Tyre Wear

"Richard Goulding" wrote in message

 >I have noticed that my front tyres are wearing more on the inside of the
 > tread than the outside. I don't think it is severe as the tyres have done
 > at
 > least 22,000 miles and they are still reasonable. I am going to replace
 > them
 > soon but wonder whether this wear pattern is something to worry about. I
 > do
 > not notice any particular handling problems apart from some tramlining
 > which
 > I put down to tyre wear. I know that I need to get the tracking checked
 > but
 > the car is an Audi A4 Quattro and I don't want some inexperienced tyre
 > fitter playing with my 4 wheel alignment. As I say it handles ok. I've had
 > suggestions that this could be due to Power steering also.
 >
 > Any comments please,
 >
 > Richard
 >
 > <<<<<< crossposted to alt.autos.audi, uk.rec.cars.maintenance >>>>>>
 >
 >
-------------------------------------------------
Ted Rubberford.
'The Man In The Red Latex Skintight Suit'
 >> Stay informed about: Tyre Wear 

Richard,
Wear on the inside of the tyres seems to indicate ball joint problems
cavsing excessive camber (tyre lean - top inwards). Depending on the
vintage of A4 there have been myriad problems with failing ball joints -
some have been covered by warranty, some by recall. I'd stop in at the
dealer and see if yovrs is covered.
Cheers!
Steve Sears
1987 Avdi 5kTQ
1980 Avdi 5k
1962 and '64 Avto Union DKW Jvnior deLvxes
(SPAM Blocker NOTE: Remove SHOES to reply)
"Richard Govlding" wrote in message
news:A8WcneBw4v16sl7cSa8jmA@karoo.co.vk...
 > I have noticed that my front tyres are wearing more on the inside of the
 > tread than the ovtside. I don't think it is severe as the tyres have done
at
 > least 22,000 miles and they are still reasonable. I am going to replace
them
 > soon bvt wonder whether this wear pattern is something to worry abovt. I
do
 > not notice any particvlar handling problems apart from some tramlining
which
 > I pvt down to tyre wear. I know that I need to get the tracking checked
bvt
 > the car is an Avdi A4 Qvattro and I don't want some inexperienced tyre
 > fitter playing with my 4 wheel alignment. As I say it handles ok. I've had
 > svggestions that this covld be dve to Power steering also.
 >
 > Any comments please,
 >
 > Richard
 >
 > <<<<<< crossposted to alt.avtos.avdi, vk.rec.cars.maintenance >>>>>>
 >
 >
 >> Stay informed about: Tyre Wear 

Richard Goulding wrote:
 > I have noticed that my front tyres are wearing more on the inside of
 > the tread than the outside. I don't think it is severe as the tyres
 > have done at least 22,000 miles and they are still reasonable. I am
 > going to replace them soon but wonder whether this wear pattern is
 > something to worry about. I do not notice any particular handling
 > problems apart from some tramlining which I put down to tyre wear. I
 > know that I need to get the tracking checked but the car is an Audi
 > A4 Quattro and I don't want some inexperienced tyre fitter playing
 > with my 4 wheel alignment. As I say it handles ok. I've had
 > suggestions that this could be due to Power steering also.

I'd be tempted to get it checked by an Audi dealer, an accident repair
company or a motorsport type place. They should have tracking gear that's
better than the average tyre fitting place has (I've been ringing around
today, and it doesn't seem many places check camber, just tracking). And 4WD
tracking sounds like it could be very complicated to me (adjustable rear
end?).
 >> Stay informed about: Tyre Wear 

On Sat, 18 Dec 2004 11:27:08 -0000, Doki wrote:

