Hi all.
I have recently bought a Fabia MK1, which has not been maintained very well by its previous owner. I got it cheap as it didn't pass inspection (due to the handbrake, but that is fixed).
I thought it could be a fun project, and if I get it to run well it might replace my saab 9-5 and reduce my gasoline costs

I haven't driven the car much, as it is not inspected not insured, but I didn't feel anything strange when I drove it. It keeps straight on the road and the steering is fine. But the front right tire is very worn down on its inner side.
the front left tire is also worn more on the inner side, but not as much as the front-right one.

I will take it for inspection soon, and ask them to have a extra look on steering / suspension.
Is there any stuff you recommend me to check myself first? i.e. something often causing this on the fabia?
I am thinking of manually measuring in toe-in/out, any suggestions here? What are the recommended values?
Checking suspension?

All ideas appreciated
 

1 hour ago, pacmyc said:

front right tire is very worn down on its inner side.
the front left tire is also worn more on the inner side

Tracking is out, suspension is slammed or both.

Check the tyre pressures, , suspension springs are not broken, tracking.

 

I always put new tyres on the front if the tyres are low and going for tracking. You know then the tracking done and the new tyres any wear you know right away.

I found a crack in the lower control arm bushing.. Is this enough to cause very uneven wear you think?
 

bushing1.mkv

9 minutes ago, pacmyc said:

I found a crack in the lower control arm bushing.. Is this enough to cause very uneven wear you think?

Definitely; the toe angle could be all over the place under acceleration and under braking.

Best idea is to refit the wheel (if removed currently), recruit an assistant equipped with gloves and then ask them to rock the wheel about its vertical axis, holding it at 9 and 3 o'clock, while you watch how much movement there really is at that pin/bush interface (video it for later reference).  Then repeat on the other side as a comparison.

 

Just noticed the pry-bar video; that doesn't look like much movement to me. Compare to other side.

 

Edited 16 April, 20233 yr by Breezy_Pete

6 hours ago, KenONeill said:

Definitely; the toe angle could be all over the place under acceleration and under braking.

Sorry I was a little sloppy and forgot to mention the attached video. Did you reply to the post in regards to the video, or just to the written question in text?

52 minutes ago, pacmyc said:

Sorry I was a little sloppy and forgot to mention the attached video. Did you reply to the post in regards to the video, or just to the written question in text?

I didn't look at the video, but a pry bar will not apply the same sorts of dynamic loads as the car will.

10 hours ago, Breezy_Pete said:

Best idea is to refit the wheel (if removed currently), recruit an assistant equipped with gloves and then ask them to rock the wheel about its vertical axis, holding it at 9 and 3 o'clock, while you watch how much movement there really is at that pin/bush interface (video it for later reference).  Then repeat on the other side as a comparison.

 

Just noticed the pry-bar video; that doesn't look like much movement to me. Compare to other side.

 

Thanks. I tried it. When rocking the wheels as you described that bushing / pin doesn't move at all on either of the sides.
And I don't think its any play in the steering ball joint neither. When the steering wheel is locked you can rock it a little, but the klonk-sound comes from firther inside, steering gear..? so I think those are nice.

I also tested prying the control arm bushing on the opposite side the same way as the first one, and it was more solid.. But still as you said, it doesn't move much. When comparing with ppl on youtube that replace the bushing, mine still looks OK.

I wonder if the wheels are just not parallel. 

Spend a bit of time going backwards and forwards a few metres on a really nice flat surface, aiming to get your driver's side front wheel pointing perfectly straight forwards. Then go around and look at what angle the other front wheel is relative to the car as a whole.

The eye is really sensitive to detecting 'not straight'.

 

Or take it to a place that does 'free' alignment checks, if that exists in your country.

Edited 16 April, 20233 yr by Breezy_Pete
Sp