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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Tire wear

Hello. It's been a long time since I've asked a question here, but I'm hoping this is an easy one.

I've got wear on the outside of my front left tire. This is what it looks like. (First time posting a picture here.)

The right side looks fine.

Tires are 8 years old, but only have about 13,000 miles. I have the feeling from my search here that I should be looking at the bushes. Replaced them 6 years and 8,000 miles ago.

Thanks for any advice.


Mark 1275

Ah, didn't realize only one picture would appear. Here's the Left Side with the wear.

Thanks.



Mark 1275

You need to sort out you tracking, caster, camber and toe... easiest way is to get a garage with a laser kit set up for you... they won't charge much... then you need to get new tyres because after 8 years the rubber will be perished and deteriorating... but thats personal preference (unless your goverened by central european law)

C L Carter

Looks like you have too much "toe in," so tracking needs to be adjusted. The other angles are non adjustable (& yes I do know about -ve camber kits, etc.).
This site gives you the general information regarding tracking: http://www.blackboots.co.uk/tech-trackwheelalignment.php
Graham.
Graham P

There is no central EU law that says anything about the age of a trye.
Only local mot rules about the visible wear
Onno K

once you've got the wear issue sorted, at 13,000 miles over 8 years you'd be doing yourself a big favour to change the tyres as you will find improvements, tyres get hard with age and lack of use

take it easy on the new tyres for the first 100 miles or so and check the wheel nuts tightness after about 30 miles

and keep greasing the front suspension points
Nigel Atkins

Wouldn't excess toe-in wear both front tyres evenly? I suggest there is some problem with the suspension bushes on the left front.
Mike Howlett

It may be my eyes but to me both look like they have wear on the outside edge - hence I would also suggest check toe in - its easy to fix as a first step. Jack up under the wishbone and joggle the wheel to check for joint play also...

John Barber

Much appreciate all the replies. I was thinking it wasn't the toe-in because, even though the pictures don't show it clearly, the right tire practically looks new. The visible wear is only on the left. I set the toe-in back in 2004, and probably still have the jig I used somewhere in the garage. First I'll jack the left side and see if I feel play rocking top to bottom. Is there anything else that might be visible or easy to check?

I tried a long time ago to have the local alignment shop help with the set-up, but the car was too small to fit on their equipment, so after lots of head scratching we just gave up. I think the shop really wanted to give it a go because it's an interesting car, but could neither stretch the car nor shrink their gear.

I've greased the suspension at least once per year, based on the good advice from this board. And when I had it apart I think it looked like someone had spent some money on it before me, as there were (almost) no issues. (I show the work on The Fifth Year page here: www.tinyurl.com/7abt5 )

I remember what a great improvement there was in the ride and handling with the new tires, and look forward to that again. But agree I need to sort this out first.

Thanks again for the help. I'll post what I discover.
Mark 1275

Agree with John that the RF looks like it has wear on the outside. Possibly another pic with different lighting?

Toe in wear will leave sharp edges on the inside, and rounded edges outside, of tread blocks - you can feel it by running your fingers lightly across the tire.

Not uncommon that the lower inner A arm bushes/pins come adrift in the frame. Causes sloppy handling and too much toe in, if it was set right previously.

FRM
FR Millmore

Mark. Just something to throw in from left field here. I had a car(not a a midget) that I wore the left front outside edge off quite quickly and couldn't understand why, until I realised that every night coming home from work, 6 days a week I made a full right circle at the end of the street to turn the car round for the next day. I just wondered if there was anywhere that you may be doing that, but I suppose being in the US it would be the other way round. But maybe you make a full right circle somewhere.

Bernie.
b higginson

This thread was discussed between 18/04/2012 and 19/04/2012

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