Mondeo ST tyre wear
Discussion
Hi all.
My Mondeo had 4 new tyres about 15k ago, and at the 50k service yesterday they informed me that all 4 need replacing.
The front two are badly worn on the inside edge, the rest is ok.
I am not massively upset, these tyres are garbage, but why have they worn like that?
The outer edge is fine, and most of the tread is ok. I was expecting the fronts to need doing soon, but the previous set of back lasted more than 30k, this time only 15k, and no more than the fronts.
My Mondeo had 4 new tyres about 15k ago, and at the 50k service yesterday they informed me that all 4 need replacing.
The front two are badly worn on the inside edge, the rest is ok.
I am not massively upset, these tyres are garbage, but why have they worn like that?
The outer edge is fine, and most of the tread is ok. I was expecting the fronts to need doing soon, but the previous set of back lasted more than 30k, this time only 15k, and no more than the fronts.
This happened to my dad's V6 Ghia X, which is mechanically very similar. Both of the front tyres looked fine until you saw the inner wall, which was scrubbed through and showing the canvas in places! Logically, I don't know how on earth that can happen, but it certainly did. I'm not sure if it was a direct cause or effect, the following MoT noted that the front lower wishbone bushes were deteriorating and an advisory was issued so he had them changed. It is too early to tell whether the scrubbing has been cured but it would certainly explain it.
I know some Mk1/2 Mondeos has problems with the subframe location when they had been removed for a clutch change etc.
I know some Mk1/2 Mondeos has problems with the subframe location when they had been removed for a clutch change etc.
I've had about 12 months/8000 miles out of my front Continental Sport Contact2 tyres. They're probably good for another month or two. The rears have gone at about twice as long, but may need replacing when I have the fronts done.
Anyone swapped the standard Contis for anything else that's cheaper but good?
Anyone swapped the standard Contis for anything else that's cheaper but good?
Just wondered if this is a common problem with ST Mondeos.
Some time ago O/S front tyre kept losing air so took car in expecting a nail etc, but when the wheel was taken off the inside edge (1/2") was showing wire through the tyre virtually all way around. Checked the other front tyre exactly the same.
Tracking bang on and no rubbing anywhere garage stated possible faulty tyres, down to last 2mm of tread so just replaced tookno further.
Another 10,000 miles later once again O/S front tyre looked like it had a puncture,took to local tyre dealer and both front tyres showing wire on inside edge 1/2" both tyres useless.
Tracking checked and bang on, nothing rubbing on tyre cannot see what is causing this but very lucky that tyres did not blow out on motorway.
Am going to take to a Ford dealer (I know a possible waste of time but....) for them to have a look at but wondered as in above this looks like a similar story on a few other cars.
Any ideas greatly appreatiated.
Some time ago O/S front tyre kept losing air so took car in expecting a nail etc, but when the wheel was taken off the inside edge (1/2") was showing wire through the tyre virtually all way around. Checked the other front tyre exactly the same.
Tracking bang on and no rubbing anywhere garage stated possible faulty tyres, down to last 2mm of tread so just replaced tookno further.
Another 10,000 miles later once again O/S front tyre looked like it had a puncture,took to local tyre dealer and both front tyres showing wire on inside edge 1/2" both tyres useless.
Tracking checked and bang on, nothing rubbing on tyre cannot see what is causing this but very lucky that tyres did not blow out on motorway.
Am going to take to a Ford dealer (I know a possible waste of time but....) for them to have a look at but wondered as in above this looks like a similar story on a few other cars.
Any ideas greatly appreatiated.
There are potentially a few causes of this, but Mk3 Mondeo TDCi's do wear the inside edges of the tyres, about the first inch, out faster than the centre section. The 2 I've had have both done it, the ST is probably a touch worse than the Zetec I had previously. The last set I took of my ST were down to the wear indicators across the tread but the inside edges were smooth although still had enough rubber on them so that they weren't near the cords.
The most common problem is tyre pressures - you want 38-40PSI in the front tyres. If you read the manual, it says cars with sports suspension should use the 100mph+ pressures. The chart on the inside of the fuel cap says 32PSI IIRC and this is what causes uneven tyre wear and horrible tramlining. I run 38 front 34 rear but I rarely have any weight in the back. I think the manual reccomends higher for 100mph+ but I find that makes the back end a bit light and floaty.
