Rapid Front L Tire Wear.. Yikes!!

[zsmith29]

Brand new tires and the front L tire is wearing much faster than the others.

I just got an alignment done. Could it be anything else. I got the alignment done after I replaced the steering gear box and a tie rod.

[zsmith29]

anyone familiar with this at all?

[UriahT]

If you've got old rubber around the idler arm, it will take you out of alignment pretty quick.

[tangofox007]

What is the nature of the wear?

[winmutt]

UCA rubber as well.

[zsmith29]

The tire seems to be definitely wearing on the outside of the tire. I cannot tell about the inside as much. They are all brand new tires?

Do yo mean if the idler arm boot is cracked?

[Actros617]

Lift your car, go to the left tire, hold the tire with two hand and shake the wheel, to see if there is any free play if there is than that free play is causing your tire not to go straight...

[NH82W123]

I agree with winmutt. I had the same tire wear issue when my left upper control arm failed.

Charlie

[zsmith29]

Wow, upper control arm sounds like a very large, expensive part.

I was thinking it might be a something like a tire rod or an idler arm.

I will raise the front and shake the tires to see if there is free play. What am I to do if there is some? What if there isn't?

[Johnhef]

Whatever you do, don't go back to the place that did the alignment since they should have caught whatever was in need of replacement.

[toomany MBZ]

Originally Posted by zsmith29

Wow, upper control arm sounds like a very large, expensive part.

I was thinking it might be a something like a tire rod or an idler arm.

I will raise the front and shake the tires to see if there is free play. What am I to do if there is some? What if there isn't?

No, not expensive, and a DIY. Comes with a ball joint attached. Do a visual inspection also, on mine, it was obvious.

[NH82W123]

Originally Posted by toomany MBZ

No, not expensive, and a DIY. Comes with a ball joint attached. Do a visual inspection also, on mine, it was obvious.

Mine, too. You could see that the rubber bushings had disintegrated.

I had my indy do the job (shame on me, I know) for about $230.

Charlie

[toomany MBZ]

Seems the SD needs this. I just got a new set of tires, I'll have to have a look see. Not as easy on a 126, as I think you need to remove part of the second firewall. But at least it's on the drivers side.

[toomany MBZ]

Originally Posted by NH82W123

Mine, too. You could see that the rubber bushings had disintegrated.

I had my indy do the job (shame on me, I know) for about $230.

Charlie

A Firestone store quoted me $440, for a 123, don't feel bad!

[NH82W123]

Originally Posted by toomany MBZ

A Firestone store quoted me $440, for a 123, don't feel bad!

Ouch! I'll stop complaining now. That is, until the right UCA (original to the car) goes...

Charlie