Rear Wheel Alignment

[Scorpiorefugee]

My old S reg has now done 190K and the previous set of rear tyres were about half worn when i got it. They lasted another 40k before the NS one suddenly looked badly scrubbed. Since it had probably done about 70K I wasn't too bothered and replaced the pair but the replacement is showing early but very definite signs of the the same problem. The front tyres did 45k+ and the replacements are fine. The OS rear is showing only slight signs of feathering.

 

I've had my local garage check it over and they say that, for it's mileage, the bushes etc are all in good condition so, without throwing myself at the mercy of the local Fraud office, I am at a bit of a loss. My first thoughts are to get the rear and rebushed. I have been advised to try a four wheel alignment but my experience over the years has been that if there is a need for adjustment and it has not been tweaked before, it is best left alone and look for the real cause. I do accept that an alignment check couldt be a guide but, if the bushes are soft, it could be more of a dynamic problem.

 

Has anyone else experienced a similar problem and can anyone suggest a possible cause please?

[Sher]

Exactly the same problem with my 52 Ghia 1.9TDI 115bhp at about 25000 miles and 66000 miles I need to reverse the tyre on that wheel to equalise the wear. This is the second tyre in that location.

 

The 1st was the same and was replaced at about 44000miles.

 

I do use it for towing about 4000miles/ year. But would have expected equal wear on both sides.

 

There is no way I can see to adjust/aligne the rear wheels. Does anyone know any?

[raymac]

could this be something to do with the camber of the road, aren't roads slightly offset so as the rainwater can run off to the gutters ? as we drive on the left the road in the centre will be flat (in most other countries it is!!!) and to the n/s slightly offset for rain runaway ,my tyres are the same and i think this could be the explanation :o (waits in anticpation to be shot down in flames ;) )

[Scorpiorefugee]

Hi Raymac,

 

That is a valid point but I am talking about a serious increase in tyre wear. The last rear tyres did 40k with little noticable change in condition then one almost disintegrated over a very short period. My new tyre looks as if it will struggle to last 5 - 10K. I would guess that the old rear tyres had done well over 70K before failing.

 

It is worth thinking about tyre pressures and it may be worth looking at another current topic on fuel consumption where this has been discussed.

 

It seems that moste tyre fitters settle for about 33psi when the correct pressure can be as high as 46. That has got to have serious implications on wear, fuel consumption and safety!

Edited April 20, 2007 by Scorpiorefugee

[big_kev]

Nearside tyres are always more prone to scrubbing as they will be bounced of kerbs the rough edges of narrow roads and suchlike.

[raymac]

Hi Raymac,

 

That is a valid point but I am talking about a serious increase in tyre wear. The last rear tyres did 40k with little noticable change in condition then one almost disintegrated over a very short period. My new tyre looks as if it will struggle to last 5 - 10K. I would guess that the old rear tyres had done well over 70K before failing.

 

It is worth thinking about tyre pressures and it may be worth looking at another current topic on fuel consumption where this has been discussed.

 

It seems that moste tyre fitters settle for about 33psi when the correct pressure can be as high as 46. That has got to have serious implications on wear, fuel consumption and safety!

 

Rear tyre pressure on mk2 should be 38psi ,if fully laden 49 psi

front tyres pressure 41psi and fully laden 44psi

[raymac]

Hi Raymac,

 

That is a valid point but I am talking about a serious increase in tyre wear. The last rear tyres did 40k with little noticable change in condition then one almost disintegrated over a very short period. My new tyre looks as if it will struggle to last 5 - 10K. I would guess that the old rear tyres had done well over 70K before failing.

 

It is worth thinking about tyre pressures and it may be worth looking at another current topic on fuel consumption where this has been discussed.

 

It seems that moste tyre fitters settle for about 33psi when the correct pressure can be as high as 46. That has got to have serious implications on wear, fuel consumption and safety!

 

possible faulty tyre?

[sanjsanj]

does it "pull" by any chance?

[Scorpiorefugee]

Thanks for your interest folks.

 

Quick answers to points raised....

 

The original NS rear seemed to be set to outlast the car until it failed. I had done more than 40 k on it and it was far from new when I got it. It developed severe uneven wear quite suddenly.

 

The replacement is showing rapid and identical uneven wear. I think that eliminates faulty tyres.

 

It steers straight and true.

 

As far as pressures are concerned, This is an S reg 110 but I also have a 52 115 ghia and recently replaced the front tyres. The tyre fitters chart indicated 33psi but when I checked he had put 32 in one and 29 in the other. I have now set them at 41 which is the lowest recommended in the handbook. A little irrelevant to this particular problem perhaps but it does raise serious questions about who we should believe and who we can trust. I keep the tyres on the older one at 39psi and even if this is not quite right it shouldn't cause sudden rapid uneven wear.

[wood73]

is the tyre wearing one sided or bumpy, the latter suggests shock absorber, the former suggests wear in the bushes but this usually affects both tyres on the axle.

[jackthehat.co.uk]

I have exactly the same problem on my Ford Granada Scorpio. For years I had no problems but the last two sets of rear tyres wore heavily on the inside edge and didn't last long. I thought it was due to carrying heavy loads on the motorway but I only do that 3 or 4 times a year for about 200 miles a time. The loads were extremely heavy but I still find it hard to believe that that's the cause. The car has 183K on the clock so bush and shocker wear is a possibility.