Uneven Tyre Wear

[Bristol S60]

Hi,

I had my tyres changed last time just after the 24k mile service and they were worn on the inside of the tread (both the same). I had to replace the tyres then as they were illegal and was also charged £50 by the stealer to have a full 4 wheel alignment check done. Apparently both front tyres had toe in which caused them to wear on the insides.

This was done in October, and I have done 14k miles since then on the new tyres. Now havng again checked them, these new ones are now wearing on the inside too. Does this always happen on the S60?

It's a MY'05 D5SE if that helps. I've not had any other car before do this, so am a bit confused and annoyed that I will have to have a 4 wheel alignment check every 6 months or so.

I'm doing mostly motorway mileage so no off-roading so there's no reason I can see for the tyres to wear in this way.

Any thoughts from anyone?

Cheers

James

[Bristol S60]

Sorry - just been reading through the other topics, could this symptom be caused by the bushes and are these replaceable under warranty?

The car moves and wanders all over the place, but I put that down to 17" wheels?

[blues60]

Unless you have done a lot of miles I find it hard to believe a car as young as yours would have worn out the bushes. Might be worth checking them but I doubt it. Mine went at 60K.
I have been told that the S60 does scrub the inside but it should not be severe. How badly worn are the edges?

[Bristol S60]

Hi Mate

Thanks for the reply - the car has done 39k miles now - mostly motorway. The insides are now getting illegal whereas the rest of the tyre has a good 3.5 mm tread left - exactly the same as before.

I've booked it in to see the stealer Friday and he said if the tracking/toe in is out then it will cost another £50 to put right. I paid that last time, and refuse to pay £50 every 12k miles. Also the cost of premature wear on tyres and this isn't cheap!! I've asked them to check the suspension and bushes, but I worry whether or not anything will be done.

James

[mhon72]

Welcome to the forum.
The S60 does seem to need its tracking/alingment checked more than previous cars I've owned. The state of our roads and traffic calming measures seem to be a very good cause.
I always keep an eye on the wear pattern of the tyres and would get the tracking checked whenever you put new tyres on it.
Unfortunately, your dealer will charge each time as they count this as an adjustment and not a warranty item (unless a suspension part is replaced which would require them to set the tracking up.)
Are you from Bristol?
If so, go to Protyre in Lawrence Hill to get your new treads. I'd recommend the Goodyear F1 GS-D3 at under £100 each fitted. Much better than the Pirelli P6000s you have probably got now. Whilst there, they can check your tracking on their fancy jig for free, if it needs tweaking they'll charge about £23 to adjust each axle.

[Bristol S60]

Thanks,

Yes I know protyre, I used tyhem for 2 tryes for the missus's RX8 last year. They were very good.

I changed the standard P6000 last time to Contiental Contact Sport 2. It made a huge difference to the ride and noise, but still had the tramlining issue and this problem with the inner wear.

The problem is that just having the tracking looked at is fine and I always have that done on replacing new tyres, but this problem is symptomatis of toe-in, so needs to have a full four wheel alignment inc camber and toe. This will cost a lot more than just tracking. I can just about stomach £20 quid each time, but not £50 on top of £100 a corner for each tyre and every 14k miles.

Nice car though!

James

[mjm295]

Originally Posted by blues60

Unless you have done a lot of miles I find it hard to believe a car as young as yours would have worn out the bushes.

Mine went very early, got them changed on warranty at about 30K But they were gone well before that.

[blues60]

Originally Posted by mjm295

Mine went very early, got them changed on warranty at about 30K But they were gone well before that.

I'd agree with that, it has to be the bushes. I didn't realise that those oil filled bushes could fail so early. I guess that as the T5 has slightly firmer suspension it must accellerate the problem. There is no way you should be scrubbing a set of tyres that quickly unless you do track days every weekend!

[Bristol S60]

Thanks Guys,


I've just come back from Protyre and they have done a 4 wheel alignment check and shock horror - it is well out again.

I have driven 300 miles since the alignment was done at MRG last night, A38 north Bristol, M4, M25, M1 and back again.

There is something seriously amiss with this car as I have been telling them for the last two years. I don't think they are trying to fob me off though, nor are they pulling a fast one, I just don't think they have seen this before.

I have just e-mailed the report from Protyre to MRG Volvo and will see what they reckon. Out of alignment again within 22 hours

Thanks and will post any update.

James

Just had the same problem at 20k miles on a set of tyres where the inside tread had worn down to the carcass !! I am getting the alignment checked out at specialist in Swindon. Hopefully it will be less than £50 and any adjustment will last longer than a few 1000 miles.