Hi all, as per the title, my 2011 Fabia Monte Carlo is suffering from some uneven tyre wear on the inner edge of the front nearside tyre.

 

I suspect that the car has had a bump at some point in it's life (if you look very very closely the paint quality on that wing isn't quite as good as the rest of the car), and I'm wondering if the geometry has been thrown off.

 

While I'm quite clued up on the engine side of things,  I'm not that clued up on suspension/steering and am a little unsure what to ask for when I get it checked out.  Will the grease monkeys at one of the fast fit centres know what they're doing, or will I need a specialist of some sort?  I've experienced inner edge wear previously on another car where the tracking was later checked and found to be fine.  I didn't have the car for long afterwards, so never got round to investigating it fully.

 

 

All you need is for the tracking to be checked. Find a independent garage who won’t charge a lot for it to be checked. 

See, that's what I immediately thought (I do have a mate who's a mechanic and will check that, but he's rushed off his feet currently), but the last time I experienced inner edge wear like this (previous car), the tracking was checked at my local tyre place and shown to be fine....so it's got me thinking.  Steering wheel is also dead centre and the cars not wandering.

 

I'll maybe get the tracking checked first to rule it out though.

Mine gets realigned after every Knockhill track day due to the landings and still does this 🤭😂

 

just learned to live with it tbh but I get my tyres at cost price. 

@AMD87

 

Urg, I'd be absolutely devastated

 

Hoping I can get to the bottom of this before I replace the tyres, as I was hoping to put some decent tyres on it....rather than the mish mash of random budget ones it has currently.   If not then I'll no doubt end up with 'Landsail' or similar until it's sorted lol.

Out of interest, I read elsewhere about certain kinds of speedbumps (the ones you drive over with wheels either side) causing (or at least exacerbating) inner edge wear.  Feasible? Or likely nonsense?  I'd have thought it would wear both tyres mind you, but perhaps I'm subconsciously ever so slightly further over on one side (or they're all made slightly taller on one side haha).

1 hour ago, TheRivieraKid said:

Out of interest, I read elsewhere about certain kinds of speedbumps (the ones you drive over with wheels either side) causing (or at least exacerbating) inner edge wear.  Feasible? Or likely nonsense? 

Possible but unlikely unless you drive over them literally all the time!

Based on that assumption, imagine the opposite effect caused by roundabouts and turning. This will increase wear to the outside edges. Over and under inflating tyres causes uneven treadler and this, along with control issues, is why the rules governing tyre pressure monitors came in to effect a few years back (Must be fitted to 2017-on vehicles, or there about. Don't quote that, just a guide).

 

As Jara stated, the most likely cause will be tracking as that can get knocked out by hitting kerbs, potholes, etc. You could also suffer different suspension issues, such as a bent shock, for example which if ever so slight, might just work ok but still make alignment a little difficult and not exact. Wear will be limited but still happen. 

As you mention suspect paint, on the side you have the wear, I think you may well be correct in suspecting other possibilities. I would start at the tracking though as many service centres or tracking specialists offer a free check, only charging for corrections. Whilst this won't meant the won't try and fail to check, it is a relatively cheap service, compared to some things and they may well swing you in the right direction, if there is another issue. 

Ask around a bit, for recommended tracking specialists. Always a good way to start!

@mrgf

 

Yeah I think I'll do the tracking checks first (good suggestion trying a few different places), and if it draws a blank, I'll just put some budget tyres on the front until I get to the bottom of it.

Yeah, uneven wear/tracking, etc will kill the tyre much quicker then normal. its cheaper to sort then keep buying new tyres!

I would check tracking, bushes, lower arms etc for damage or movement. If this shows up nothing then I would be looking at a 4-wheel alignment using a Hunter or similar piece of kit. Note that this is NOT tracking / “laser 4 wheel alignment”, but I’m. Or expecting you to need this with inner edge wear. 

Edited 25 July, 20205 yr by jars

...Get what you are saying Jars but I think most people refer to four well alignment as tracking... Hunter equipment is great, in the correct hands. 

33 minutes ago, mrgf said:

...Get what you are saying Jars but I think most people refer to four well alignment as tracking... Hunter equipment is great, in the correct hands. 

That’s kinda my point. I’ve spoken to a few people who think they’re both the same thing, which as we both know are not. 
 

Some places will check it and only charge for any adjustments, I they can be made. Again, I’m sensing you know this but others may not 

4 minutes ago, jars said:

 
 

Some places will check it and only charge for any adjustments, I they can be made. Again, I’m sensing you know this but others may not 

Yeah, I mentioned that in my first post but worth reiterating.

@TheRivieraKid

Be aware that cars of your age had a TPI for steering parts. So does the Service / Warranty history show work ever done and new parts fitted.

Then there are the many 'Pulling to the left' threads on here if you check.

The alignment of right hand drive cars was crap from the factory and many had an issue and instead of the alignment being corrected the Dunlop and Continental tyres were blamed and Pirelli Zero Nero fitted to disguise it.

 

Just have the Alignment and tracking check by someone that can actually correct it if needed.

 

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/420438-steering-rod-fed-up

 

7 minutes ago, mrgf said:

Yeah, I mentioned that in my first post but worth reiterating.

 

👍

54 minutes ago, Roottoot said:

@TheRivieraKid

Be aware that cars of your age had a TPI for steering parts. So does the Service / Warranty history show work ever done and new parts fitted.

Then there are the many 'Pulling to the left' threads on here if you check.

The alignment of right hand drive cars was crap from the factory and many had an issue and instead of the alignment being corrected the Dunlop and Continental tyres were blamed and Pirelli Zero Nero fitted to disguise it.

 

Just have the Alignment and tracking check by someone that can actually correct it if needed.

 

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/420438-steering-rod-fed-up

 

I’ll have a ganders after that. Cheers 🙂