I replaced the front brakes last week and noticed that on the nearside (left) front tyre there is a lot of wear on the inside edge, but not much on the other tyre. I had the tracking checked and it is almost spot on, certainly not enough to cause wear. Any suggestions as to what might be causing this?

 

Did you check the wishbone bushes when you had the wheels off? The uppers are especially prone to wear.

Graham

 

I didn't try particularly hard to pull the wheel around but there wasn't any particular movement in the bushes, I'll get the wheel off again and try a little harder - there are no obvious clonks or anything from the suspension but it is a possibility I guess.

 

if the camber is good on that corner and in, or very near spec, one of the suspension components (bushing) is allowing it to toe 'out' when driving; that's hard to diagnose when its on a lift, not moving. You've got to really put some force on the tire/wheel when setting the toe to introduce the same force as normal road/tire contact creates. Check the outer tie rod end also.

 

I jacked it up this evening and I couldn't detect any play in the upper wishbone (or elsewhere) but I didn't have time to take the wheel off and try a level in any joint - that will have to wait for the weekend at the earliest unfortunately.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

The best check on wear is the device MoT Centres use to 'kick' the front suspension.

The exploded parts diagram shows the suspension wear points:

2002 Jaguar XK8 - Front Suspension Components.pdf

Upper Wishbone Bushes (3)
Upper Ball Joint (item 8)
Lower Wishbone Bushes (5)
Lower Ball Joint (7)
Vertical Link (6)
Hub Bushes (4)

The most expensive and difficult to replace is bearings but still less than the cost of a tyre.

You've only had the vehicle a few months. Any chance you missed the wear on the tyre when you first inspected it and could be chasing something that's already been fixed by the PO?

Graham

 

Thanks Graham,

I have replaced the tyres since I got the car so know it isn't fixed, unfortunately. I'll get the wheel off again this weekend and have a proper go at all the joints to see if I can see any movement when applying force at all the bushes etc. Pretty sure it isn't the bearing, not sure about anything else though!

 

can you post your last alignment sheet? I know brutal (a resident tech) likes to see them when diagnosing suspension geometry as a potential cause of wear.

 

Just had the same problem. Had bushings replaced.

 

Finally! Been wondering about nearside/offside for ages.

 

I haven't had a full alignment check which would have all the angles - I had the tracking checked at a garage who use the traditional optical alignment method, it may be old fashioned but it covers toe-in or toe-out and is carried out by someone who understands and knows how to correct issues!

I had the wheel off again and whilst there is movement in the bushes when levered with a long bar there is no free play indicating that there is specific wear in them - just the movement I would expect from a rubber bush, although they are possibly showing their age and softer than they probably were when new.

Offside/nearside - don't know how it relates to different countries but in the UK nearside is the side near the kerb so it is the left hand side of the car. Those who drive on the wrong side may see it differently

 

Tire not at proper pressure?

Bad bushing?

Bad driving habits? (cornering hard one direction, but being timid cornering the other direction?)

Alignment?