Tracking always goes - inside tyre wear

[deakin1972]

Hi, I've got a citroen C3 picasso 60 plate with 89k on the clock. My issue is that it goes through front tyres quickly and they always are worn on the inside? This is obviously linked to the tracking going out, but any ideas why the tracking is going out so quickly?

[GiveMeABreak]

Incorrectly tracked or the incorrect camber angle is one cause - I know first hand that they can use the incorrect settings for the vehicle (incorrect model year / engine / wheels etc.) and as has happened to me even the laser alignment system used by ATS was incorrectly calibrated, causing a new set of front tyres to be near the wire in less than 8 weeks. Suffice it to say they shut it down after they investigated it and had put on new tyres at their expense. It was out of commission for a few months.

Pot holes, or even sunken / raised road drains can all play a part and I find myself driving more in the middle of the road round where I live in the country because the roads are so bad.

Also, any time you have any work done on the suspension / suspension geometry components, it's always a good idea to get the tracking checked. Tracking should be checked regularly anyway and some places won't charge you if it is ok and doesn't require adjustment.

If the car has been 'kerbed' or knocked into the kerb, this can affect the camber or the power steering ram on some vehicles.

Ball joints and tie rod ends can also affect tyre wear. So in your case it may be worth having the vehicle checked all over to see if there is anything obvious first on the suspension geometry, before getting it properly checked at a reputable garage.

[deakin1972]

Hi Marc, I get the tracking checked every month and it is always out. Ive had the suspension checked at my local reputable garage and they could not see anything wrong after having a wheel bearing replaced. I will get the ball joints and track rod ends replaced as it has been three years since they were done, even though it has just sailed through an mot again.

Some one mentioned top mounts coming loose, could this be the case?

[GiveMeABreak]

Well yes, if the suspension mountings are loose then this will also affect the way the vehicle handles.