RE: Nokian Tire Problems and Tire Pressure
First, pressures.  The pressures on the placard on the door are for the
tire sizes shown on that placard, either 185R14 or 205/70R 14.  When you go
to different tires then don't go by those pressures.
Re: Nokians
For nearly three years I have been running the Hakka WRC 205/65 15's on my
'90 Westy.  When they were installed Peter at Van Cafe pointed out that he
had a customer with a set of those with sidewall cracking.  They had been
run at the pressure recommended on the door plaque, 30 front 40 rear.  I
went with 48 front and 50 rear.  And that is what I have run for just under
30k miles now.  And no sidewall problems at all.  And perfectly even wear
(with X roatation every 3-5k miles)
It is very simple to check tread wear for even wear across the tread.
Uneven wear is telling you that you are over or under inflating.  And wear
on one side says alignment problems.  Pretty straight forward.  And even
more important for you Syncro drivers that need even wear/equal tread all
the way around.