 >
 >
 > Richard Goulding wrote:
  >> I have noticed that my front tyres are wearing more on the inside of
  >> the tread than the outside. I don't think it is severe as the tyres
  >> have done at least 22,000 miles and they are still reasonable. I am
  >> going to replace them soon but wonder whether this wear pattern is
  >> something to worry about. I do not notice any particular handling
  >> problems apart from some tramlining which I put down to tyre wear. I
  >> know that I need to get the tracking checked but the car is an Audi
  >> A4 Quattro and I don't want some inexperienced tyre fitter playing
  >> with my 4 wheel alignment. As I say it handles ok. I've had
  >> suggestions that this could be due to Power steering also.
 >
 > I'd be tempted to get it checked by an Audi dealer, an accident repair
 > company or a motorsport type place. They should have tracking gear that's
 > better than the average tyre fitting place has (I've been ringing around
 > today, and it doesn't seem many places check camber, just tracking). And
 > 4WD
 > tracking sounds like it could be very complicated to me (adjustable rear
 > end?).
 >
 >


Depends on where you are but google for 4 wheel laser alignment locally
e.g. <a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://www.wallaceperformance.co.uk/rollingroad.html" target="_blank">http://www.wallaceperformance.co.uk/rollingroad.html</a>
& you should find someone who can do caster & camber.
 >> Stay informed about: Tyre Wear 

"Steve Sears" wrote in message

 > Richard,
 > Wear on the inside of the tyres seems to indicate ball joint problems
 > causing excessive camber (tyre lean - top inwards). Depending on the
 > vintage of A4 there have been myriad problems with failing ball joints -
 > some have been covered by warranty, some by recall. I'd stop in at the
 > dealer and see if yours is covered.
 > Cheers!
 > Steve Sears

Thanks for the reply.

The car is 2000 Audi A4 Quattro. I had an MOT done at the Audi dealer 2
months ago while the car was still under warranty and they did not find
anything wrong then. The problem was evident at the time.

Richard
 >> Stay informed about: Tyre Wear 

"Doki" wrote in message

 >
 >
 > Richard Goulding wrote:
  > > I have noticed that my front tyres are wearing more on the inside of
  > > the tread than the outside. I don't think it is severe as the tyres
  > > have done at least 22,000 miles and they are still reasonable. I am
  > > going to replace them soon but wonder whether this wear pattern is
  > > something to worry about. I do not notice any particular handling
  > > problems apart from some tramlining which I put down to tyre wear. I
  > > know that I need to get the tracking checked but the car is an Audi
  > > A4 Quattro and I don't want some inexperienced tyre fitter playing
  > > with my 4 wheel alignment. As I say it handles ok. I've had
  > > suggestions that this could be due to Power steering also.
 >
 > I'd be tempted to get it checked by an Audi dealer, an accident repair
 > company or a motorsport type place. They should have tracking gear that's
 > better than the average tyre fitting place has (I've been ringing around
 > today, and it doesn't seem many places check camber, just tracking). And
4WD
 > tracking sounds like it could be very complicated to me (adjustable rear
 > end?).
 >
 >
Thanks for the reply.

It is more complicated than just normal so I am reluctant to take it to a
tyre place. But Audi dealers charge ridiculous amounts ( I've heard up to
£200) for an alignment check. I want to avoid this if it turns out the wear
is 'normal'.

