires again and not fix the problem that is causing it if they know what it is...so mad....you can actually see how badly the tires sit from behind...even though they say they are in spec!!! thank-you for the information I am working on it now...I am in Southern CA ...

Your post is full of emotion but little technical detail.

Post up your 4 wheel alignment specs. This will help determine what the issues with your tires are and if your rear axle has a problem.

 

[HILNDON1]

I am out of town right now but will post it later...they tell me it is in spec per Nissan and has been checked by several Tire shops in the area which cannot believe were they have the specs set at....this morning I was told by my Nissan Rep...that Nissan is working with the tire Manufacturer...JK Tyre to figure out what the problem is....I will tell you that yesterday I drove mine for the first time on the FWY with it's new tires and it feels so much better hugs the road much better seems to handle the bumps and corners better too...going to document my trip to Flagstaff AZ this weekend with photos as I go...mine now has the Continental Vanco 4 Season tires on it which are the same specs as the original American Cargo which my Van tore thru 2 sets of in 16.000 miles...I will keep this updated...

 

[Demp223]

Quick update. Local dealer pretty useless in getting ahold of Nissan. FB and Twitter post to Nissan got quick response. They have looked into issue and approved new axle. Have appt at dealer to get new axle as soon as it arrives.

 

[lgtglassguy]

Alignment Results

The tires and rims have no bearing on the issue with the axle. They are basically same size as Nissan uses on other models.
The axle is completely out of spec on camber and toe in. Several others have had exact same issue with stock tires and Nissan has new axle part number so they know there are some bad axles out there.
I would say if your rear tires weren't worn like mine then you have a good axle.
I would still get it checked on alignment machine so you know what your specs are.
If you could share those specs that would be great.
I assume less than 1* camber and zero toe in would be correct for a trailing rear solid axle.

Hi Demp,
We did end up getting the Pirelli P4's in a 205/55/16.
The difference in the ride and the turns is very noticeable, in a good way.
Like you requested, I'm attaching a pic of the alignment specs & some pics of the van.
Only thing I don't like is the fact that it takes a little more rev to get it off the line now.
It's fine once it's going though.

 

[Demp223]

Excellent. I see your front tires camber is set around .6 degree and yet your rears are at basically 1.5 left and 1.7 right with practically zero toe angle. You definitely have a better axle than mine and will probably have great tire wear even though I still think the rear camber should be closer to the front specs.
Can't wait for mine to come in.

 

[Demp223]

Still waiting on axle to arrive at local dealership.

 

[Demp223]

Axle has arrived at local dealership. Appointment set for Mon to swap axles.
Let's hope this new axle is good and in spec.

 

[AJT23]

My Tires on my 2014 are already wearing down at 6k miles. I have alignment specs and will post them as soon as I get a chance.

Went to Nissan and they said it was normal tire wear.

After reading your post I feel that I am in need of axle replacement.

With a new axle, should I expect to get more mileage out of these tires?

 

[Demp223]

None of us should have abnormal tire wear; cupping, edge wear, combination such as mine, etc
Cheap tires will wear quickly and even quicker when exposed to poor alignment.

 

[Demp223]

New axle has been installed and here are new measurements. Time will tell if 1.5* of camber is still to much but this is in spec per Nissan guidelines. I'll be watching rear inside tire wear very carefully.

 

[ChevyNV200]

-1.5 degrees camber on both rear wheels is slightly excessive.
Normally -1.0 camber is the limit/compromise between cornering performance and tire wear.

How much cargo are you carrying in your van? GVW? Was the van aligned with it's regular load on-board?

After 12 000km/7500 miles, my original NV200 tires are well worn and will be replaced shortly for winter, but no abnormal wear.

 

[Demp223]

There's appx 500 total lbs in tools and supplies with racking in back. I'm 230. Well within limits.
Nissan is well aware and emails stating I still think 1.5* is excessive and will be watching for premature tire wear and they will be replacing axle again if if this issue persists. But for now the specs are more uniform. Time will tell.
In the meantime I suggest everyone who has had tire wear issues get that axle measured.

 

[Reducto]

My van has 24k miles and has a bad diagonal wear pattern on the back. First, the tech accused me of greatly overloading the vehicle, which I am not. There's maybe 500 pounds in the back. Next, he said it was because I wasn't rotating the tires. He claims I should be doing it every 7k miles and that's what is causing it.

One of the rear bearings is scraping and a shock is leaking, so those are getting replaced under warranty but he said nothing of the axle and suggested that I get new tires and alignment that I pay for. I'll have a nice talk with him when I go back tomorrow to get the bearing and shock done.

 

[nvtexas]

I took my 2015 in due to excessive wear and cupping to both rear tires. They say it was due to low tire pressure. Do you happen to know the new part number? The Nissan dealer I went to doesn't sell the nv200 and have never heard of this issue.

 

[Kauai_Jim]

Sure happy I found this thread! I have a 2014 NV200 with a portable Ham radio station in it and I've been hearing a thump, thump, thump for a while at slow speeds and vibrations at 50 mph but could never figure out what it was or where it was coming from. I thought I had loose lug nuts but that wasn't it and nothing was obvious looking into the wheel well. I decided to pull the tires and as ol Gomer Pile used to say, "SURPRISE, SURPRISE, SURPRISE! See attached pictures. Needless to say, I'll be at the dealer at zero dark 30 with a smile on my face and armed with the original posters pictures. Kauai only has 1 Nissan dealer and so far they've treated me right. I'll keep y'all posted on what happens.

Aloha Jim

 

[mdbuilder]

Wow, that is ugly. Do you ever look at your tires?

After close to a year I am at 12.5K miles and mine look normal, no adverse wear and plenty of tread...