Hey guys,

Hoping someone can help guide or answer the conundrum. I've seen 2 different mechanics and they can't seem to diagnose. One of them said "..it just happens sometimes in AWD.." and the other couldn't hear or feel anything. I'm not sure if it's because they don't understand my question, or if they are looking at the problem when the car isn't under direct load or stress.
I bought new tires at the end of March to prepare for a trip to Texas. Somewhere outside in Tennessee, I picked up a hunk of metal in my rear, driver side tire. Outside of Nashville I couldn't get my tire pressure light to stay off. I made it to Tyler, TX (constantly stopping to put air in the tire) and got replaced the bad tire. I assumed the guys would match it to the existing 3 (meaning tread depth, size, and whatever else matters). I don't know how much difference in tread there is (3 of the tires have treads to Lincoln's eyes (this is the penny test), and one of them only has it to his eyebrows - sorry for the poor reference and lack of knowledge here). The vehicle does pull to the right (currently the mismatched tire is on the driver rear). My issue could be irrelated to this information, but I didn't have the problem until after the new tire. I was making a left u-turn and it felt like the car was stuttering (my dad said he thinks it is more of a grinding sound/feeling). He also thinks it possibly has something to do with the knuckle connection (or whatever it is actually called) in the rear axle at the very center. It only occurs in sharp turns at low speeds moving forward or in reverse. I don't know if it has something to do with the AWD. I don't know if it just needs another alignment and tire balance (although this was done after the new tire was put on).

I hope someone has some kind of insight or even a suggestion on what to ask a mechanic to look at and test.

Thank you!

 

We need more information. What is the exact size of the three old tires, and what is it for the new replaced one? Include brand and exact name. Are the tires all inflated to the same pressure? There are many possible reasons for your issue, one could be miss-matched tire rolling radii causing the brakes/ABS/ESC to engage on tight turns. It may be tough to diagnose from thousands of miles away.

 

It reads alignment issue. Not so much tire and your method to measure was pretty good and I understood it completely.

I would recommend you take it to Firestone. Please don't anyone go through the war stories BS about Firestone. One thing Firestone has in some of the best front end alignment equipment in the country and the only ones qualified to do alignments must have an alignment certification.
It also may have been something that was damaged and missed during the "mechanic's inspection which Firestone will also do and you should ask for a ride along to demonstrate your concern.

While the term may simply have been on the cuff your MAZDA really needs the attention in the future of trained and certified auto technicians. Yesterday's "mechanics" don't really have the skills and experienced form being trained independently or at a dealership to do the best and complete servicing needs of your year Mazda.

 

Of course. Yes, all the tires are the same pressure. That was also checked when installed, but on my trip back from TX to NJ, I stopped and put all of them to 34 psi, which is what the sticker on the frame recommended.
I figured it would be tough to diagnose from a distance, but I was hoping someone might just have insight for me to take to a mechanic and ask about.
3 tires: Hankook Kinergy PT 225/65R17 102H
1 tire: Ironman GR906 225/65R17 102H

 

You need have all four of the same brand /model/sized tires and preferably the same depth tread.
At a minimum change out the odd brand tire to match the other three and have it balanced. This will also determine if the rim that picked up the "hunk of metal" has been damaged.
If that rim is fine and you are still having an issue you need to get your alignment checked.