A6 rear tyre wear

[stu.gtx]

I've noticed the rear tyres on my 1998 A6TDi are wearing on the inside edge. Could this be caused by worn rear shock absorbers? Anyone got any other ideas as to the cause?

[vagtune]

Hi Stu,

Is it a quattro? If so the rear can be adjusted. On the newer shape A6's you can adjust the rear if it's not Quattro aswell

Hope this helps

Lee
VAGTUNE

[stu.gtx]

Thanks for the reply.

No it's not a Quattro. I was thinking it was maybe to do with the control arms being worn or something like that as I've just had the fronts replaced due to knackered bushes. I thought it might have been a common problem but couldn't find anything in previous threads. It's strange the way it's scrubbing the tyre as it's only the inside but it's not uniform - some parts of the inside edge are worn more than others. In fact - some parts are almost completely bald!!

[adamss24]

Maybe the alloys are buckled or the tyres out of shape? Is the car shaking while you driving on the motorway ?

[stu.gtx]

I think the wheels are fine - no buckles or vibrations. I thought the tyres might have been swapped from front-rear by the previous owner but it's done the same to the new tyres I put on to replace the old ones with.

[buster]

I think the wheels are fine - no buckles or vibrations. I thought the tyres might have been swapped from front-rear by the previous owner but it's done the same to the new tyres I put on to replace the old ones with.

I managed to destroy the front tyres on mine in 17,000 miles, and the rear ones are not much better.

I have had it four wheel tracked and everything is fine.

The tyre garage have put it down to an over-enthusiatic driving technique I don't know what they mean?

What pressure are they running at, and what load do you normally carry?

[Niall76]

Stu, can I ask what was replaced on the front and how much it cost? Did you do it yourself?

And what were the symptomes which made you change the arms/bushes?

I think I may need mine done soon?....

Cheers

[stu.gtx]

The tyres are normally at around 32psi and there's normally only me and maybe 1 or 2 passengers at most. One of the tyres did loose a bit or air so I suppose that could cause the sides to wear more quickly but it's just strange how it's only the inside edge and not inside + outside. Plus the fact that the wearing isn't uniform.

The front upper arms were replaced on one side as my car was making the dreaded creaking noise and when I looked the rubber bush on the rear of the two arms was clearly knackered as the arm had visibly moved. I bought the arms for around 20 quid each from a local motor factors. I tried to fit them myself but couldn't get the clamp bolt to budge. A local garage charged me about 50 quid to change them. It would have been less but the bolt was an absolute pig for him to get out so he charged me a bit more. On a positive note - replacing the arms stopped the creaking noise

[Niall76]

thanks Stu, mine doesn't creak - it knocks - cheers for the heads up though.

RE: your tyres - I know mine are supposed to be 36 on the rear and 44 or something mad when loaded. Soft tyres will wear out the edges first for sure. Mine has a sticker inside the petrol flap stating the correct presures.

[stu.gtx]

Yeah - mine's 32f - 32r unloaded and then 40f-42r or something loaded.

In my experience from older vw's - knocking is usually bottom ball joints but with all the crazy arms on Audi suspension who knows