Richard
 >> Stay informed about: Tyre Wear 

"Richard Goulding" wrote in message

 >


  >>
  >>
  >> Richard Goulding wrote:
   >> > I have noticed that my front tyres are wearing more on the inside of
   >> > the tread than the outside. I don't think it is severe as the tyres
   >> > have done at least 22,000 miles and they are still reasonable. I am
   >> > going to replace them soon but wonder whether this wear pattern is
   >> > something to worry about. I do not notice any particular handling
   >> > problems apart from some tramlining which I put down to tyre wear. I
   >> > know that I need to get the tracking checked but the car is an Audi
   >> > A4 Quattro and I don't want some inexperienced tyre fitter playing
   >> > with my 4 wheel alignment. As I say it handles ok. I've had
   >> > suggestions that this could be due to Power steering also.
  >>
  >> I'd be tempted to get it checked by an Audi dealer, an accident repair
  >> company or a motorsport type place. They should have tracking gear that's
  >> better than the average tyre fitting place has (I've been ringing around
  >> today, and it doesn't seem many places check camber, just tracking). And
 > 4WD
  >> tracking sounds like it could be very complicated to me (adjustable rear
  >> end?).
  >>
  >>
 > Thanks for the reply.
 >
 > It is more complicated than just normal so I am reluctant to take it to a
 > tyre place. But Audi dealers charge ridiculous amounts ( I've heard up to
 > £200) for an alignment check. I want to avoid this if it turns out the
 > wear
 > is 'normal'.
 >
 > Richard
 >
Get a simple car like a Fiesta or something, you shouldn't buy a car that
you can't afford to run, expenses like this are part and parcel of having a
car which only a few years ago would have been able to compete in
international motorsport and win.

It is complex and this is why you have to pay a lot in maintenance.

mrcheerful
 >> Stay informed about: Tyre Wear 

On 2004-12-18, mrcheerful . wrote:
 >
 > Get a simple car like a Fiesta or something, you shouldn't buy a car that
 > you can't afford to run, expenses like this are part and parcel of having a
 > car which only a few years ago would have been able to compete in
 > international motorsport and win.
 >
 > It is complex and this is why you have to pay a lot in maintenance.

It seems that mrcheerful has a fiesta to be sold...

£50 (or 50e) should be enough for 4-wheel alignment.

--
Petri Rehtonen
 >> Stay informed about: Tyre Wear 

"mrcheerful ." wrote in message

 >


  > >


   > >>
   > >>
   > >> Richard Goulding wrote:
   > >> > I have noticed that my front tyres are wearing more on the inside of
   > >> > the tread than the outside. I don't think it is severe as the tyres
   > >> > have done at least 22,000 miles and they are still reasonable. I am
   > >> > going to replace them soon but wonder whether this wear pattern is
   > >> > something to worry about. I do not notice any particular handling
   > >> > problems apart from some tramlining which I put down to tyre wear. I
   > >> > know that I need to get the tracking checked but the car is an Audi
   > >> > A4 Quattro and I don't want some inexperienced tyre fitter playing
   > >> > with my 4 wheel alignment. As I say it handles ok. I've had
   > >> > suggestions that this could be due to Power steering also.
   > >>
   > >> I'd be tempted to get it checked by an Audi dealer, an accident repair
   > >> company or a motorsport type place. They should have tracking gear
that's
   > >> better than the average tyre fitting place has (I've been ringing
around
   > >> today, and it doesn't seem many places check camber, just tracking).
And
  > > 4WD
   > >> tracking sounds like it could be very complicated to me (adjustable
rear
   > >> end?).
   > >>
   > >>
  > > Thanks for the reply.
  > >
  > > It is more complicated than just normal so I am reluctant to take it to
a
  > > tyre place. But Audi dealers charge ridiculous amounts ( I've heard up
to
  > > £200) for an alignment check. I want to avoid this if it turns out the
  > > wear
  > > is 'normal'.
  > >
  > > Richard
  > >
 > Get a simple car like a Fiesta or something, you shouldn't buy a car that
 > you can't afford to run, expenses like this are part and parcel of having
a
 > car which only a few years ago would have been able to compete in
 > international motorsport and win.
 >
 > It is complex and this is why you have to pay a lot in maintenance.
 >
 > mrcheerful
 >
 >

Who said I couldn't afford it ? I just don't want to throw money away. A
different thing entirely.

So a road going A4 is similar to 'international motorsport winning car' ? I
don't think so !!

