Tire Wear Problems

[sainato59]

well it's time for new rubber on the rims but I need to figure out this issue before I buy them. The inners on both front wheels are super slick and smooth and I don't want the same thing happening to the new tires and have the purchase just be a waste of money. I know the shocks aren't the greatest but I'm not sure if that's the reason for the inner wear...

Anyone experience the same problem before? Anyone know the cure or the cause for the wear?

Thanks in advance

[alfaholic75]

is it a v6 bu any chance

[papajam]

If there's no feathering on the remaining treads, then the cause would be too much negative camber. If there is outside feathering, then look at excessive toe out in addition to negative camber. A proper wheel alignment should cure the problem.

[alfaholic75]

unless you have a v6 in which case you have to be clever with the setting up and not do what alfa say

[sainato59]

the car is a 3.0 v6. The alignment had been done a few months back and ran fine for a while but now sometimes the car will pull to the right, at other times it drives perfectly straight, and then other times it pulls to the left..bushing issue? ball joints? ????

i don't want to replace the whole suspension to find out it was just the bushings.

once again only the inner 1/4s of both wheels..the rest of the 3/4 of the wheels have the same amount of wear.

thanks for the info so far

[JoeCab]

This is a classic problem with these cars when they have been lowered. The alignment shop will not be able to get rid of enough negative camber to eliminate the wear.

The solution is to trim the spacers between the chassis and lower A-Arm. This will give you enough adjustment to get an alignment that won't eat your inner front tires.

Joe

[sainato59]

ohhhhh i see. thanks for the info. never knew the car was lowered. looks like stock ride height to me but i guess you can learn something new everyday.

any idea why the steering wheel might kick like it does?

[dbgrubbs]

Many shops only correct toe and totally ingnore caster and camber. Ask SamW. He'll tell you!

Make sure when you get an alignment that they give you a printout of all three.

[slyalfa]

when was the last time you replaced the rubber bushings?
the big caster rod rubber things are lose when new and get super bad in less then a year. unless you change to a spider ball you need to change this part every year or 2 times a year. the 2nd rubber part is the upper control arm when did you change that part last?

the "sometimes the car will pull to the right, at other times it drives perfectly straight"
tells me that things are moving and any alignment is a wast untill you fix the parts that are bad and moving.

[SamW]

Don is right, I have had this issue with several alignment shops, they set toe and forget about the rest. Your caster adjustment witll affect camber, but Joe is also right, if it has been lowered, you will get excessive negative camber, The spacers on GTV6's and Milano's are different, the Milanos are thinnner, and can be used on a lowered GTV6, but if you lower the Milano, you will need to cut them down, but not much, maybe 1/8" or so.

[sainato59]

i see i see. its all starting to make sense.

slyalfa: i myself personally have never changed these pieces nor does it seem like they have ever been changed recently. i've owned this car for about a year and 2 months and most of the usual milano stuff has been taken care of but the suspension has not been touched yet. basically the previous alignment i had done was a waste of my money due to the moving parts.

so far what has to be done: find out whats moving and correct the issue? check all bushes and replace if necessary? check rubber with the arms and replace if necessary? cut down the spacers just enough? get another alignment with all 3 printouts? install new tires and be on my way?

did i miss anything?

ps. whats a spider ball?

thanks for all of the help guys

[SamW]

Also check to see if you rack is tight, just 4 bolts holding it down, I had this happen to me, but I noticed it more during turns with a huge dead spot in the middle. If the rubber on the tie rod ends is still in tact, they should be fine, if you do need new ones, try to stay away from the Frap brand, I have had bad luck with their ball joints and tie rod ends.

[slyalfa]

The big caster rod rubber things have play even when new. with the car on a alignment rack push on the car and you will never come to the same reading due to this part leting the caster rod move in and out. On the spider this part is a ball joint. so with some drilling that can be used and then you get a caster rod that can move up and down but not go in and out. There is now a kit that has some spacers that make this easy to do.

[Balocco211]

Sounds like camber. Have it checked and if greater than spec...probably a hot set-up. Might want to leave it if only occasional use.(more camber more fun!)

If longer distances and daily use are goal, here is an oldie but goodie article...

http://www.europeancarweb.com/projec...rojgtv6_06.pdf

[10-66kruk]

When you had your alignment done did you have snadbags in there i belive Alfa calls for 150 lbs on each side driver and passenger side. Also most alfas will full to the right du to the camber of the road because the slant in the road is angled to the right to drain the water and stuff. Make sure thought that if you have it realigned that you have sandbags put in the car so that there is close amount of weight inside the car. because when they do the alignment with out weight it might be set back the right way but when oyu get in and drive the car toe's out and will wear the tires.