Do I need new tires ASAP???

[sh8wn9]

Hey guys, I have a 2003 pathfinder. I have 171k on it, and my current General Grabber AT2 tires are about 3-4 years old. They probably have about 50k miles on the tires at least. They are great tires especially dealing with the snow here in CT (see the 3 foot bizzard pic below ). Ive never really rotated them or balanced them....my fault I need to start doing that.
Anyways, last service visit they told me my tires we so chopped that they wouldnt even do rotating or balancing or alignment because they told me it woouldnt work because of the tires unevenly worn conditions. I looked at them and they are pretty bad, they are worn very noticeable not in any set pattern, and its pretty extreme. They told me they were still safe to drive, except I really should get new tires.
Im at the point where I think thats the olnly solution. Ive had enough of the extreme vibrations throughout my whole car at speeds over 50. Steering wheel shakes like crazy, my passenger seat even shakes. My 10 pound dog even shakes when shes lying on a seat....it looks like shes shivering haha!

My question is will new tires and alignment finally fix this? Or will an alignment fix this? Like I said the tires are so unevenly worn...I dont see how it can be a smooth ride anymore if all 4 tires are uneven in ware.

Thanks guys!

[Chris.m]

If you want to know if your tires are worn, google the minimum tread depth and use a calliper to measure it. Then you'll know.

[sh8wn9]

They have plenty of tread depth left...they are very aggressive tires to begin with and the depth is still there. So the tread depth is still fine, they still handle great in snow. But they are wavey and worn unevenly...the tread depth is fine, its just they arent evenly flat when sitting on the pavement is what Im trying to say....I feel like Im going to shake and rattle into pieces on the highway.

[Towncivilian]

Are the tire pressures correct? Vibration could be caused by improper tire pressure or wheel balance. Is there any swaying on the highway or at higher speeds? Swaying could indicate worn rear trailing arm bushings.

[sh8wn9]

Yea tires pressures are correct and all the same. No swaying at all...just crazy vibration and slight pull to the right.

[Towncivilian]

Since there's a pull, I'd assume your alignment is off. I would get an alignment and a wheel balance at some other shop if you think your tire tread is adequate and within safe levels.

[sh8wn9]

Hmmm, yea its definitely adequate and within safe levels, but if the tires are each angled differently...I dont see how it could ever be a smooth ride. Like if you put a bubble level on different parts of each tire...it would be totally different for each spot.

id much rather do an alignment and balance then get brand new tires...they are still great tires.
Do you think this would solve the issue? I went to the shop two times and the first time they told me they couldnt do the alignment and balance because of the tire conditions and they told me to get new tires...I told them Id wait till the winters over. The second time I went for an oil change, and they told me they recommend the alignment and balance...I told them ummmm yea last time I wanted to do that and you told me I couldnt because of the tire conditions...so she went back and told someone and came back out and said yes you are right.
Are they just fing with me or what? This is the dealership fyi

[Towncivilian]

Could you post some pictures of your tire treads?

[sh8wn9]

Yea I know from the pics it looks fine and even...but when I run my hand over the tires it feels wavy.

[Buzzman]

I'd be concerned about the secondary wear and damage that might be happening due to the shaking/vibration and pulling.
Your front end may need more than just an alignment.
Having said that, I'd visit another tire shop and see if they will at least attempt to balance them.
Every tire I've ever run on my Pathfinder had to be rebalanced at least once during it's lifetime.
The worst ones were Goodyear Wranglers BTW (never again). They would not stay balanced.
Good luck.
P.S. How old are your struts? Are they originals? They may be contributing to the problem.

[sh8wn9]

I have no idea how old the struts are. I have 171k on the car, and I bought it with 44k...Ive never replaced the struts so Im assuming they are original.
I just need to know if I should do struts and alignment and balance as opposed to replacing all 4 tires? I just want the shaking to stop, and the car to last another 50k. I was planning on getting 4 new tires, but I dont want to have that done and still have the violent shaking.

[sh8wn9]

This link is what Im trying to explain about the way my tires are worn..."out of round"


http://www.agcoauto.com/content/images/ ... d_tire.jpg