Uneven Tyre Wear

[sri/cdti/150]

Hey guys, I'm after some advice -

I've just had a new pair of tyres fitted on the front on my Vectra.

I knew the old ones were bold, but when they were removed, it became apparent of some appaulling uneven wear on the insides of both tyres. I'm a bit annoyed with myself for not seeing it sooner. The guy laser tracked it up for me and it appeared to be perfectly tracked without any slight adjustment needed.

The tyre fitted suggested maybe the shocked had gone slack, or I'd been driving like a loon and cornering like a mad man. I certainly haven't been driving like that, and after speaking to my mechanic, he says the results from sloppy suspension would be uneven were right across the tyre not just the inside.

I've only had the car about 6 months, and my thought is they previous owner was driving like a mad man, or he had it re-tracked before selling it. But I'd have thought in the 6 months I'd owned it, with it in track, and driven carefully, that the tyre wear should have evened back up somewhat.

I'll be keeping a close eye on my new tyres over the weeks, but I was just wondering if anyone else had had any similar problems, and if so what was the cause of it?

Cheers all in advance

[yoclick]

When standard 2-wheel tracking is done, its done of the basis of the rear wheels. However on the vectra, the rear wheels also have adjustment. So I think im right in saying that if your rear wheels are not correctly aligned, then a standard alignment could lead to misleading results.

I would see if you can take it for a full 4 wheel alignment (http://alignmycar.co.uk/). There are some places that will do a check for free so call around your local tyre specialists and see if any offer this.

[sri/cdti/150]

Thanks for that information, but the tracking was 4 wheel laser tracking, and everything was perfect, so it would appear that's not the problem.

I've just noticed this topic should have gone in the trouble shooting section, not this modifying section. If someone could move that would be great - my apologies

[m8internet]

Sounds like the rear tyres were on the car for a long time, then swapped to the front

Swap the new tyres to the rear, old tyres to the front, on replacement
This will even the wear

As above, have a full four wheel alignment carried out, nut just the tracking

[gtr1000]

Thanks for that information, but the tracking was 4 wheel laser tracking, and everything was perfect, so it would appear that's not the problem.

I've just noticed this topic should have gone in the trouble shooting section, not this modifying section. If someone could move that would be great - my apologies

For the definition of "laser tracking", have a look at http://www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk/tec...ignsystems.php and see what you you could have done in the future.

Basically, if the rears are out, then the front wheels will be out as well.

Alignmycar web site does NOT recommend or endorse garages. They simply list garages where the Hunter equipment is insatalled.

[m8internet]

Alignmycar web site does NOT recommend or endorse garages. They simply list garages where the Hunter equipment is insatalled

I have noticed that some garages are taking advantage of this, and Kwik Fit are one outlet that appear to be doing so

You phone up or drive in for "alignment check"
They quote you the price for the alignment using Hunters equipment (which they do have) but only use the SuperTracker and check the tracking only

I noticed my local Kwik Fit now has this equipment
When I asked how much to use with my vehicle settings, they advised they only had generic settings for a Vectra (I've now heard that from four outlets)
So always check they are using the specific settings and NOT the generic ones (ie they have paid for the licence)

[sri/cdti/150]

Oh heck, I didn't realise all that. It was a full 4 wheel check, but maybe it wasn't as thorough or as correct as I thought.

I'll keep a close eye on them over the next few weeks, and if they look to be wearing unevenly again, I'll go to my nearest garage on the website you guys kindly gave me.

Living in the country, the nearest garage is about 25-30 miles away, but the trip would be worth it.

Cheers

[m8internet]

If they are using Hunters equipment, then they should give you a printout at end
It has the vehicle specification at the top
The upper diagram has the settings before, check for any arrows that are red / warning
The lower diagram has the settings afterwards, all the arrows should be green / OK

If they didn't give you such a printout, then it may have been a simple four wheel tracking check and adjustment

My nearest centre is 5 miles, but when I presented my vehicle I found they were going to use the generic settings for a Vectra; 2002 - 2006 sports suspension
I therefore declined and made an appointment at a different centre
They entered my registration number and confirmed the suspension setup matched the vehicle; 2005 hatchback, Y30DT engine with sports suspension

[rogerd]

HI mate

I have exactly the same problem and have had the tracking checked twice and the latest thing I have tried is the camber settings and like the tracking they were spot on so dont waste money on that like I did. I would be keen like you to find out more about this. Have you ever had any knocking from the front like the steering rack? I had this then it completely disapeared I am not sure if it is related. I had no previious issues with the tyres and then suddenly it started. All the best I might see if the camber settings involved the tracking of the rear wheels as well. I heard that might have something to do with it

Hey guys, I'm after some advice -

I've just had a new pair of tyres fitted on the front on my Vectra.

I knew the old ones were bold, but when they were removed, it became apparent of some appaulling uneven wear on the insides of both tyres. I'm a bit annoyed with myself for not seeing it sooner. The guy laser tracked it up for me and it appeared to be perfectly tracked without any slight adjustment needed.

The tyre fitted suggested maybe the shocked had gone slack, or I'd been driving like a loon and cornering like a mad man. I certainly haven't been driving like that, and after speaking to my mechanic, he says the results from sloppy suspension would be uneven were right across the tyre not just the inside.

I've only had the car about 6 months, and my thought is they previous owner was driving like a mad man, or he had it re-tracked before selling it. But I'd have thought in the 6 months I'd owned it, with it in track, and driven carefully, that the tyre wear should have evened back up somewhat.

I'll be keeping a close eye on my new tyres over the weeks, but I was just wondering if anyone else had had any similar problems, and if so what was the cause of it?

Cheers all in advance

[Torque]

Already been said but yeh, laser tracking is pretty much a waste of time on the Vectra.