Extreme Tyre Wear after Suspension Job. What Can I Do?

KayDat on 31/05/2018 - 23:02

I had new Bridgestone RE003s installed in Dec 2016, which are fantastic. I had some suspension work done three months ago early March and now three months later my front tyres are shredded. Despite my tyre choice (RE003 are sporty tyres), I actually drive quite conservatively as I try to be fuel economical (hey OzB runs through my veins). Rear tyres still have tons of tread left. How should I approach my mechanic?

The work done in March was to replace rear shock absorbers and front lower ball joints. Not sure if that affects tyre wear. My car is RWD.

Automotive

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 31/05/2018 - 23:05

    Could have changed your wheel alignment.

    Where is the wear on your tire?

    • KayDat on 31/05/2018 - 23:15

      Inside near the wheel well.

  • [Deactivated] on 31/05/2018 - 23:17
    +1

    You may be off camber.

  • s1n1ster on 31/05/2018 - 23:34
    +4

    Yes it affects tyre wear as your suspension geometry has changed.
    You need to get a wheel alignment after replacing critical suspension components such as lower ball joints, and shock absorbers.
    The workshop should have done the wheel alignment or recommend you to do it.

  • pegaxs on 31/05/2018 - 23:39

    If the fronts had lower ball joints replaced, then yes, a wheel alignment was definitely required.

    Depends on the wear pattern as to what the issue is. You can bring it up with the guy who did the work, but they will probably offer to check your alignment or tell you that they did it when they changed the ball joint.

    No harm in asking, but don’t be surprised if they go straight on the defensive.

    • KayDat on 01/06/2018 - 00:05

      I wasn't billed for an alignment, and I definitely wasn't asked whether I wanted one. I just assumed they would do everything that was needed as part of the job. Can I ask them to help defray part of the cost of new tyres? Certainly I would have had at least another two or three years life out of them otherwise.

      • s1n1ster on 01/06/2018 - 00:37
        +1

        I would be peeved. Any competent mechanic doing that work would do one or tell you to get one done. Their negligence has caused you damage. Definitely give it a go. But first give them a call while pretending to be a stranger. Get a quote for the exact work and then casually ask if a wheel alignment is included.

      • pegaxs on 01/06/2018 - 08:49

        You can ask them for anything you want. I am just saying, don’t be surprised if they throw out the "we told you it would need a wheel alignment" or "tyres are a wear item, we don’t cover wear items" in their reply.

        I will say this though, it is fairly unlikely all the damage happened in 3 months. You would know if a car had wheel alignment issues bad enough to wreck a set of tyres in 3 months. If it needed suspension parts replaced, it was likely that the tyre damage was already beig done by the alignment being out due to worn suspension parts.

        Anyway, there is no harm in putting it to them and see what they come up with. Dont roll over on their first suggestion, but don’t be over dramatic and try to get a new car out of it either.

  • AdosHouse on 01/06/2018 - 04:49
    +1

    Was this done at a mechanics shop that also does wheel alignments, or done at a suspension shop? If done at a mechanic that doesn't have a wheel alignment machine they probably forgot to tell you to get it done. Or maybe they did say and you just didn't hear or forgot.

  • Austaurean on 01/06/2018 - 08:31

    I had a similar issue years ago, I had a XF Ford Falcon, but with a worked 351 Cleveland in it.
    I was very careful with the tyres and it was well serviced, tyres rotated and wheel aligned at recommended intervals etc.
    But after a wheel alignment the tyres scrubbed out very quickly on the Inside edge.
    I took it back to them and they found that the adjustments were overly done so the inside edges scrubbed out quickly.
    They replaced the tyres and redid the wheel alignment to a more conventional setting and I never had a problem again.

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