Problem with front suspension
Discussion
Sorry this is so long, but despite the OPC doing their best I still think I have an issue with my front suspension.
Last October I paid for my geometry to be checked and set back to factory settings after 25k miles. This was done by my local OPC and before it was adjusted I changed the front tyres which were at about 3mm tread left. Upon collection I noticed it felt noticeably lighter at the front, but I put that down to the adjustments made. I got a print out showing the adjustments made. The adjustments were very minor at the front, and not a huge amount at the rear. The rear could be explained by me clipping some kerbs at low speed when I first got the car.
Fast forward now to May this year and about 5k miles later. For the first time since last October I checked the tyres pressures and noticed they were 37 psi at the front and 31 psi at the rear. (Yes, I know one should check more often but let’s not make this a tyre pressure checking thread). These were round the wrong way and no doubt explained the light feeling at the front. But, more worryingly I saw that the inside of both front tyres had no tread left. As stated I have had the car from new and my first set of tyres lasted 25k miles. The car has never been tracked and my driving style has not changed since the tyres were changed.
I booked the car into the OPC to find out what was wrong. The answer was that the front geometry was way out. As I expected the answer from the OPC was I had hit a pot hole or 2.
However, I know I did not hit a pot hole hard during the 5k miles, and even if I did, why would both front wheels need significant adjustment and the rear wheels not need much adjustment to bring them back within specification.
Anyway, the outcome was I bought a new set of tyres from the OPC and they did not charge to put the geometry back to what it should be.
My concern though is what could have caused it to go out if it was not a pot hole etc.
If there is an underlying fault I assume I will end up scrubbing another set of tyres within 5k miles. The OPC made a full check of the suspension and could find no problems.
However, when the front suspension is wet after driving in the rain, turning the wheels at low speed makes a sound similar to wet trainers on a smooth floor. That horrible plastic squeaking noise. I have managed to replicate this sound in the dry by soaking the front suspension with a hose pipe. This sound has only become evident December 2010 after about 16k miles and about 2k miles after the OPC changed the front shocks under warranty. But the noise became more regular after the geo was adjusted, could just be a coincidence as I drove the car more regularly in the wet after our wonderful winter and spring. I am wondering if there is something wrong with some of the front suspension bushes that only manifests itself when it is wet.
Sorry to take so long to explain, but anybody got any ideas as to what may be the cause? At the moment I have started to monitor tyre wear each month to see if front is still wearing faster than back.
Last October I paid for my geometry to be checked and set back to factory settings after 25k miles. This was done by my local OPC and before it was adjusted I changed the front tyres which were at about 3mm tread left. Upon collection I noticed it felt noticeably lighter at the front, but I put that down to the adjustments made. I got a print out showing the adjustments made. The adjustments were very minor at the front, and not a huge amount at the rear. The rear could be explained by me clipping some kerbs at low speed when I first got the car.
Fast forward now to May this year and about 5k miles later. For the first time since last October I checked the tyres pressures and noticed they were 37 psi at the front and 31 psi at the rear. (Yes, I know one should check more often but let’s not make this a tyre pressure checking thread). These were round the wrong way and no doubt explained the light feeling at the front. But, more worryingly I saw that the inside of both front tyres had no tread left. As stated I have had the car from new and my first set of tyres lasted 25k miles. The car has never been tracked and my driving style has not changed since the tyres were changed.
I booked the car into the OPC to find out what was wrong. The answer was that the front geometry was way out. As I expected the answer from the OPC was I had hit a pot hole or 2.
However, I know I did not hit a pot hole hard during the 5k miles, and even if I did, why would both front wheels need significant adjustment and the rear wheels not need much adjustment to bring them back within specification.
Anyway, the outcome was I bought a new set of tyres from the OPC and they did not charge to put the geometry back to what it should be.
My concern though is what could have caused it to go out if it was not a pot hole etc.
If there is an underlying fault I assume I will end up scrubbing another set of tyres within 5k miles. The OPC made a full check of the suspension and could find no problems.
However, when the front suspension is wet after driving in the rain, turning the wheels at low speed makes a sound similar to wet trainers on a smooth floor. That horrible plastic squeaking noise. I have managed to replicate this sound in the dry by soaking the front suspension with a hose pipe. This sound has only become evident December 2010 after about 16k miles and about 2k miles after the OPC changed the front shocks under warranty. But the noise became more regular after the geo was adjusted, could just be a coincidence as I drove the car more regularly in the wet after our wonderful winter and spring. I am wondering if there is something wrong with some of the front suspension bushes that only manifests itself when it is wet.
Sorry to take so long to explain, but anybody got any ideas as to what may be the cause? At the moment I have started to monitor tyre wear each month to see if front is still wearing faster than back.
Do you know if the geometry was adjusted after replacement of the front shocks? - (because it should have been since the shock top mounts control the camber)
Inner front tyre wear can be accelerated by Toe, Camber or worn components. You have had the car checked for worn suspension so it is logical the only remaining factor is that the geo was wrong.
The bit you will never prove is whether it was wrong through incorrect adjustment or impact damage?
In view of the high cost of tyres, take it to another specialist to double check the settings. OPCs are not beyond errors, take it to a good Indy and see what they say.
Inner front tyre wear can be accelerated by Toe, Camber or worn components. You have had the car checked for worn suspension so it is logical the only remaining factor is that the geo was wrong.
The bit you will never prove is whether it was wrong through incorrect adjustment or impact damage?
In view of the high cost of tyres, take it to another specialist to double check the settings. OPCs are not beyond errors, take it to a good Indy and see what they say.
Pugley said:
Do you know if the geometry was adjusted after replacement of the front shocks? - (because it should have been since the shock top mounts control the camber)
Inner front tyre wear can be accelerated by Toe, Camber or worn components. You have had the car checked for worn suspension so it is logical the only remaining factor is that the geo was wrong.
The bit you will never prove is whether it was wrong through incorrect adjustment or impact damage?
In view of the high cost of tyres, take it to another specialist to double check the settings. OPCs are not beyond errors, take it to a good Indy and see what they say.
Thanks guys for the responses, car is a 2008 Cayman 2.7 with 18" wheels.Inner front tyre wear can be accelerated by Toe, Camber or worn components. You have had the car checked for worn suspension so it is logical the only remaining factor is that the geo was wrong.
The bit you will never prove is whether it was wrong through incorrect adjustment or impact damage?
In view of the high cost of tyres, take it to another specialist to double check the settings. OPCs are not beyond errors, take it to a good Indy and see what they say.
I was told geo was done after suspension change. And, the fact the tyre pressure were wrong after the geo in October does make me slightly suspicious. That's why I am monitoring the tread depth. If wear appears normal then I will have to put it down to experience
. I can only estimate normal to be based on the 25k I got from the original front tyres.The problem of taking it to another specialist now is that I will have done some miles and I'm not sure if that will be a valid check, unless of course it is way out again.
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