possible strut rub

[CycloneJunky]

I have 26,000 miles on my 2006 GTO and I have been noticing a rumble sound at low speeds. In trying to diagnose the problem I discovered the insides or my tires are worn significantly with the rubber worn through in a few places. I was surprised by this since I rarely drive drive my car hard and never corner hard. The car also had the struts replaced 2 years ago. Is this wear normal for 26,000 miles or is this a strut rub issue? There is some evidence of rubbing on the bottom of the struts but I don't know if it would cause the amount of damage I have. If it is a strut rub issue is there any chance the dealer will replace the tires? I would appreciate any help on this issue. Thanks.

[Lorider680]

If you got 26k out of your stock rubber, it isn't strut rub. Actually, alot of guys in here will commend you for the length you got out of them. I got 27k out of mine and consider it good.
F

[Cyanide]

The images below are images of the strut rub my Goat experienced and I did get 26K out of mine.

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/3/web/ 2703000-2703999/2703265_76.jpg?350120-262

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/3/web/ 2703000-2703999/2703265_78.jpg?350120-262

[Lorider680]

The images below are images of the strut rub my Goat experienced and I did get 26K out of mine.

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/3/web/ 2703000-2703999/2703265_76.jpg?350120-262

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/3/web/ 2703000-2703999/2703265_78.jpg?350120-262

There are exceptions to every rule. Your one of them.
F

[EvilGoat]

Up until about 22k my tires seemed to wear evenly up front, at 25k I had to replace the passenger tire because it blew out from rubber on the inside ripping off in shreds, rest of the tire was good for at least another 10k, same part of the strut rubbed to bare metal as picture above. Now at 31k, my driver front is doing the exact same thing with wear on the strut.

I'm going to run a smaller tire up front (don't auto-cross or corner hard, the extra rubber isn't essential) and replace the RR bushings, and hope that will fix it. I was also looking into Pedders' "tire rub" kit, but it's a bit pricey.

[flink]

Up until about 22k my tires seemed to wear evenly up front, at 25k I had to replace the passenger tire because it blew out from rubber on the inside ripping off in shreds, rest of the tire was good for at least another 10k, same part of the strut rubbed to bare metal as picture above. Now at 31k, my driver front is doing the exact same thing with wear on the strut.

I'm going to run a smaller tire up front (don't auto-cross or corner hard, the extra rubber isn't essential) and replace the RR bushings, and hope that will fix it. I was also looking into Pedders' "tire rub" kit, but it's a bit pricey.

Replacing the radius rod bushings is good (basically essential) but
it won't fix the strut rub. It's the strut bushings up in the strut towers
which are the problem. They wear out and the strut leans outwards
which causes camber gain. Then the alignment guy "fixes" that by
pushing the tire too close to the strut and then it rubs.

Need to replace those bushings (pedders or kollar racing products).
There's a bearing race under the bushing which tends to fall apart when
the bushing is removed so you should buy a couple of those at the same
time, else you might end up off the road until the UPS guy turns up.

[CycloneJunky]

Replacing the radius rod bushings is good (basically essential) but
it won't fix the strut rub. It's the strut bushings up in the strut towers
which are the problem. They wear out and the strut leans outwards
which causes camber gain. Then the alignment guy "fixes" that by
pushing the tire too close to the strut and then it rubs.

Need to replace those bushings (pedders or kollar racing products).
There's a bearing race under the bushing which tends to fall apart when
the bushing is removed so you should buy a couple of those at the same
time, else you might end up off the road until the UPS guy turns up.

When my stock struts failed a couple weeks after I purchased the car the dealer replaced them with what looks to be Pedders struts. However, I don't know if they replaced every part with the Pedders gear. Since it is a Pedders strut would they have to use Pedders mounts/bushings/spring or could these still be stock? If the mounts and the bushings are Pedders is there any reason to be concerned that those have failed? Also, how much money would I need to spend if I were to have an entire strut package (street I) including mounts and bushings installed by Pedders? I really don't want to burn through another set of tires and if that means buying high performance suspension, so be it.