Richard
 >> Stay informed about: Tyre Wear 

"Richard Goulding" wrote in message

 >


  >>


   >> >


   >> >>
   >> >>
   >> >> Richard Goulding wrote:
   >> >> > I have noticed that my front tyres are wearing more on the inside of
   >> >> > the tread than the outside. I don't think it is severe as the tyres
   >> >> > have done at least 22,000 miles and they are still reasonable. I am
   >> >> > going to replace them soon but wonder whether this wear pattern is
   >> >> > something to worry about. I do not notice any particular handling
   >> >> > problems apart from some tramlining which I put down to tyre wear. I
   >> >> > know that I need to get the tracking checked but the car is an Audi
   >> >> > A4 Quattro and I don't want some inexperienced tyre fitter playing
   >> >> > with my 4 wheel alignment. As I say it handles ok. I've had
   >> >> > suggestions that this could be due to Power steering also.
   >> >>
   >> >> I'd be tempted to get it checked by an Audi dealer, an accident repair
   >> >> company or a motorsport type place. They should have tracking gear
 > that's
   >> >> better than the average tyre fitting place has (I've been ringing
 > around
   >> >> today, and it doesn't seem many places check camber, just tracking).
 > And
   >> > 4WD
   >> >> tracking sounds like it could be very complicated to me (adjustable
 > rear
   >> >> end?).
   >> >>
   >> >>
   >> > Thanks for the reply.
   >> >
   >> > It is more complicated than just normal so I am reluctant to take it to
 > a
   >> > tyre place. But Audi dealers charge ridiculous amounts ( I've heard up
 > to
   >> > £200) for an alignment check. I want to avoid this if it turns out the
   >> > wear
   >> > is 'normal'.
   >> >
   >> > Richard
   >> >
  >> Get a simple car like a Fiesta or something, you shouldn't buy a car that
  >> you can't afford to run, expenses like this are part and parcel of having
 > a
  >> car which only a few years ago would have been able to compete in
  >> international motorsport and win.
  >>
  >> It is complex and this is why you have to pay a lot in maintenance.
  >>
  >> mrcheerful
  >>
  >>
 >
 > Who said I couldn't afford it ? I just don't want to throw money away. A
 > different thing entirely.
 >
 > So a road going A4 is similar to 'international motorsport winning car' ?
 > I
 > don't think so !!
 >
 > Richard
 >
 >

what about:
1980

Hannu Mikkola leaves the opposition dumbstruck when Audi officially launches
the quattro on the Algarve Rally. Mikkola, running as a course car on the
quattro's first public outing, sets a searing pace. Had times counted
towards the event, the Audi would have won by 30 minutes!

1981

Franz Wittmann won the Austrian January Rally in the Audi quattro's first
competitive outing. Shortly afterwards, Hannu Mikkola clinched Audi's first
World Rally Championship win in Sweden. The Finnish driver also won the RAC
Rally in Great Britain. Michèle Mouton caused a sensation on the San Remo
Rally as an Audi works team driver, becoming the first woman ever to win a
World Rally Championship event.

1982

Michèle Mouton won the Portuguese, Acropolis and Brazilian World Rally
Championship events only narrowly missing out on the Drivers World
Championship title. Victories by her team-mates Hannu Mikkola in Finland and
Great Britain and by Stig Blomqvist in Sweden and Italy helped Audi to the
Manufacturers World Championship title.

1983

Wins in Sweden, Portugal, Argentina and Finland, meant Hannu Mikkola was
crowned World Rally Champion for the first time. Stig Blomqvist rounded off
a good season by winning the RAC Rally.

1984

Walter Röhrl started Audi's most successful year in rally competition by
winning in Monte Carlo. Team-mate Stig Blomqvist won the Drivers World
Championship title with wins in Sweden, Greece, New Zealand, Argentina and -
for the first time in an Audi Sport quattro - the Ivory Coast, proving
himself a worthy successor to Hannu Mikkola, who triumphed in Portugal. Audi
won the Manufacturers Trophy for the second time.



