melluish
15-03-2008, 06:45 PM
1996 Passat saloon, 158,000 miles.
I had a front wheel bearing replaced four weeks ago. I noticed today that both front tyres were extremely worn on the inner edge, and suspected the tracking was out.
After I had the bearing done the handling felt a bit twitchy, and also the steering wheel was crooked. I was worried about the handling yesterday, as it was getting worse, which is why I checked the tyres today.
The tyres were fairly old, and would have needed changing within a few months anyway, so it was not a disaster.
I phoned up the place where I had the wheel bearing done, and they said that replacing a bearing does not affect the tracking.
I went to a local tyre place today bought two new tyres and had the tracking checked. The toe-in should have been 0 degrees, and in fact was -14 degrees. The chap said he had never known it that far out. After he pointed it out I could see it with the naked eye. He had a lot of trouble getting it back to zero, including using a blowtorch to free both sides up.
I intend to go back to the place that did the wheel bearing, and claim the full cost of the tracking, part cost for the new tyres, and some compensation, but I am worried there is something seriously wrong with the car. Did they put the suspension back together wrongly? Is it likely to fail in a big way? I can't believe they could adjust something so badly, and they deny they adjusted it anyway.
I had a front wheel bearing replaced four weeks ago. I noticed today that both front tyres were extremely worn on the inner edge, and suspected the tracking was out.
After I had the bearing done the handling felt a bit twitchy, and also the steering wheel was crooked. I was worried about the handling yesterday, as it was getting worse, which is why I checked the tyres today.
The tyres were fairly old, and would have needed changing within a few months anyway, so it was not a disaster.
I phoned up the place where I had the wheel bearing done, and they said that replacing a bearing does not affect the tracking.
I went to a local tyre place today bought two new tyres and had the tracking checked. The toe-in should have been 0 degrees, and in fact was -14 degrees. The chap said he had never known it that far out. After he pointed it out I could see it with the naked eye. He had a lot of trouble getting it back to zero, including using a blowtorch to free both sides up.
I intend to go back to the place that did the wheel bearing, and claim the full cost of the tracking, part cost for the new tyres, and some compensation, but I am worried there is something seriously wrong with the car. Did they put the suspension back together wrongly? Is it likely to fail in a big way? I can't believe they could adjust something so badly, and they deny they adjusted it anyway.