PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE HELP! 2008 Mazda 3

Iceweasel

Trillionaire wrote: »

My hubby changed the tyres today as he said they were illegal.

Unfortunately without a picture we have nothing to analyze now,

A tracking or suspension fault will not wear the tyres down evenly and smoothly, equally over the entire width of the tread.

A picture would have helped a lot.

Best to just get a 4 wheel tracking done and keep your fingers crossed.

Trillionaire

Iceweasel wrote: »

Unfortunately without a picture we have nothing to analyze now,

A tracking or suspension fault will not wear the tyres down evenly and smoothly, equally over the entire width of the tread.

A picture would have helped a lot.

Best to just get a 4 wheel tracking done and keep your fingers crossed.

My hubby said that the wear was even but I'm going to INSIST:rotfl: that he reads this forum!

I'm going to get the alignment done next week & post back here. I've found all comments (mostly) helpful so thank you ALL for your comments & suggestions.

Trillionaire

A tracking or suspension fault will not wear the tyres down evenly and smoothly, equally over the entire width of the tread.

Wouldn't a suspension fault show up at Service & MOT?

Iceweasel

Trillionaire wrote: »

A tracking or suspension fault will not wear the tyres down evenly and smoothly, equally over the entire width of the tread.

Wouldn't a suspension fault show up at Service & MOT?

Not necessarily - wear or damage probably would - but mis-alignment probably would not.

Mis-alignment could be caused by hitting a kerb or a pot-hole.

See here for some examples of unusual tread wear:

http://www.procarcare.com/includes/content/resourcecenter/encyclopedia/ch25/25readtirewear.html

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=uneven+tread+wear+on+rear+tires&espv=210&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=fQIuU5TGCMHT7AbU8IGoBg&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAg&biw=1366&bih=667#imgdii=_

But as I said before - equal even wear over the entire surface is unlikely to be caused by suspension or tracking problems.

Faults usually give uneven or 'squint' treadwear, where one side or part wears out early.

[Deleted User]

Iceweasel wrote: »

Not necessarily - wear or damage probably would - but mis-alignment probably would not.

It definitely wouldn't.

The MOT doesn't include a tracking check and, so long as the tyres aren't worn below the legal limit, they won't cause a fail either.

As a matter of routine, I get my tyre fitter to check the tracking, whenever I have new tyres fitted to a car, whether the old ones show signs of uneven wear, or not.

Iceweasel

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

It definitely wouldn't.

The MOT doesn't include a tracking check and, so long as the tyres aren't worn below the legal limit, they won't cause a fail either.

As a matter of routine, I get my tyre fitter to check the tracking, whenever I have new tyres fitted to a car, whether the old ones show signs of uneven wear, or not.

Just to clarify - what I meant was that the results of misalignment or a suspension problem (other than damage or excessive wear) - might be evident - but as bedsit Bob points out - it wouldn't be checked, corrected or even commented on as long as the tyres and suspension were legal.

A decent garage service mechanic should bring such things to the owner's attention - but these days the 'spotty yoofs' are just ticking boxes on a clip-board sheet, and couldn't care less.

AdrianC

Trillionaire wrote: »

A tracking or suspension fault will not wear the tyres down evenly and smoothly, equally over the entire width of the tread.

Wouldn't a suspension fault show up at Service & MOT?

No. The MOT inspects very limited areas, primarily for play in joints rather than for things being bent or out of adjustment, and doesn't check the tracking in any way.

A service focusses on very specific consumable items, with a quick once-around for any obvious problems. Again, tracking is not checked.

Trillionaire

I had the wheel alignment done today at a Dealership service centre (not Mazda). Bear in mind that I told the guy the problem that I was having with my REAR tyres.:mad:

The * is used instead of the degree o as I don't know where to find it on my keyboard to type it!

BEFORE

Left Front Right Front

Camber -1*08 -1*08

Caster 1*35 1*36
Toe -0*10 -0*10

Total Toe -0*20
Steer Ahead 0*00


Left Rear Right Rear
Camber -2*06 -1*33
Toe 0*11 -0*02

Total Toe 0*09
Thrust Angle 0*07


AFTER

Left Front Right Front

Camber -1*07 -1*08

Caster 1*35 1*36
Toe 0*08 0*07

Total Toe 0*15
Steer Ahead 0*00

Left Rear Right Rear
Camber -2*06 -1*34
Toe 0*11 -0*02

Total Toe 0*09
Thrust Angle 0*07

Trillionaire

Would it just be simpler to change the entire wheels?

Trillionaire

Basically, because the totals for the rear were in the 'green' nothing wasn't done to them EVEN THOUGH I paid for a 4 wheel alignment (not two!) and the rear wheels have diffent totals!!!!!