Simple steering question

[Mike 820]

I have just realised that the insides of my front tires are slightly more worn than the outsides. I also know I have a worn steering rack. Most likely being replaced at next MOT (June)

Could the worn steering rack cause inside edge tyre wear? Or is it a case of getting the tracking done.

[stevieturbo]

If the steering rack is worn, tracking could be all over the place. So its pointless getting tracking set, if the steering rack is knackered.

Fix the problem.

[Mike 820]

stevieturbo said:

If the steering rack is worn, tracking could be all over the place. So its pointless getting tracking set, if the steering rack is knackered.

Fix the problem.

Thanks Stevie.

[Pumaracing]

No a worn rack can't affect the tracking which is a function of the distance between the track rod ends. Worn rack teeth doesn't change that dimension, it just makes the steering vague. Now that itself might not help with tyre wear but it's a different issue to what you are asking.

[stevieturbo]

Fair point and of course correct.. Depends if he means a work rack, track rod ends ( inner or outer etc ) though.

[Mike 820]

I see,

not sure what the actual problem is yet. Car is going into a garage on Tuesday.

Thanks again for the replies.

[Pumaracing]

You should be aware that tyres rarely wear absolutely evenly no matter how perfect the tracking. The negative camber on front wheels usually makes the insides of the tyres wear slightly faster. If the cost of the tracking is more than the potential cost of extra tyre wear then leave it alone. Losing that last millimetre of tread a bit more quickly than you might otherwise is almost irrelevant. Probably better and safer to change tyres a bit before they reach the bitter limit anyway and use the money you just saved on an unnecessary tracking procedure to pay for half of it.

It'll all need doing again when the rack gets changed so probably not sensible to pay for it twice. Obviously if the tyres are scrubbing out in a few hundred or thousand miles then it needs doing.

[Mr2Mike]

stevieturbo said:

Fair point and of course correct.. Depends if he means a work rack, track rod ends ( inner or outer etc ) though.

IME these days what is described as a "worn rack" is nearly always down to knackered ball joints on the track rods/tie bars/whatever you like to call them, which certainly does play havoc with tracking. The actual racks and pinions on modern cars seem to last way longer than they used to.