your car is a modern derivative of these

mrcheerful
 >> Stay informed about: Tyre Wear 

"mrcheerful ." wrote in message

 >


  > >


   > >>


   > >> >


   > >> >>
   > >> >>
   > >> >> Richard Goulding wrote:
   > >> >> > I have noticed that my front tyres are wearing more on the inside
of
   > >> >> > the tread than the outside. I don't think it is severe as the
tyres
   > >> >> > have done at least 22,000 miles and they are still reasonable. I
am
   > >> >> > going to replace them soon but wonder whether this wear pattern is
   > >> >> > something to worry about. I do not notice any particular handling
   > >> >> > problems apart from some tramlining which I put down to tyre wear.
I
   > >> >> > know that I need to get the tracking checked but the car is an
Audi
   > >> >> > A4 Quattro and I don't want some inexperienced tyre fitter playing
   > >> >> > with my 4 wheel alignment. As I say it handles ok. I've had
   > >> >> > suggestions that this could be due to Power steering also.
   > >> >>
   > >> >> I'd be tempted to get it checked by an Audi dealer, an accident
repair
   > >> >> company or a motorsport type place. They should have tracking gear
  > > that's
   > >> >> better than the average tyre fitting place has (I've been ringing
  > > around
   > >> >> today, and it doesn't seem many places check camber, just tracking).
  > > And
   > >> > 4WD
   > >> >> tracking sounds like it could be very complicated to me (adjustable
  > > rear
   > >> >> end?).
   > >> >>
   > >> >>
   > >> > Thanks for the reply.
   > >> >
   > >> > It is more complicated than just normal so I am reluctant to take it
to
  > > a
   > >> > tyre place. But Audi dealers charge ridiculous amounts ( I've heard
up
  > > to
   > >> > £200) for an alignment check. I want to avoid this if it turns out
the
   > >> > wear
   > >> > is 'normal'.
   > >> >
   > >> > Richard
   > >> >
   > >> Get a simple car like a Fiesta or something, you shouldn't buy a car
that
   > >> you can't afford to run, expenses like this are part and parcel of
having
  > > a
   > >> car which only a few years ago would have been able to compete in
   > >> international motorsport and win.
   > >>
   > >> It is complex and this is why you have to pay a lot in maintenance.
   > >>
   > >> mrcheerful
   > >>
   > >>
  > >
  > > Who said I couldn't afford it ? I just don't want to throw money away. A
  > > different thing entirely.
  > >
  > > So a road going A4 is similar to 'international motorsport winning car'
?
  > > I
  > > don't think so !!
  > >
  > > Richard
  > >
  > >
 >
 > what about:
 > 1980
 >
 > Hannu Mikkola leaves the opposition dumbstruck when Audi officially
launches
 > the quattro on the Algarve Rally. Mikkola, running as a course car on the
 > quattro's first public outing, sets a searing pace. Had times counted
 > towards the event, the Audi would have won by 30 minutes!
 >
 > 1981
 >
 > Franz Wittmann won the Austrian January Rally in the Audi quattro's first
 > competitive outing. Shortly afterwards, Hannu Mikkola clinched Audi's
first
 > World Rally Championship win in Sweden. The Finnish driver also won the
RAC
 > Rally in Great Britain. Michèle Mouton caused a sensation on the San Remo
 > Rally as an Audi works team driver, becoming the first woman ever to win a
 > World Rally Championship event.
 >
 > 1982
 >
 > Michèle Mouton won the Portuguese, Acropolis and Brazilian World Rally
 > Championship events only narrowly missing out on the Drivers World
 > Championship title. Victories by her team-mates Hannu Mikkola in Finland
and
 > Great Britain and by Stig Blomqvist in Sweden and Italy helped Audi to the
 > Manufacturers World Championship title.
 >
 > 1983
 >
 > Wins in Sweden, Portugal, Argentina and Finland, meant Hannu Mikkola was
 > crowned World Rally Champion for the first time. Stig Blomqvist rounded
off
 > a good season by winning the RAC Rally.
 >
 > 1984
 >
 > Walter Röhrl started Audi's most successful year in rally competition by
 > winning in Monte Carlo. Team-mate Stig Blomqvist won the Drivers World
 > Championship title with wins in Sweden, Greece, New Zealand, Argentina
and -
 > for the first time in an Audi Sport quattro - the Ivory Coast, proving
 > himself a worthy successor to Hannu Mikkola, who triumphed in Portugal.
Audi
 > won the Manufacturers Trophy for the second time.
 >
 >
 >
 > your car is a modern derivative of these
 >
 > mrcheerful
 >
since with the possible exception ( and I doubt it wholeheartedly) of the
first example none of these is a group N (or equivalent, its been a long
time group1 I think in those heady days) showroom category car all the
others will be homologation rally specials with a very limited production
and trick items like fully adjustable rose jointed suspension outsize
turbochargers not at all derivative of road going cars. They bear bout the
same resemblance to the A4 as my Escort XR3i does to the Escort RS 1600 mk1
and remember 1880s audi quattro -100 /80 different body shells engines
boxes same name.Richards question is entirely valid is it a normal wear
under certain conditions? geometry check at a tyre depot? ROFL take a tip
when you get home check they tightened your wheel nuts thats often the level
of service.Its a shame that dealers treat routine checks as a milch cow I'd
look around for an independant explain your problem and ask if they can deal
Derek


