Technical Excessive Tyre Wear - Please Help

[mussy]

Mark III Multipla JTD with 17" Alloys.

I am going through front tyres at a rate of knots - only getting 5-6,000 miles
on Pirellis. A band of 2 inches is wearing on the inner side, while the rest of the tyre is hardly worn.

I have had the tracking checked twice by Kwik Fit & once by the dealer and it is spot on. The FIAT dealer assures me the camber is ok (but I am a little dubious as to whether they have checked it). Even if the camber is out I am aware it is non adjustable - so what would I do if the camber was out?

Kwik Fit have checked the vehicle since it went to my FIAT dealer (Bishops Guildford) & confirmed that the only thing the dealer has done is adjust the tracking. Kwik Fit have today fitted new tyres but indicated the tyres will wear out again as the changes made by FIAT will not have rectified the issue. The dealer knows my issue with tyre wear - but do not seem to be seriously addressing it . I have spent 2 days in total waiting in reception

My suspicion is that the car was designed to run on standard 15" wheels & was not designed to run with the 17" optional alloys on my vehicle. Is my best option to replace the wheels. And if this is the case why the hell do FIAT have the 17" on the option list if they are not fit for purpose on this vehicle.

ANy help gratefuly recieved.

 

[jimboy]

kwik fit try somewhere else

 

[rolo]

I'd be inclined to take it to a good accident repair shop with the latest wheel alignment equipment,explain the problem and ask them to check it out,dont think I'd rely on what a kwikfit fitter is telling you.

 

[TinyUK]

As any good Kwikfit fitter will tell you.

"The reason your tyres are worn like that is because you need your exhaust replaced, your brakes relined and your Air-con recharged too!"

Sorry, couldn't help myself. ;p

 

[brigbeale]

It could be the mounting rubbers on the lower suspension arms have gone soft.

When you are driving along, the front wheels are pulling the vehicle along, so in essence, are pulling the suspension arms forward. This would in turn alter the steering geometry and put the tracking out.

When you brake the situation is reversed and the weight of the vehicle under braking is forcing the arms backwards, again upsetting the geometry.

When the vehicle is stopped, the arms are most likely back at their resting position and the steering geometry is more or less back where it should be.

When the tracking was checked/adjusted, were the lower arms checked for wear or play in the mountings.

If wear is found, it is advisable to replace both sides at the same time and get the tracking checked again (just to be sure).

Another possiblility is play in the tie rods from the steering rack or the track rod ends themselves (although I'd have thought you'd get a knocking noise when accelerating or braking as the load goes on/comes off the arms).

 

[T14086]

Mark III Multipla JTD with 17" Alloys.

I am going through front tyres at a rate of knots - only getting 5-6,000 miles
on Pirellis. A band of 2 inches is wearing on the inner side, while the rest of the tyre is hardly worn.

I have had the tracking checked twice by Kwik Fit & once by the dealer and it is spot on. The FIAT dealer assures me the camber is ok (but I am a little dubious as to whether they have checked it). Even if the camber is out I am aware it is non adjustable - so what would I do if the camber was out?

Kwik Fit have checked the vehicle since it went to my FIAT dealer (Bishops Guildford) & confirmed that the only thing the dealer has done is adjust the tracking. Kwik Fit have today fitted new tyres but indicated the tyres will wear out again as the changes made by FIAT will not have rectified the issue. The dealer knows my issue with tyre wear - but do not seem to be seriously addressing it . I have spent 2 days in total waiting in reception

My suspicion is that the car was designed to run on standard 15" wheels & was not designed to run with the 17" optional alloys on my vehicle. Is my best option to replace the wheels. And if this is the case why the hell do FIAT have the 17" on the option list if they are not fit for purpose on this vehicle.

ANy help gratefuly recieved.

To get accurate help/response it helps to supply full details (were not interested in the argument side) like year of manufacture,had car from new? & especially mileage.

 

[chr1s]

There are quite a few references to Multiplas with uneven tyre wear (especially on the inside edges) on Fiat Forum and elsewhere. The accepted cure seems to be to have the toe-in adjusted to 0° and the tracking checked.

https://www.fiatforum.com/multipla/119781-one-less-ulysse-one-more-multipla-anyone-know-ej54pzu.html

See "Problem: Front tyre wear unbalanced" in Tech FAQ at the following link:
http://www.multipla.i12.com/index.html

When I bought my Multipla last October, the front tyres were unevenly worn, so I had the tracking checked and the toe-in adjusted to 0°, along with new tyres. 7,500 miles later the front tyres appear to be wearing evenly, and they have plenty of life left in them.