Severe N/S/F tyre wear

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mr. shr

MB Enthusiast
Joined
Apr 22, 2004
Messages
1,879
Hi All,
The outer shoulder of passenger front tyre is wearing MUCH quick than on the driver's side (W202).
Car seems to drives fine. I don't do a lot of round abouts and I don't drive fast.

Had a "four wheel allignment" done about 6 months ago and all seemed fine.

But I've been told different things about the 4 wheel allignment thing:

  • Dealer says only they dealer can do it (supprise supprise).
  • My local tyre company say they can do it; only 25 quid for four wheel (10 quid for 2 wheel) and only takes about 20 mins. (This is what I had done 6 months ago).
  • Some have told me that it's at least a 90 min job.
  • Others have told me that no adjustments can be made on mercs (think that was also my local tyre place).

So what REALLY IS a 4 wheel allignment?

Who can do it, other than a stealer and what precisely am I asking for? (more to the point, what should I be careful of being fobbed off with?)

Anyone know of a good place to go? I'm in the Peterborough area.

Thanks for any info.

shr.

P.S. Can supply pic of my tyre wear if it would help?
 
Anybody with a proper 4 wheel alignment rig can do this.

They should ensure the tank is full to ballast the car properly. If not full put a couple of tyres in the boot.

The rear caster isn't required, the camber isn't adjustable but the rear toe is.

The front can all be adjusted by fitting ofsett caster bolts and the toe is adjusted as normal.

Either the front n/s camber is out or you take too many right hand corners combined with overuse of the power steering maybe.

You should rotate the wheels around the car every 6,000 miles to even the wear pattern.
 
Hi All,
The outer shoulder of passenger front tyre is wearing MUCH quick than on the driver's side (W202).
Car seems to drives fine. I don't do a lot of round abouts and I don't drive fast.

Had a "four wheel allignment" done about 6 months ago and all seemed fine.

But I've been told different things about the 4 wheel allignment thing:

  • Dealer says only they dealer can do it (supprise supprise).
  • My local tyre company say they can do it; only 25 quid for four wheel (10 quid for 2 wheel) and only takes about 20 mins. (This is what I had done 6 months ago).
  • Some have told me that it's at least a 90 min job.
  • Others have told me that no adjustments can be made on mercs (think that was also my local tyre place).

So what REALLY IS a 4 wheel allignment?

Who can do it, other than a stealer and what precisely am I asking for? (more to the point, what should I be careful of being fobbed off with?)

Anyone know of a good place to go? I'm in the Peterborough area.

Thanks for any info.

shr.

P.S. Can supply pic of my tyre wear if it would help?

I would get the MB dealer to do it. Its about £150 and they use laser equipment I think.
 
Last edited:
Anybody with a proper 4 wheel alignment rig can do this.

They should ensure the tank is full to ballast the car properly. If not full put a couple of tyres in the boot.

The rear caster isn't required, the camber isn't adjustable but the rear toe is.

The front can all be adjusted by fitting ofsett caster bolts and the toe is adjusted as normal.

Either the front n/s camber is out or you take too many right hand corners combined with overuse of the power steering maybe.

You should rotate the wheels around the car every 6,000 miles to even the wear pattern.

Thanks Dieselman.
So my local tyre place do this for 25 pounds. It uses LASERS and they attach something to all 4 wheels when doing it. Does that sound right or is this not the FULL 4 wheel thing?

How long should a proper test take (before determining whether adjustments are required?)
 
Don't mind me asking but is it up to the correct pressure?

Looks ok but I suppose I should check it!!

Doesn't *look* low but I suppose looks can be misleading.
 
I would get the MB dealer to do it. Its about £150 and they use laser equipment I think.

Have considered this but trying to see if an indy or alignment specialist can do the same job for half the price.
 
Thanks Dieselman.
So my local tyre place do this for 25 pounds. It uses LASERS and they attach something to all 4 wheels when doing it. Does that sound right or is this not the FULL 4 wheel thing?

How long should a proper test take (before determining whether adjustments are required?)

Sounds like it probably is. Can they take measurements off the rear axle as well as the front or are the rear ones just for referrence for the front settings.

Can they give you a print out of the settings before and after.?

Also always have them perform a check 'on the turn'. Not sure, think this might be called 'pressed'

It may be that the steering linkage is a bit worn causing the wheel to track off slightly once driving.

In addition hae the wheel bearings checked.
 
Sounds like it probably is. Can they take measurements off the rear axle as well as the front or are the rear ones just for referrence for the front settings.

I think they said the rear ones are just for reference.

Can they give you a print out of the settings before and after.?

They will give me a print out after, not sure about before but probably would if I asked.
Also always have them perform a check 'on the turn'. Not sure, think this might be called 'pressed'
Is this done on the ramp or do they take the car out on the road? When they did mine 6 months ago, the wheels were kept in the straight ahead position.
It may be that the steering linkage is a bit worn causing the wheel to track off slightly once driving.

In addition hae the wheel bearings checked.

Do these checks need to be done by my indy or can my local tyre crowd perform these kind of tests?
 
mr.shr

I would say that when your car is moving, and therefore the front wheel and geometry links/arms is loaded, there is too much toe-in on that particular wheel and thus wearing the tyre out on the outside.

You have either probably hit a severe pothole OR the wishbone bush/s is/are
worn on that side of the car.

There is unlikely to be a fault with camber because it would have to be a very big positive camber figure on the cambered road to wear the tyre side out. BUt do look at the wheel and see if the top of the relevant wheels seems to be leaning out at the top of the wheel when car is static on a level surface.

You should get the suspension bushes checked first.

If you just get the car tracked it may look OK when static, but when a load is put on the wheels again when driven it will be back to the old ways and still wearing your tyre out, so waste of money.
 
mr.shr

I would say that when your car is moving, and therefore the front wheel and geometry links/arms is loaded, there is too much toe-in on that particular wheel and thus wearing the tyre out on the outside.

You have either probably hit a severe pothole OR the wishbone bush/s is/are
worn on that side of the car.

There is unlikely to be a fault with camber because it would have to be a very big positive camber figure on the cambered road to wear the tyre side out. BUt do look at the wheel and see if the top of the relevant wheels seems to be leaning out at the top of the wheel when car is static on a level surface.

You should get the suspension bushes checked first.

If you just get the car tracked it may look OK when static, but when a load is put on the wheels again when driven it will be back to the old ways and still wearing your tyre out, so waste of money.

Can I check the bushes myself? How can I tell if they are worn?
 
Is this a full 4 wheel jobbie?!?!

IanAlexander2, you introduced me to Parkham Garage so maybe you could also tell me of your tyre guy?

I could, but afterwards I'd have to.......no seriously, I suspect he did/does it for nothing because I pay silly prices for his tyres....but then I believe in using local services where useful/sensible on the basis, use it or lose it! We country folk have little enough!
 

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