Fri 25 May 2007 11:48 Mk4 Fiesta Tyre Wear.... - karlbbb

Hi all. I have a problem with a Mk4 ('96, 1.25l 16v Zetec engine) Fiesta. The front passenger tyre is wearing quite badly just on the inside of the tyre. I've twice bumped into a kerb with the tyre (one pretty hideously, and one in the snow; both times destroying the actual wheel). After the first time I had it tracked, and after the second time I took it in again after I noticed the tyre wear. Thee guy at the garage said the tracking was bob on. It's about, say, 1" worth of the tyre around the inside that wears down to bald. There is also a constant wobble present on the wheel, especially when you turn to the left or right ever so slightly, as pressure is applied to the steering system. The steering wheel used to shake quite badly on the motorway, but the wheels needed balancing. I've since swapped the front and back wheels, and the motorway steering shake has disappeared (both of the wheels are balanced), but this new wobble is there. With the tracking bob on, and both wheels balanced, is it likely that I've bent something? Cheers. Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Fri 25 May 2007 13:17 Mk4 Fiesta Tyre Wear.... - RichardW

"I've twice bumped into a kerb with the tyre (one pretty hideously, and one in the snow; both times destroying the actual wheel)" and "is it likely that I've bent something" Very, I would have said. Time to get it down the body shop and get the whole chassis alignment checked properly. Having said that, I'm sure it's these cars that eat the bushes in the front suspension. -- RichardW Is it illogical? It must be Citroen.... Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Fri 25 May 2007 13:30 Mk4 Fiesta Tyre Wear.... - karlbbb

The suspension has started clunking recently, possibly front and back, and one of the visible bushes looks pretty worn (it's all torn and perishing). Could a bush cause wear like this on just one tyre? Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Fri 25 May 2007 14:11 Mk4 Fiesta Tyre Wear.... - Saltrampen

Front lower suspension arm bushes and Anti roll bar bushes go on these models much sooner than other cars. My 97 Mark IV Fiesta 1.25 had them replaced at 7 years old or 55k. I guess it could wear one tyre if it has gone on one side, but maybe a tyre expert could confirm this. - I blame speed humps... Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Fri 25 May 2007 16:27 Mk4 Fiesta Tyre Wear.... - Simon

Its most likely to be a worn/bent suspension component causing the problem. How many miles does it take to eat through a tyre? Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Fri 25 May 2007 17:49 Mk4 Fiesta Tyre Wear.... - karlbbb

I'll say about 2,000 miles to completely bald the inner shoulder of the tyre. Possibly less. Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Fri 25 May 2007 18:26 Mk4 Fiesta Tyre Wear.... - Simon

Something is definitely bent. There is more to wheel alignment that just the tracking you know. Maybe you need a garge to check the camber angle of the wheel on that side. Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Fri 25 May 2007 18:34 Mk4 Fiesta Tyre Wear.... - mss1tw

Did the same in my old Fiesta. Had new lower arms too but something was always amiss afterwards. Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Fri 25 May 2007 19:07 Mk4 Fiesta Tyre Wear.... - Simon

Are all of the replacement bottom arms the same length? I've got a feeling that some Fiesta bottom arms are slightly longer than others - such as the Fiesta Turbo ones. There is a very slim chance that someone could have fitted the wrong part. Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Fri 25 May 2007 19:25 Mk4 Fiesta Tyre Wear.... - karlbbb

This wasn't a problem before I had my moments of stupidity, and nothing has been replaced, therefore I doubt it. I will have to see about gettin into a garage for a full aligment check (I went in only for tracking). Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Fri 25 May 2007 22:48 Mk4 Fiesta Tyre Wear.... - bell boy

bottom arm may well be bent or more likely a steering arm take it to a mechanic whom you trust and ask him to check these two items,also get him to confirm the rack hasnt literally been ripped from its moorings at one side allowing it to adjust the geometry on one side more than the other by the way ,could be dangerous---------do it soon :-) please Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Sat 26 May 2007 13:34 Mk4 Fiesta Tyre Wear.... - mss1tw

get him to confirm the rack hasnt literally been ripped from its moorings at one side :-o Oof Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Sat 26 May 2007 16:25 Mk4 Fiesta Tyre Wear.... - Simon

Something is definitely bent on that side of the car then. Most likely a suspension component. Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Sat 26 May 2007 19:54 Mk4 Fiesta Tyre Wear.... - madf

Odds on are: You have bent the lower suspension arm and the rack and the anti roll bar bushes are shot... I reckon little change from Suspension arm £45 Rack £100 (approx) Bushes £20 Plus labour , realingnment etc Total £250-£300 Based on prior experience :-( madf Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Mon 28 May 2007 15:18 Mk4 Fiesta Tyre Wear.... - karlbbb

I imagined it may be something as costly as this.....I'm considering a new car anyway, may just part/ex this Fiesta. I have a trip to the Lake District on Wednesday, I'm hopin I will be ok. I'll be taking it easy on the motorway, I imagine it will be ok. I also have a trip to Manchester thursday morning for a job interview, so after that, the car will be my main priority. I will go to a couple of garages and see if I can get a couple of decent quotes. Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Mon 28 May 2007 16:26 Mk4 Fiesta Tyre Wear.... - milkyjoe

if its any conselation i picked up a new lower suspension arm for a mk 3 fiesta on ebay for £8.00 Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Mon 28 May 2007 17:05 Mk4 Fiesta Tyre Wear.... - bell boy

if its any conselation i picked up a new lower suspension arm for a mk 3 fiesta on ebay for £8.00 be aware that different years have different arms milky you can usually tell if the balljoint is held in with 2 rivets or 3 rivets but this isnt foolproof,the best way is to slide a 15mm (or was it 17mm) open spanner over your old balljoint and the new one if it goes over both and tightly then proceed,if its very slack or doesnt fit then you have the wrong arm combo vans/xr2I /pre 95 after 95 /power steering/non power steering/all have to be taken into account make sure a new bolt and nut is fitted as well :-#) Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Mon 28 May 2007 17:09 Mk4 Fiesta Tyre Wear.... - bell boy

as regards your comments to drive the length of britain karibb on what sounds to be a dangerous component then why bother asking for good advice off everybody then dissing it till it suits your needs not impressed at all Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Mon 28 May 2007 18:33 Mk4 Fiesta Tyre Wear.... - Granada Cosworth

Karlbbb - Take your car to a nearest Rapid-Fit or Quicks Ford, (not the Ford Main Dealer) and ask them to have a look and see what they says, they don't over charge on Labour cost or parts. HTH. Reply | Report as offensive | Link