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Can I just replace rear 2 tires?

gordie61

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Money's tight, but i can't put it off any further. I need new rear tires. I'm 99% on pavement. The fronts still have about 65% tread left. Can I just do the 2 rears for now?
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Wildtoad

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I second the new tires go on the front.
 

Zachanadandy

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There's this thing called tire rotations, free if you do it yourself, really help if money's tight. Obviously too late in your situation but you should never end up with 2 bald tires and 2 at 65% You're doing it wrong.
 

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Lost1wing

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There's this thing called tire rotations, free if you do it yourself, really help if money's tight. Obviously too late in your situation but you should never end up with 2 bald tires and 2 at 65% You're doing it wrong.
I must have missed the bald part. Couldn't he have damaged one tire that could not be repaired? So at a minimum replace two tires on the same axle would suffice. Even if he is on the trail 4wd would be okay. He wouldn't have it 4wd on pavement anyway, so sure put two new tires on.

I have just read an article on which position to install the better tire. The article recommends placing the better tread in the rear. I don't agree with that. Their reasoning was that by placing the wore out tires in the rear could cause hydroplaning and loss of control. My thoughs are the same but when putting wore out tires in front. The article covered acceleration traction, highway cruising and braking. With 65% tread and 100% tread, I wouldn't concern myself with position ( front or rear). I would keep the pairs on the same axle though.
 

Minty JL

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Zachanadandy

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I must have missed the bald part. Couldn't he have damaged one tire that could not be repaired? So at a minimum replace two tires on the same axle would suffice. Even if he is on the trail 4wd would be okay. He wouldn't have it 4wd on pavement anyway, so sure put two new tires on.

I have just read an article on which position to install the better tire. The article recommends placing the better tread in the rear. I don't agree with that. Their reasoning was that by placing the wore out tires in the rear could cause hydroplaning and loss of control. My thoughs are the same but when putting wore out tires in front. The article covered acceleration traction, highway cruising and braking. With 65% tread and 100% tread, I wouldn't concern myself with position ( front or rear). I would keep the pairs on the same axle though.
The statement of "I need new rear tires and can't put it off any longer" implies to me that both tires are worn out? He didn't say he damaged a tire and wants to replace the rears only. That said I would probably put them on the rear as they wear faster on the street and then replace the fronts as soon as possible and swap the new tires to the rear... and then do regular rotations to avoid the 2 tire shuffle.
 
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Supazuk

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New tires up front: Front wheel drive, and 4 wheel on the Fly vehicles Traction tire get replaced
Snows tires on all 4

Replace all 4: AWD off size tire can mess up the coupling
Snows tires on all 4

New in the rear: Rear wheel drive only (or select-able hub 4x4) traction tire gets the new tread
Snow tires on the rear on RWD
 

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Zachanadandy

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New tires up front: Front wheel drive, and 4 wheel on the Fly vehicles Traction tire get replaced
Snows tires on all 4

Replace all 4: AWD off size tire can mess up the coupling
Snows tires on all 4

New in the rear: Rear wheel drive only (or select-able hub 4x4) traction tire gets the new tread
Snow tires on the rear on RWD
^this, with the add that we don't have manual hubs but the gladiator is still rwd and the primary drive tires should still be replaced 1st. The OPs worn out rears and decent fronts scream lack of rotations but also shows which tires do most of the work on road.
 

Lost1wing

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The statement of "I need new rear tires and can't put it off any longer" implies to me that both tires are worn out? He didn't say he damaged a tire and wants to replace the rears only. That said I would probably put them on the rear as they wear faster on the street and then replace the fronts as soon as possible and swap the new tires to the rear... and then do regular rotations to avoid the 2 tire shuffle.
No telling what the reason is. I would just refrain from calling someone out for not rotating tires appropriately. We could all guess at the reason. I once hit my brake so hard on the highway that I flat spotted my two front tires( before ABS days). I put it off until I could afford to buy two tires. Good guess on your part though.
 

Zachanadandy

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No telling what the reason is. I would just refrain from calling someone out for not rotating tires appropriately. We could all guess at the reason. I once hit my brake so hard on the highway that I flat spotted my two front tires( before ABS days). I put it off until I could afford to buy two tires. Good guess on your part though.
That's why I pointed out it's too late in this instance anyway. Dor anyone wise reading the thread, or fire the OP going forward you should generally have even wear on all 4 tires with proper rotation.
 

pvn.jt24

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Why not just go on FBMP and find a set of 4?

This ultimately sets a chain reaction where you’ll eventually only be replacing 2 of 4 tires every time.

Also, like others have suggested, rotating tires every 5k is a good idea too. It’s not that hard.
 
 







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