Uneven front tyre wear (inside shoulder)

[mrhiviz]

Evenin' all.

I am suffering from uneven front tyre wear on inside. L&R I went to a local tyre place here in Franceland and 30 euros later was told alignment was very good. I was expecting to be forced at gunpoint to buy new tyres but to my surprise they weren't particularly concerned. What else could be causing this. I run 205/65/R16C Goodyear Cargo marathons at  about  3 bar as per door sticker.  I have to replace the shock top mount rubbers but that wouldn't cause it, or would it? I have just fitted rear shocks as well.   Looking at the photo it doesn't look so bad but it was mentioned in the CT/MOT. Ta muchly for any input. Leon

[Mirez]

When diagnosing that type of wear its best to get an alignment check rather then a tracking check. This will show you the camber, castor and toe instead of the tracking check which just shows you the toe.

However if the tracking/toe is correct then the next most likely scenario is the camber is out. Imagine the wheel sat upright away from the car then you would expect it to be 90* to the ground. If the wheel has camber then it will be leaning out/in. In reality it doesn't take much to cause wear like you have and may not even be possible to see with the eye, hence the need for a full alignment check.

Many things can cause camber but the most common are worn top mounts, worn lower bushes or ageing shock absorbers.

[mrhiviz]

Thanks for that. The top mount rubbers arrived today  so that  may well take care of that. I suspect it will be a combination of all 3 factors though.  :-\Cheers .L

[mrhiviz]

Forgot to mention: I did get a pukka alignment check and they were very thorough. They even asked why I wanted one when I booked. The results and cribsheet for translations are attached. All in all it took nearly an hour. As they didn't adjust anything they gave me a 50% reduction.  [attachimg=1][attachimg=2]

[insanitybeard]

In my experience, most front wheel drive cars (especially modern diesels) tend to wear out the inner edges of the front tyres faster than the rest of the tread, and the Galaxy is no different- if anything, it's more pronounced on the Galaxy IMO due to the fact that's it's a big ol' vehicle and there's a fair bit of torque from the motor (or maybe it's just my driving style  ). My previous set of Dunlop front tyres only did about 8k before they were bald on the inner edges (though I never rotated them front to rear admittedly) and my existing fronts are in need of replacement soon for the same reason- still a reasonable amount of tread over most of the tyre width but nearly bald on the inner edges. I had a geometry check a while back and it was all pretty much within spec (after they adjusted it) so I'm sure it's not geometry related in my case, just the combination of a heavy and torquey vehicle and maybe my over zealous right foot sometimes!

[insanitybeard]

This is my offside front tyre, reasonable tread over most of the tyre width but nigh on bald on the inner (left hand) edge...... as per my previous post, I don't think this kind of front tyre wear is particularly unusual, particularly on modern diesels that produce lots of torque (click on the image to view full size):

[attachimg=1]

[johnnyroper]

That's pretty much what mine look like and full alignment was done all in spec. I think as above its characteristic of some diesels.

[niall]

Just yesterday I had the two front tyres replaced. They were borderline illegal...identical to OP's picture.
The previous set I had replaced had identical wear so they did a laser tracking job.
They didn't adjust a thing the last time and I still got the same wear?
So, when they said I should do the tracking this time I declined as the wear across 75% of the tread was the same.
Not sure if the tracking done previously, with the "Lasers"(Austin Powers) is the same as an alignment you talk of?

N.

[mike wilson]

Tracking is part of a full alignment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6ZZ_U_Fl1Y

[mrhiviz]

Sorry for late responses to all the recent posts. we've been away on a short camping trip to the coast.

Looks as if what I'm seeing is quite normal and I shall stop mithering immediately. I'll do the top mounts and look forward to getting some more tyres before the big UK trip in July.

Thank you one and all.

[johnnyroper]

Yes quite normal for these cars,had all 4 boots changed this week no doubt in another 10-15k the fronts will be looking the same again.

What's the problem with top mounts?

[insanitybeard]

I wish I could get 10-15k out of a set of fronts on mine! 

[Jeff]

Hi, hoping you can advise if changing the top mounts rectified the wear on inside edge of the front tyres.
I have the same issue, advised that tracking was OK but negative camber showing and not adjustable, apart from replacing lots of suspension parts??

thanks Jeff

[mike wilson]

I wish I could get 10-15k out of a set of fronts on mine! 

I have not the same car but the same platform - I put a set of Michelin Crossclimates on just before some anticipated snow in Feb.  Now at just over 15k and it looks like I will have to replace them soon after 20k.  I'm rather cheesed off with that, as I usually get more than twice that mileage.

Michelin Primacys on my previous MkII Mondeo lasted closer to 50k.  At 207K it had had five sets on in its life.

Now I just need to work on that elusive 100mpg....

Edit:  and I get wear evenly across the tread.  Always have.

[insanitybeard]

I can only think that my right foot or driving style is slightly more zealous than yours then! Regarding even wear across the entire tread width, I've always found my front tyres to wear out faster on the inner edge, and this was exactly the same with numerous front wheel drive Fords that I worked on back in my days in the workshop- Mk3 Mondeos for example, wear on the inner tread of the front tyres was almost standard in my experience and I can't believe that every Mk3 Mondeo I worked on had defective suspension or incorrect geometry!

