unusual tyre wear W210

[lyndonri]

I have had a set of newer facelift model Avantgarde alloys on my '97 W210 for a year or so. They are the same specification as the originals. I have recently had an MOT and was alerted to my rear tyres that would require replacing in the not-to-distant future. This weekend we travelled with a full load in the boot and three kids in the back on a 70 mile camping trip to the Gower. On the way there the nearside rear went flat whilst driving and I duly put the spare on. On the way back tonight, the other tyre went also, leaving me to call Green Flag, get trailored home etc etc,

Anyway, looking at both tyres, they seem to have both got a common feature. (Apart from being mashed up), they seem to have worn badly on the inner walls seemingly down to the white webbing. I don't know if that happened when they failed or they have been wearing over time.

It seems odd that they both went more or less at the same time. The tyre pressures were fine as far as I could tell (I'm not a stickler for pressures but they are checked occasionally!) Could this be an alignment issue or something else?

Thanks!

 

[television]

Hi Lyndon, this would appear to show that the camber angle is wrong, or that you have worn bushes in the set up somewhere

 

[lyndonri]

There's a four wheel alignment specialist in Cardiff. I guess they'll spot any problems with camber.

Actually, I have been noticing a few slight knocking sounds coming from the underneath. Could this be related?

 

[BlackC55]

The knock is probablythe roll bar links.

 

[lyndonri]

Would you expect the alignment people to spot that or is that an unrelated issue?

Either way, is it a DIY job? If so, is it a common sense replacement procedure?

thanks guys!

 

[BlackC55]

Its all suspension related so they should have spotted it.

It is a diy job if you are competant

 

[Rory]

I have recently had an MOT and was alerted to my rear tyres that would require replacing in the not-to-distant future. This weekend we travelled with a full load in the boot and three kids in the back on a 70 mile camping trip to the Gower.

I fell I must ask; with a family trip like that coming up, why on earth didn't you change they tyres beforehand?

It seems odd that they both went more or less at the same time. The tyre pressures were fine as far as I could tell (I'm not a stickler for pressures but they are checked occasionally!)

Did you adjust them for the full load you mentioned? That may well explain why they both failed at the same time - the weight in the car would have loaded the inside edges of the tyres.

 

[lyndonri]

All the tyres were inflated to the fully laden pressures. I admit i didn't carry out a full check of the tyres on the inside walls, especially after the recent MOT pass.

However, the boot was fully loaded - a lot of it bedding though.

I'll get a full alignment check done, check the roll bar links and my old tyres checked out for a possible explanantion.

 

[kth286]

The camber is non adjustable on the rear.

BUT the toe is adjustable.

HOWEVER your problem is wear in the rear bushes of the various suspension links and there are five each side of the rear suspension.

It is a matter of the complete links being replaced as they are cheap and not a difficult job to do. Probably best to let an experienced Merc specialist handle it though unless you are very experienced at Merc DIY.

There is a CAMBER link and wear in those bushes (each end) will cause advers negative camber where the rear wheels lean in at the top and contribute to inside tyre wear.

BUT not as much as wear in the tie rod bushes which is very critical to tyre wear as it affects the rear toe. Need to replace those rear tie rods.

 

[lyndonri]

Four wheel alignment done and the rear wheels were both toeing outwards more than tolerance. I was told this could be the cause of the wear. They mentioned nothing of camber however. I'll get my local indie to check out the bushes, as the alignment people seemed to think they were OK , although from what I've read they still might need replacing. Total cost of alignment - £39.95

Incidentally, why did Mercedes Cardiff quote me £230 for the same job?

 

[television]

Incidentally, why did Mercedes Cardiff quote me £230 for the same job?

They need the money