Uneven tyre wear - front left wheel

Norbet · Mar 9, 2009

Had a go at the front pads this weekend and noticed that the passenger side front wheel is wearing unevenly (on the inside). All other wheels are fine.
Is this likely to be a tracking issue? Is the toe in/out adjustable on FL1's? Is it something that needs specialist equip (i.e main dealer) or can this be done at any tyre place?
Car appears to drive fine - it's not pulling to one side noticeably.
Steering bushes/track rod ends appeared fine (to me anyway).

Finally is this likely to result in premature failure of the tyre? The pattern on the inner track is almost gone - whereas elsewhere on the tyre there's plenty of tread. I'm guessing a replacement will be necessary sooner rather than later - but want to make sure the same doesn't happen to the new tyre. (235/60/18's - so not cheap!)

Cheers
N

andyb66 · Mar 9, 2009

Assuming that you don't have any wear in the track rod ends on that side then it does sound as if that wheel is toed out too much.

No special equipement is particularly needed in your case. I would undo the track rod end and adjust it one turn to correct the tracking.

If you are worried about it most tyre places will check you tracking for free, but will charge to have it corrected.

Norbet · Mar 9, 2009

andyb66 said:
Assuming that you don't have any wear in the track rod ends on that side then it does sound as if that wheel is toed out too much.

No special equipement is particularly needed in your case. I would undo the track rod end and adjust it one turn to correct the tracking.

If you are worried about it most tyre places will check you tracking for free, but will charge to have it corrected.

Thanks Andy - I'll have another look at the track rod ends this weekend - they don't appear split or perished (just compressed) but both sides look the same and one side is fine on tyre wear and there's nothing noticeable at the wheel so I'm assuming it's just an adjustment that's necessary.
Having said that I'll probably get the tracking checked at a tyre place as I've no idea which way to turn the nut to adjust.
I'm guessing even if they need replacing they're not too costly?

ianda12 · Mar 9, 2009

If your tracking is out it should wear both front tyres the same. Check for something that has upset the 'camber angle' on the passenger side.

andyb66 · Mar 10, 2009

ianda12 said:
If your tracking is out it should wear both front tyres the same. Check for something that has upset the 'camber angle' on the passenger side.

No you can have one wheel more toe'd out or in than the other. The TREs on the ends of the arms of the steering rack (in a Freelander) can be adjusted individually.

It is an entirely different setup to a 'normal' Land Rover.

However, it is possible that a worn suspension bush has cause the camber angle to change, but if it was causing a lot of uneven tyre wear then I would expect the owner to hear a noise or some additional evidence beyond tyre wear.

ianda12 · Mar 10, 2009

If one side is toed in or out more than the other, (as is normal when your tracking is out) you compensate when driving by holding the steering wheel slightly at an angle, this makes both sides out by the same amount. If you didn't and had held one wheel straight you would go round in circles. That is why both tyres normally wear and you can correct the tracking by adjusting only one side, but if its not the side that has been knocked out the steering wheel will not be straight when driving in a straight line.

garythegrass · Mar 10, 2009

inside wear is a roll bar wear out side edge is toe out roll bar is bush gone .toe is wheele elinemant needs doing 29pounds at ats centre.

Norbet · Mar 10, 2009

garythegrass said:
inside wear is a roll bar wear out side edge is toe out roll bar is bush gone .toe is wheele elinemant needs doing 29pounds at ats centre.

So what we're saying is that alignment is likely to be fine - but roll bar bushes are worn? Can this happen on just one side? Must I replace all roll bar bushes (how many are there?)
Is this likely to just be the bushes or the drop link section?

Cheers
N

ianda12 · Mar 11, 2009

It can happen on just one side. Check all bushes, compare them with the side thats OK, you should be able to find excessive play in the one thats causing the wear. (have you kerbed the car and bent anything ?)
Have you just brought the car ?

Norbet · Mar 11, 2009

ianda12 said:
It can happen on just one side. Check all bushes, compare them with the side thats OK, you should be able to find excessive play in the one thats causing the wear. (have you kerbed the car and bent anything ?)
Have you just brought the car ?

No no, had it while, 2 years now - as far as I'm aware it's not been kerbed - mind the missus does drive it sometimes

I'll have a look again at the weekend - thanks for your input!

Uneven tyre wear - front left wheel

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