[johnnyroper]

Much the same with this x type (being a mondy) inner edge wears fastest on the fronts. The rears were mullered partly because camber was out and partly because they had been on front previously. It does seem to Be a ford thing as my 14 plate tranny connect is the same although it has managed 16k in its first set.

[mike wilson]

The first mondeo was nearly new when we bought it; that had noticeably higher wear on the inners.  Took it for a check and they said it was alright.  The wear evened out as the tyres wore but they were dead before you could say it was even.  Subsequent sets wore evenly.

The present one was the same.  Bought with noticeably worn tyres that evened out.  I want to get as much mpg and tyre life out of it as possible, so I generally drive without high levels of acceleration but I do tend to try to conserve momentum.  Not a fan of slowing for corners or heavy breaking, so mucho anticipation.  I do try to rotate the tyres at every service.  That helps to average out wear but I don't know if it affects wear pattern.  I also keep an eye on tyre pressures.

[insanitybeard]

I haven't (and haven't previously) swapped the tyres front to rear in their life so that hasn't helped in my case admittedly. As you say, I also try to avoid heavy braking or braking into corners, equally I check the pressures fairly regularly. However, I do give the accelerator some action from time to time, just to keep the turbo vanes free from sticking you understand! 

[mike wilson]

You're not alone there. 8 -)

Also spend some time cruising at 80-85mph and more when abroad.  Stick to approximately 70 here.  I suspect it's more that I don't play the traffic light GP.  Having been a motorcyclist for all of my mobile life I find car acceleration either dreadfully slow or, if not, catastrophically expensive.  Can't afford (or fit in....) the catastrophically expensive and see no point in abusing my vehicle for little pleasurable reward, so I'm happy to granny it between lights and reap the mpg rewards.

[insanitybeard]

I had a motorbike up until 2003 when impending family requirements dictated that I needed four wheels! My first bike was a Honda CG125 and my last bike was a Mk1 unfaired Suzuki SV650, nice machine. I'd like another bike someday but I'd have to disobey my partner for that! What sort of bikes did you have?

[mike wilson]

At the moment, I have 4x MZ (Marque specialist for the VMCC) 3x Velocette (maybe four if you count the major parts and log book I have) and one Moto Guzzi.

I haven't been able to ride for a while due to chronic urticaria, where the skin reacts like nettle rash to the slightest stimulus.  So wind, clothes chafing, sudden changes of temperature all kick it off big time.  Then I want to rip my skin off.  Not good when you are in the middle of traffic.  Antihistamines control it somewhat but I'm still reluctant to take a chance.

[insanitybeard]

That's nasty, is that something you've always had to live with or is it something that's become an issue in later life? Interestingly, having just read a little about the condition I think I've suffered in the past a bit from the cold induced version where if I did some kind of physical exercise in cold (i.e, frosty) conditions, sometimes I would get this intense but short lived all over body irritation where like you say you wanted to pull your skin off. It only lasted a few minutes at a time and I don't recall it leaving any lasting rash or anything like that, but it wasn't pleasant.

Sorry to hear anyway.

[mike wilson]

Had it for quite a while as an acute problem (sporadic episodes of intense symptoms) but didn't realise what it was until about 15 years ago.  Concentrated in groin, armpits and scalp, so I naturally assumed I just needed a good wash. 8 -)  Then I got married [and it turned chronic ]and was dragged kicking and screaming to the doctor who prescribed constant antihistamines.  It's under control but life is also rather slowed down, now.  Maybe that's not a bad thing.

[ginettaman]

Can't understand that French printout? My tyres also always wear the insides out firstly too. Does anyone have the toe in or toe out measurements for a Mk2 Gal with 215 55 16 boots? Just set mine on track rite and they appeared to be about .25 degrees toe out? I've fitted new track rod ends and set it the same for now as I can't find the specs??

[ginettaman]

Can't understand that French printout? My tyres also always wear the insides out firstly too. Does anyone have the toe in or toe out measurements for a Mk2 Gal with 215 55 16 boots? Just set mine on track rite and they appeared to be about .25 degrees toe out? I've fitted new track rod ends and set it the same for now as I can't find the specs??

Haynes says 20 degrees toe in.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[johnnyroper]

Had mine set to zero after old ones were scrubbed on inner,done another set since then and they wore evenly.

[Chrispb]

I must say mine is set 0deg 10min total toe in for the same reason they wear on the inner edges first.
After seeing what ginettaman posted about the Haynes manual says 20degrees toe in I had to have a look because it couldn't possibly be 20degrees but could possibly be 20 minutes, anyway my MK2 book says total toe out 0deg 10mins +- 30mins.
Then I took a look at TIS that showed total toe out 0deg 10mins +-20mins
Then Elsawin and low an behold toe in 0deg 10mins +- 20mins
I think I would lean toward the VW spec as so many complain of tyre wear.

[ginettaman]

Sorry I got the units wrong, I meant 10 - 20 minutes in not degrees. I've set mine with a very slight toe in which is just showing on my Trackrite gauge which measure the tyre footprint and deflection on the road. My haynes manual is for the MK1 so with bigger tyres it may be slightly differant for the MK2. Toe in does help the steering feel helping the striaght line self centreing. Some cars wander a little if set at 0. Caster could also cause the inner rim to wear quicker too plus tyre pressures.