has anyone else experienced this issue with the fabia  mk2?

 

The sidewall of both front tyres are wearing out pretty fast compared to the rest of the tyre. Some topics say it's because I take roundabouts to fast but that's not really my case. It had it's wheel alignment and tracking done about 8 months ago but it's still wearing out pretty unusual. The tyres I had before were bridgestones, now i'm running barums and have the same wear pattern.

 

Cheers

I believe you mean the outer part of the tread, not the sidewall.

Forget that you had the tracking done X number of months ago-- get it done again by someone using a Hunter alignment machine.

Your wear pattern suggests that you are toeing in too much. Also check that you not running under inflated

Edited 6 June, 20188 yr by 2ndskoda
Typo

1 hour ago, 2ndskoda said:

I believe you mean the outer part of the tread, not the sidewall.

Forget that you had the tracking done X number of months ago-- get it done again by someone using a Hunter alignment machine.

Your wear pattern suggests that you are toeing in too much. Also check that you not running under inflated

 

 

You are correct, not the side wall but the outer part. 

 

They too used a hunter with all the gizmos. I'll go to a different garage then. 

I would also suggest swapping fronts for rears as you will otherwise wear them to below safe limits. The sides do wear quicker but only to a degree, hence the legal limit (1.6mm for cars, 1mm for motorcycles, visible tread for mopeds) Is measured from the central 3/4 or 75% of the tyre.

If you had the tracking domne 8 months ago, it is hard to say they did it properly or not as, within a month, say, you could get them to re-do the job if you noticed an isue but in 8 months and a tyre swap, you could easily have hit a kerb or pot hole, etc and ruined the setting. I had mine done some time back by a very reputable shop and they advise that the tracking was not quite tweeting close enough for their liking, despite being within tolerance (Fussy garage) The guy suspected a slightly bent suspension leg so suggested if they wear again too soon, get the front shocks replaced prior to new tyres and  a fresh tracking check. Do not rely on any garage changing any suspension part, such as bushes, c.v's etc, without a full proper tracking check as unless they do it properly, they are just guessing where the setting LOOKS like it should be. Proper, accurate tyre inflation will also help, not the old "Kicked the sidewall, it looked fine" Routine!

Edited 6 June, 20188 yr by mrgf

Good decision Bertie90

 

Remember the Hunter machine is only as good as its operator

Is this excessive? Both look the same. They have 4000 mi 

 

A further question

do you have to use full lock when getting into a parking area/space - or any particular place (IE turning around in the street) - if so do you use full lock in both directions?

Edited 6 June, 20188 yr by 2ndskoda
typo

10 minutes ago, 2ndskoda said:

A further question

do you have to use full lock when getting into a parking area/space - or any particular place (IE turning around in the street) - if so do you use full lock in both directions?

 

If it's a tight place then yes?

I've experienced this strange wear on our 2013 Fabia but not on all other Fabias we have/had.

This particular Fabia has had front suspension work done at Skoda because of recurring problems with steering rods. "Front suspension totally stripped and rebuilt" is what it says on the report. The alignment was done on the factory approved Skoda/VAG rig.

 

To me it looks like a camber issue. I am told by a master tech that camber can be adjusted by moving the subframe but is very difficult to get right.

 

Just to add, this car does 95% motorway cruising at legal limit. Hardly any full lock manoeuvring.

Edited 6 June, 20188 yr by xman

To make my enquiry a little clearer

 

I meant say a daily and repetitive full lock operating situation.

OK this is an Octy, not a Furbie, but I've never had had edge wear like that on Barums, so I'd agree it looks like a geometry issue.

1 hour ago, 2ndskoda said:

To make my enquiry a little clearer

 

I meant say a daily and repetitive full lock operating situation.

 

not really, I use my car twice a week and it's motorways only.

Turns out it's the control arms bushes. Apparently they are too soft and there's a lot of play when wiggled around. 

Regarding the full lock though, it is dependant on necessity! If you need it, use it, if not, don't. It really is as simple as that. The one important factor to realise, is only turn the steering wheel when the cars wheels are rotating... Do not dry steer. (Steer whilst stationary). This will absolutely KILL your tyres, track rod ends, steering rack and any or all your steering components, along with the power steering pump, which is the tool that actually makes it feel so easy to dry steer in the first place. Many of these components will cost an arm and a leg to replace! When you get the work sorted, be sure the tracking is done again, properly. Otherwise you will be here again in 3-6 months!

4 hours ago, mrgf said:

 The one important factor to realise, is only turn the steering wheel when the cars wheels are rotating... Do not dry steer. (Steer whilst stationary). This will absolutely KILL your tyres, track rod ends, steering rack and any or all your steering components, along with the power steering pump, which is the tool that actually makes it feel so easy to dry steer in the first place. Many of these components will cost an arm and a leg to replace!

 

Not really. May cause wear spots on warm tyres but no damage to steering components. Its 2018 not 1968.

 

Edited 13 June, 20188 yr by xman

... You think not? Keep on doing it then!

"Turns out it's the control arms bushes. Apparently they are too soft and there's a lot of play when wiggled around."

 

Whilst this may be true - I do believe you are a little over expectant that this will produce the final required accurate result. Scores of other cars have this same play in evidence - but are not ripping out tyres to the degree of your illustration. The illustration clearly indicates the the car is toeing in excessively - therefore the outer edges of both tyres are presented as the primary contact/wear point.

Fit the bushes if you think this to be the answer by all means, BUT, nevertheless ensure that the tracking is checked / corrected by a competent person using the hunter machine.

When this is done (as suggested by another poster) it is necessary after say a month, to carry out a second check.

You really are at the mercy of the machine operator, and truth be told, not many have a complete understanding of full and complete accurate application of the machines capability'

I assume that a full check of the subframe position and security has been made?

Good luck with this.

Edited 16 June, 20188 yr by 2ndskoda
typo