Inside wear on one front tyre

[Stuart231]

Hi Everybody, I'm a new member so bare with me on this.

My 2017  tdi Octavia estate is suffering from inner tyre wear from one of the front tyres.I have had the tracking checked at 2 different tyre garages, and both say exactly the same thing. It is very slightly out, but altering the alignment and making it right with the equipment,  will cause more wear from the inside of the tyre that's the problem....I have had all the suspension checked at another garage as well as it just going through its MOT....and not a problem......the car runs smooth and straight with no pull to one side whatsoever...Thinking now to go to a 4 wheel alignment place, but am i wasting money ? Rear tyres are spot on.....Any ideas anybody ? 

[Gaz]

Hello Stuart 

 

So having the tracking corrected is going to increase tyre wear?? 🙄  I think you need to go to a different garage (without knowing any mitigating factors that validate this opinion).

 

IMO four wheel tracking (Hunter perhaps) is not a waste of money, and you'll likely get a better report and indication of what's going on.

 

It's odd that only one tyre is affected.  Could it be this tyre is a left over from when tracking was previously out, and has since been corrected?

 

Gaz

 

Edited 24 April by Gaz
Had a thought

[Warrior193]

11 minutes ago, Gaz said:

Hello Stuart 

 

So having the tracking corrected is going to increase tyre wear?? 🙄  I think you need to go to a different garage (without knowing any mitigating factors that validate this opinion).

 

IMO four wheel tracking (Hunter perhaps) is not a waste of money, and you'll likely get a better report and indication of what's going on.

 

It's odd that only one tyre is affected.  Could it be this tyre is a left over from when tracking was previously out, and has since been corrected?

 

Gaz

 

Or a little too much negative camber on the affected wheel?

[SurreyJohn]

If the tyre is already worn, changing alignment and tracking should fix further uneven wear, but won't obviously sort the unevenly worn tyre.

 

I don't know how badly worn it is, but consider getting the wheels swapped around.

 

I would definitely get the car properly realigned on a Hunter type rig, although if some work to realign has already been done, might already be not as bad (or perhaps worse if they messed it up further)

 

 

[Stuart231]

Thanks for the replies....

Both garages have said that re alignment of the front wheels are going to move the affected wheel even more, so it will increase inner wear...so in other words the wrong way you would think.....but to move it the other way, as you would think to correct it, the alignment mirrors they use will be a mile out, as they say...! ..both respectable local tyre garages used...........Does the old fashioned alignment method detect camber ? Maybe not.....so I reckon I will have to bite the bullet and go to my local ATS and pay for a full tracking check......☹️☹️☹️

[Stuart231]

Just one more question good people...

Does the octavia have a solid rear axle ? Can you alter  the alignment  at the back ? Don't want them to try and push 4 wheel alignment on me if it's not possible.....you know what some garages are like.....

[Warrior193]

The 1.4/1.5 has torsion bar rear suspension, VRS has full IRS.

[Warrior193]

I think that even with the TB rear suspension, there is some, limited alignment possible (camber?) - but nothing like as much as the IRS.

[Paws4Thot]

15 hours ago, Stuart231 said:

My 2017  tdi Octavia estate is suffering from inner tyre wear from one of the front tyres.

The last time I saw an issue like this, the underlying problem was a worn out lower ball joint at the affected side.

[Ootohere]

@Stuart231 

Welcome.

 

They were not Tyre Garages were they, were they Tyre & Exhaust Fitting Centres with 'Fitters' or did the MOT tester have a look under the car to see if any work was needed? 

 

Best get any work done by a mechanic / Garage before and Checking or Adjustments are paid for. 

Adjusting worn suspension or steering is no 'simple clever'.  Work first if needed.

 

 

As to ATS Euromaster, First you best check their equipment is actually working. Then the trained staff member is available, then that they can actually make the required adjustment.

 

& you need a new tyre or 2 or 4 most likely. 

Edited 25 April by Rooted

[Stuart231]

Thanks people, much appreciated for the replies. Going to take it to a trusted mechanic to check all steering and suspension parts, then possibly to my local ATS for tracking and tyres....

[PetrolDave]

54 minutes ago, Stuart231 said:

then possibly to my local ATS for tracking and tyres....

I'd suggest taking it to a more reputable tyre place than ATS, somewhere with a proper laser 4 wheel alignment tester and technicians properly trained how to use it.

 

Too far for you but when I lived in Hampshire I would always go to Micheldever Tyres, but now they're part of Protyre I'm not so sure (had a bad experience with Protyre in Westbury).

Edited 25 April by PetrolDave

[nta16]

You could ask on the appropriate Octavia forum on this site if it's a known issue with your model.

 

Porsche used to do the best alignment set ups as all their technicians had to be trained fully as Porsche model(s) at the time had problems that were difficult to resolve at the time but they are expensive.  There are plenty of specialist suspension places about but some are better trained or knowledgeable about suspensions than others and garages that deal in general car mechanics might know more and better.  Modifying, motorsport places places that deal with VW cars might not be as expensive as you think for proper four wheel alignment, they need to pay for the equipment and keep their staff with quick easy revenue work to do. 

 

For you taking your car to a trusted god mechanic is your first best move to check for worn or damaged parts (and very unlikely but it's possible to have a tyre that wears unevenly too).

 

Many 'tyre places' can play around with alignment figures and suggest or show adjustments at a level that may not be possible to correct on a mass market street car or going down a few potholes or tap with a BFH could just about give the plus or minus increments they say are of concern.

 

Edited 25 April by nta16
missing words