I've just had to change the front offside wheel because of a flat tyre, I notice that it's very worn on the inner shoulder. In the old days it was a matter of screwing something to adjust, today I'm thinking it might be a new suspension arm or something else expensive.

How much? Likely garage rates, I'm too old to be crawling under cars.

Get the tracking checked first before imagining anything major

@totoro - Agreed, it could be the tracking, or it could be the lower ball joint or track rod end. Either of those will be picked up by a tracking check.

17 hours ago, totoro said:

I've just had to change the front offside wheel because of a flat tyre, I notice that it's very worn on the inner shoulder. In the old days it was a matter of screwing something to adjust, today I'm thinking it might be a new suspension arm or something else expensive.

How much? Likely garage rates, I'm too old to be crawling under cars.

 

Console bushes and tracking. Have you checked the other front tyre? If it's the bushes, get them replaced and then get the tracking set.

1 minute ago, vindaloo said:

 

Console bushes and tracking. Have you checked the other front tyre? If it's the bushes, get them replaced and then get the tracking set.

 

Nearside tyre is fine, given the amount of wear it is strange that the garage didn't mention it at the MOT about 2,000 miles back or that so much wear can occur in that distance ( as bad as the original mini )

I'll book it in later today and let the garage sort it.

IF it's the console bushes, consider the extra expense and get powerflex fitted on both sides.

21 minutes ago, VWD said:

IF it's the console bushes, consider the extra expense and get powerflex fitted on both sides.

 

Not on a car that cost me less than £700, 14,000 miles ago

 

It will have the cheapest fix going.

On 11/10/2019 at 14:16, totoro said:

 

Not on a car that cost me less than £700, 14,000 miles ago

 

It will have the cheapest fix going.

 

Consider these ones at least. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FOR-VW-POLO-SEAT-IBIZA-SKODA-FABIA-MEYLE-HD-CONSOLE-WISHBONE-ARM-BUSH-BUSHES-/170964885786

 

The later Skoda OE ones are better than originally fitted but still look a bit floppy compared to other offerings.

I've booked it in for the local garage to sort out on Wednesday, they are good on price and quality.

I notice the near side tyre is also got a bit of extra wear on the inner edge.

Have just found a very good, branded, unused tyre for £24 fitted and balanced so can afford a bit more on the garage bill if required.

On 13/10/2019 at 13:30, totoro said:

I've booked it in for the local garage to sort out on Wednesday, they are good on price and quality.

I notice the near side tyre is also got a bit of extra wear on the inner edge.

Have just found a very good, branded, unused tyre for £24 fitted and balanced so can afford a bit more on the garage bill if required.

 

 

I only really noticed mine wearing when it was getting time for new tyres. At the least it's cost me a couple mm's wear on several sets of front tyres. At worst it could have got me a ticket from PC Copper before I noticed the extent of the wear.

 

Over the years I've had them (in order)....

1) Fine from the factory.

2) Wearing the edges because I got it lowered.

3) Wearing the edges because the console bushes wore out.

4) Wearing the edges because new console bushes had been fitted.

5) (And currently) OK.

 

In amongst that lot the tracking was tweaked whenever it was obvious there was a problem.

 

When the console bushes are replaced, the tracking WILL change. Best to get a four wheel alignment check done and tracking adjusted.

 

J.

 

Four wheel check a waste of money since nothing at the back is adjustable.

I have a Gunson Trakrite drive-over wheel alignment gauge. Seems to do an adequate job, never had uneven tyre wear.

 

Edited 14 October, 20196 yr by TMB

That was not too bad, a thorough check of bushes, steering, suspension and adjust tracking, swap tyres around and check tyre pressures,

 

one hour labour.

 

All joints/bushes fine.

 

Got off lightly.

On 14/10/2019 at 15:11, sepulchrave said:

Four wheel check a waste of money since nothing at the back is adjustable.

Does a 4 wheel alignment not allow the front two wheels to be aligned so that they are parallel to the rear? This is why the 'thrust angle' is measured on a 4 wheel alignment? On a 2 wheel alignment if the rear wheel alignment is not checked compared to the front 2 wheels of  the car the rear of the car will snake out one way or other at the rear, if it is out of alignment specifications ? 

Edited 1 November, 20196 yr by bmbmdmb

On 14/10/2019 at 15:11, sepulchrave said:

Four wheel check a waste of money since nothing at the back is adjustable.

 

Don't assume that the front wheels are parallel to the rear wheels.

Don't assume that the rear alignment is correct/in tolerance.

A four wheel check can make allowances for any discrepancies at the rear.

 

Thanks AG Falco

2 hours ago, bmbmdmb said:

Does a 4 wheel alignment not allow the front two wheels to be aligned so that they are parallel to the rear? This is why the 'thrust angle' is measured on a 4 wheel alignment? On a 2 wheel alignment if the rear wheel alignment is not checked compared to the front 2 wheels of  the car the rear of the car will snake out one way or other at the rear, if it is out of alignment specifications ? 

 

No, all wheel alignment tools use the rear wheels as a reference to set the the front wheels with the correct toe setting, how else could you do it? The rears are not adjustable and are bolted to the ends of a beam that runs across the car, unless there's crash damage the rears will be straight.

 

Some cars are adjustable all round, the Fabia ain't one of them.