Hi,

Can someone please shed some light on this problem I have.

I have gone through 3 tyres on the driver side that seem to have wear on the extreme edge resulting in balding and expsure of tyre canvas material.

I had both A frames (lowercontrol arms) replaced two daya ago and went for a wheel alignment at Bridgestone select in Slacks Creek (Brisbane area).

I had been experiencing wheel pull to the left when I let the steeering wheel go hands free monentarily.

I was informed by Bridgestone this is normal as the pulling to the left is built in design so if a driver falls asleep at the wheel, the car veers to the left instead of straight ahead.

Dont' know if there is any truth to that but anyhow, yep wheels were out of alignment.

Had two tyres replaced on the front and noticed both tyres had a slight scuff mark on the extreme outer edges of the tyre. Will take a photo and upload tomorrow if the mark is still visible.

If it stills steers to the left, Bridgestone suggested I purchase a Camber Caster Kit.

Bridgestone said the kit is installed at the top where the upper suspension arm sits.?

I cannot see how that would effect the camber of the wheel?

Is there any truth in this, or are they pissing in my pocket.

I suspect the front of the car was in a crash and was not repaired correctly (I purchased it as was, without knowing the history of it. from a private seller)...glovebox showed some documentation about front damage.

If the front was not fixed properly, is there any recourse I have on the original repairer via their insurance company? I had the car about 12 months or so now.

Cheers, Bondy

they are partially pissing in your pocket..
the car is not designed to pull to the left..lol..
if you fall a sleep and the car pulls to the left would be wose than going straight?
your still going to crash into a pole, a parked car, a pedestrian or a house..lol
it s**t me how these places feel the need to bull s**t to justify a s**t wheel alignment..

but yes a camber kit does go behind the upper control arms, it changes the angle of your wheels..

I've got to agree with Troyman........no car, truck, bus or anything else should pull left or right if properly aligned.

Just like a place I know, they claim there's nothing he can do about the steering wheel being off centre as well as pulling to one side or the other ( actually a moron brother in-law of mine lol)

If it's done right it should stay straight........the specifications for alignment allow for the camber on the road.

Take it someplace where they know what they're doing otherwise refuse to pay.

Thanks Troyman and Itsmee,

I do appreciate your cokment and recommendations.

I have two used tyres on the front . both with 75% available tread. Yokohama tyres.

Car still tends to drift / veer to the left.

What would be a reasonable price for a camber kit?

I've seen a few on ebay but not sure which would be the ideal ones to get.

Troyman,

I had the upper control arms out to replace bushes some time ago. You have told me the camber kit are fitted behind the upper control arm but I'm at a lost to see how they can be as there seems to be very little space. It was a hassle getting the bolt out as I had to remove the coil spring.

Would this be a big job or fiddly as in time consuming working out the correct size shim?

Cheers, Peter

Update,

I have noticed scuff marks on both my front tyres, drivers side mostly, passengers side is mild in comparison.

Both tyres did not have any scuff marks prior to fitting, Vehicle appears to drive straight but does go to the left a little when hands are not on wheel.

Pics are attached.

Are these scuff marks normal or abnormal?

If abnormal, what would be the cause?

Thanks

 

 

Attachments:

Front Passenger side scuff mark [800x600].jpg [ 77.05 KiB | Viewed 293 times ]

Driver Tyre scuff mark 4 [800x600].jpg [ 82.67 KiB | Viewed 290 times ]

Driver Tyre scuff mark 3 [800x600].jpg [ 104.75 KiB | Viewed 292 times ]

Driver Tyre scuff mark 2 [800x600].jpg [ 89.78 KiB | Viewed 276 times ]

Driver Tyre scuff mark 1 [800x600].jpg [ 84.63 KiB | Viewed 311 times ]

Has anyone else noticed these marks on their tyres, are they normal or abnormal?

Cheers

If it's still pulling to the left, the alignment isn't correct. If you have 2 tyres fighting each other one will scuff or scrub out on the edge, but it can also be caused by other parts being worn in the front end.

Cheers

ToranaGuy

Toranaguy,

Thanks for that insight, I would not have know that, as far as I am aware of everything in the front has been renewed unless there is something else as you said.

Looks like process of elimination again, would there be a place you recommend I check this out with.

Bridgestone select was the mob that done the wheel alignment.

Cheers

too much toe-in, also needs camber/caster adjusted to solve the pulling.

G'day Rustyeb1991,

Thanks, I thought this would have been done by Bridgestone Select, I already paid those people $55.00 to get the wheel alignment done, looks like they have dudded me.

I might try a different mob, problem is finding a mob that knows what to do.

Cheers

make sure you get alignment printout for comparison before and after then you can check to see what adjustments have been made. if unsure then message me the specs as my previous job was as a wheel-aligner.

Go and see Greg at City Suspension in Slacks Creek. Tyre shops have a vested interest in an alignment that isn't ideal for tyre life.

Getting specs of before & after is a good idea.

A lot of joints only do a toe alignment these days, but seeing as you have had a camber kit fit, they should have set the camber correctly & you should have received a print out of the before & after specs.

Cheers

ToranaGuy

ToranaGuy,

I don't have a camber kit fitted yet, Bridgestone Select suggested I should get a kit if I still have the problem.

They did provide me with a readaout.

I can scan the document and post here by Monday.


67RCE,

Thanks, I will do that, they are not too far away, I'm in Eagleby. Thanks for the advice.


Rustyeb1991,
I did receive an alignment printout , it was done after the alignment so I assume they woud have taken a reading prior to the adjustment.

As stated earlier, I'll post the alignment readout tomorrow, Monday 16th July, or later tonight before I go to bed.

Cheers