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.816 / Virus Database: 554 - Release Date: 14/12/2004
 >> Stay informed about: Tyre Wear 

In article , nospam.RemoveThis@nospam.net
says...
 > I have noticed that my front tyres are wearing more on the inside of the
 > tread than the outside. I don't think it is severe as the tyres have done at
 > least 22,000 miles and they are still reasonable. I am going to replace them
 > soon but wonder whether this wear pattern is something to worry about. I do
 > not notice any particular handling problems apart from some tramlining which
 > I put down to tyre wear. I know that I need to get the tracking checked but
 > the car is an Audi A4 Quattro and I don't want some inexperienced tyre
 > fitter playing with my 4 wheel alignment. As I say it handles ok. I've had
 > suggestions that this could be due to Power steering also.
 >
 > Any comments please,
 >

When I was running a Honda Civic VTi (170BHP ish). I was told by the
dealer on delivery to expect that sort of wear and it looked to be set
up to wear that way (and saw it). It didn't half stick when cornering so
I assume the entire flat of the tyre went into play at that point. Maybe
it is a deliberate manufactuerer setup since a 'quattro' spec is going
to be more to teh performance end of the range. Check with your dealer
if this is normal behaviour.

Warwick
 >> Stay informed about: Tyre Wear 

"Richard Goulding" wrote in message

 > I have noticed that my front tyres are wearing more on the inside of the
 > tread than the outside. I don't think it is severe as the tyres have done
at
 > least 22,000 miles and they are still reasonable. I am going to replace
them
 > soon but wonder whether this wear pattern is something to worry about. I
do
 > not notice any particular handling problems apart from some tramlining
which
 > I put down to tyre wear. I know that I need to get the tracking checked
but
 > the car is an Audi A4 Quattro and I don't want some inexperienced tyre
 > fitter playing with my 4 wheel alignment. As I say it handles ok. I've had
 > suggestions that this could be due to Power steering also.
 >
 > Any comments please,
 >
 > Richard
 >
 > <<<<<< crossposted to alt.autos.audi, uk.rec.cars.maintenance >>>>>>
 >
 >

First of all thanks for the replies.

Just had a service done today and I got them to check my inner tyre wear.
They reported that there was wear on the outer side as well. I did not
really notice this too much but I am no expert. They checked the wheel
alignment and suspension said it was absolutely spot-on not just within
tolerance. I assume this is due to under inflation but I keep my tyres up to
specification so I am a bit confused. I guess it is nothing to worry about
though when purchasing new tyres soon.

Any comments about this.

Thanks in advance.

Richard
 >> Stay informed about: Tyre Wear