Tire thread depth differences

[Bow_Tied]

So I have been running older tires up front than in back but matched pairs. At AW I blew one of the better tires. Now I have 1/8" best to worst (front to rear) and 1/16" side to side on the rear. Fronts are same <32nd difference. Is this too much difference now over all 4?
Fronts are 4 years old and starting to weather check. Rears are effectively 2.5 yrs and 1.5 yrs old. I at least need a spare. Beyond that do nothing, buy a pair or buy 4 tires?

[Scotto]

As long as the tread depth is similar on the same axle, you're fine. Your choice one whether you want the awesome tread on the rear or the front. For winter, usually it's the rear, as they figure getting going is more important than steering. I think 1/8" isn't much to sneeze at...Cracking is bad. I'd consider two new ones in your period of "year of the tire"...

Scott

[Simon]

Not sure about the rear diff in the Blazer, but on a limited slip, you want both tires damn near exact in size. Otherwise, there's constant slip on the LSD any time you're rolling. I believe we chatted about a locker of sorts in the rear; but I'm not sure how it'd handle tire size variations, or if it's completely open when not "locked". Something to consider.....

[Bow_Tied]

Good comments guys, thanks.

Ya, I believe my locker acts as open until it locks. .


-Ron

[Drizit]

Keep in mind if you have significantly different sized tires even on an open diff you will run the spiders all the time and potentially burn them up.

[Miner]

1/16th of an inch on a 30-33 inch tire is ~0.2%. So for every kilometer traveled your spider gears have to make up 2m of differential rotation which is less than distance covered in one rotation of a wheel. I would hope that wouldn't cause a problem.

[Bow_Tied]

1/16" is tread depth so that'd be x2 for diameter. But regardless is does seem like a very small amount. I have always thought the tire inflation could easily be out more than that and if that was an issue you'd here of rampant failures. I guess I just wanted reassurance.


-Ron

[Scotto]

Miner did math!


Sent from my iThingy.

[Adam]

I ran different from front to back for a long time without any issues. Side to side I would only do in an emergency, or on the front in 2wd with the hubs unlocked.