I looked around on the internet and didn't come up with a definitive answer so my question is I have an 03 with stock rims and run stock size tires, the right one wears a lot faster than the left and currently I have an almost new right rear tire and will be replacing the left rear tire soon. I was thinking it would make sense when I get the new left tire to put that on the right rear and put the existing right rear tire on the left to make the wear more even. Maybe I'm overthinking it but I was wondering if the right rear tire would have to be remounted on the rim to go on the left. The tires are Firestone Firehawk Indy's. Also planning 4 wheel alignment.

 

Just switch them over, no need to remove the tire, just move wheels from right to left. Make sure the tires aren't directional, but otherwise no problem with switching them.

If one side is wearing faster than the other you need an alignment.

 

Thanks. I'm going to get an alignment but generally thought the right rear would always wear faster than the left to some degree.

 

No, shouldn't wear faster on one side unless you're driving on ovals

 

No I'm running Firestone Indy 500's not wide ovals

 

Yes. Just drive the car. They will rotate.

 

Yeah wear should be even so definitely check alignment.

There are assymetrical tires (aka inside and outside makes a difference) and there are directional tires (direction of rotation makes a difference). If they are directional, they should have an arrow somewhere on the tire showing the rotation direction. I have not looked at the tires you have though. If that is the case then yes, remount them so that they are rotating the correct direction. If no directional arrow anywhere, then just swap wheels one side to the other.

 

I didn’t realize that about the wear being even on the rears always thought right wore faster as it is somewhat the primary drive tire and the first to lose traction, not that I would drive in such a manner to lose traction of course. The Firestone Indy’s appear not to be directional so .

 

Yeah my rears, even on track, wear pretty even. They wear faster than the fronts on track which I expect but side to side is pretty much identical.

 

Tires with "Outside" on the sidewall can just be put on the other side of the car. outside is outside. Those with a "directional arrow" need to stay on the same side or remounted on the wheel to keep them rotating the same direction -- these tires seem to be getting rare on street tires.

-- Chuck