These cars have a lot of weight over the front end which along with driving and steering puts a lot of load on the tyres, hence why 92 rated Extra Load tyres are specified. They work best on tyres with stiff sidewalls, I've tried a few and prefer Michelin Pilot Sport PS2's, Conti Sport 2's are OK when new, but I found they went right off once they had about 4mm of tread left where the Michelin stayed good to the death.
Geometry can also be a problem. From the factory the ST TDCi's are set up with a bit of toe in on the front, but the specs for the ST220 are for the front wheels to be parallel, ie no toe in or out. I found using ST220 settings on the TDCi improved steering feel and also helped the tyre wear. Another point is the ST's are very sensitive to the rear geometry, a slight mismatch in the rear toe settings (both my Mondeo's had this when I got them) will result in using the steering to correct it and will wear the inside edges of the tyres.
In my experience paying for tracking on these cars is a waste of time and money. You really need a proper 4 wheel laser alignment done in order to get the rear set up right. I had 3 different places do the tracking for me on mine when I got it to try and sort out tyre wear and tramlining and it never felt quite right, I took it to a specialist alignment place and the first thing he said to me when he saw the readings was "You've had the front tracking done on this" because it was set perfectly between sides, but all the red readings were on the rear wheels. That was 3 years ago, I had it checked twice since and its remained perfect. Cost me £65, but the tyres last 20k+ on the front now and the car feels great.
The most common problem is tyre pressures - you want 38-40PSI in the front tyres. If you read the manual, it says cars with sports suspension should use the 100mph+ pressures. The chart on the inside of the fuel cap says 32PSI IIRC and this is what causes uneven tyre wear and horrible tramlining. I run 38 front 34 rear but I rarely have any weight in the back. I think the manual reccomends higher for 100mph+ but I find that makes the back end a bit light and floaty.
These cars have a lot of weight over the front end which along with driving and steering puts a lot of load on the tyres, hence why 92 rated Extra Load tyres are specified. They work best on tyres with stiff sidewalls, I've tried a few and prefer Michelin Pilot Sport PS2's, Conti Sport 2's are OK when new, but I found they went right off once they had about 4mm of tread left where the Michelin stayed good to the death.
Geometry can also be a problem. From the factory the ST TDCi's are set up with a bit of toe in on the front, but the specs for the ST220 are for the front wheels to be parallel, ie no toe in or out. I found using ST220 settings on the TDCi improved steering feel and also helped the tyre wear. Another point is the ST's are very sensitive to the rear geometry, a slight mismatch in the rear toe settings (both my Mondeo's had this when I got them) will result in using the steering to correct it and will wear the inside edges of the tyres.
In my experience paying for tracking on these cars is a waste of time and money. You really need a proper 4 wheel laser alignment done in order to get the rear set up right. I had 3 different places do the tracking for me on mine when I got it to try and sort out tyre wear and tramlining and it never felt quite right, I took it to a specialist alignment place and the first thing he said to me when he saw the readings was "You've had the front tracking done on this" because it was set perfectly between sides, but all the red readings were on the rear wheels. That was 3 years ago, I had it checked twice since and its remained perfect. Cost me £65, but the tyres last 20k+ on the front now and the car feels great.
hi shifty, having used to work for a tyre specialist for 6 years the most common problem we found is that many main stealers can fit a tyre but not manage to align the geometry correctly. have all four wheels checked, all though the backs look fine they could be out and causing the front end to crab like down the road, try to find some where that uses a laser set up system and ask to look at the tracking your self, the settings for mondeo's will be negative 2 on the back with a tolerance of 1.5mm, but make sure they set it bang on, and setting on the front is parallel, alot of people dont bother setting up the rears before setting the tracking on the front and this is where alot of problems arise from with cars needing four wheel alignment,
garry
garry
Gents
Many thanks for the replies, a proper 4 wheel alignment it is then, and as suggested may increase the front pressure to 38.
I done a search on google after posting on PH and there are many examples affecting the Mondeo, could be really dangerous if tyres did actually blow as most of my driving is on the motorway.
Many thanks for the replies, a proper 4 wheel alignment it is then, and as suggested may increase the front pressure to 38.
I done a search on google after posting on PH and there are many examples affecting the Mondeo, could be really dangerous if tyres did actually blow as most of my driving is on the motorway.
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