Twice checked by the dealer, feathering tires - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

t walgamuth · #16 04-27-2008, 10:58 PM

The sawtooth pattern is usually from hard braking in my experience. Rotating from side to side will counteract this.

What car are they on? What size tires? What model of tire? Did you ask what specs they set the car to?

Bouncing the car will not tell you if Bilstein shocks are shot.

Tom W

OlBrenner · #17 04-28-2008, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobybul

German or not, bad shocks will cause cupping..... it happened on my Taurus - on all 4 wheels - all bad shocks!!! See post #6 above.

Oh hey, look at that... Good for you.

tobybul · #18 04-28-2008, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OlBrenner

Oh hey, look at that... Good for you.

OlB, sorry man, I wasn't trying to be a bozoo.... just trying to say that cupping can happen to any car regardless of make since the culprit, imho, is most likely the shocks. I tried all the possibilities when this happened such as rotation & alignment. But it turned out to be bad shocks.

You see, I bought the Taurus from a commercial Fleet that supposedly maintained their cars regularly. But that was not really the case as it turned out. Later found the engine also had a coolant-to-oil breach. Probably head gasket.

bbeardb · #19 04-28-2008, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OlBrenner

Based on the diagram you posted it looks to be "cupping" not feathering. At low speeds to do you hear a low roaring coming from the tires or does it feel like you're driving on an old rough asphalt road all the time? The front edge of the tire 'block' will be lower than the back edge, kind of like fish scales almost. If so then I'd put money that your shocks are worn out, of all the german cars I've owned they all cupped the tires if the shocks were of questionable age.

You describe the wear great, but I don't have the noise and I neglected to mention, the shocks are all new Bilsteins, including the dampener.

bbeardb · #20 04-28-2008, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

The sawtooth pattern is usually from hard braking in my experience. Rotating from side to side will counteract this.

What car are they on? What size tires? What model of tire? Did you ask what specs they set the car to?

Bouncing the car will not tell you if Bilstein shocks are shot.

Tom W

I drive like my grandpa, they are on my 300sd, they are stock, and they are Michelin ... shoot, I forget. I got them from Discount Tire.

I'm assuming they set the sped to my car since they were the dealer and they did it twice. I do have the original printout in my car. Can check later.

tobybul · #21 04-28-2008, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbeardb

You describe the wear great, but I don't have the noise and I neglected to mention, the shocks are all new Bilsteins, including the dampener.

Were the tires already cupped b4 the Bilsteins? If the Bils were already in place when the tires cupped then it could something else.... obviously

bbeardb · #22 04-28-2008, 06:13 PM

Yep, new shocks before new tires.

OlBrenner · #23 04-28-2008, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobybul

OlB, sorry man, I wasn't trying to be a bozoo.... just trying to say that cupping can happen to any car regardless of make since the culprit, imho, is most likely the shocks. I tried all the possibilities when this happened such as rotation & alignment. But it turned out to be bad shocks.

You see, I bought the Taurus from a commercial Fleet that supposedly maintained their cars regularly. But that was not really the case as it turned out. Later found the engine also had a coolant-to-oil breach. Probably head gasket.

No worries, I'm a sarcastic sob. See my sig. I typed it with a smile if that makes you feel better.

To the OP, excessive caster has also been known to cause cupping but if your alignment shop did the job right you should have a sheet with proof that you're in spec. Other than that... I'm spent.

Hatterasguy · #24 04-28-2008, 10:06 PM

My W126 always wears the outside edges first, can't figure it out. I'm slowly rebuilding the suspension but nothing seems to change that. It needs an alighnment soon, but that won't fix it.

The front left seems to be the worst.

babymog · #25 04-29-2008, 07:55 PM

Too many freeway ramps?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

My W126 always wears the outside edges first, can't figure it out. I'm slowly rebuilding the suspension but nothing seems to change that. It needs an alighnment soon, but that won't fix it.

The front left seems to be the worst.

MBeige · #26 04-29-2008, 08:12 PM

When you park your MB, turn the wheels completely either way. Look at how the tires contact the pavement, most of the time the shoulders of the tires get compressed and I think this is why a lot of MB front wheels have worn shoulders. That, and possibly a simple suspension design (for the W123/W116/W126 at least) would make them exhibit those wear marks. Just a thought.

Hatterasguy · #27 04-29-2008, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

Too many freeway ramps?

No I drive really slow...

bbeardb · #28 07-11-2008, 04:58 PM

I think I fixed it. I did my wheel bearings awhile ago and figured it might be just a hair loose, since I know you don't really want to tighten them too much, and they are supposed to have a tad bit of play. Well, I tightened it up 1/8 to 1/4 a turn. Drove 900 miles and I haven't notice any new wear and the hub didn't feel hot when I pulled over. I think I'm calling it fixed.

Chadahar · #29 07-11-2008, 05:09 PM

My SEC had fronts worm on the ooutside edges. and it was a combination of not having rotoated the tires(PO) and the Alignment. I had the tires balanced and rotated and then went straight to the alignment place and so far that fixed my outside corner wear.

Freesil got done today and the front tires are so worn, that they need replaced. the car was able to be aligned without incident(good parts at 226,438 miles). I may try to rotate the tires and try to balance the fronts again to get a few more miles from them. I do know it's time to replace them.