Oppo Game : What's Wrong With My Car?

"Party-vi" (party-vi)
03/18/2014 at 08:22 • Filed to: None

Morning. I'm taking my car in for service today, and thought this might be a fun game to play.

Symptoms: uneven front tire wear and cupping. Essentially, I've got cupping and wear on the inside edges of my front tires.

Possible explanations:

Front control arm bushings need replaced

Struts need replaced

Alignment is needed due to severe toe-out

What do you guys (and girls) think? Answer at 4:00pm EST.

DISCUSSION (29)

Clown Shoe Pilot > Party-vi
03/18/2014 at 08:26

"need replaced"? Are you in western PA or eastern OH?

Party-vi > Clown Shoe Pilot
03/18/2014 at 08:29

Not even close. Is there something strange about how I worded that? O_o

Clown Shoe Pilot > Party-vi
03/18/2014 at 08:30

You left out "to be". It's a common construction around Pittsburgh.

505Turbeaux > Party-vi
03/18/2014 at 08:32

alignment or tie rods are worn, causing the toe out on acceleration. Is this on the BMW?

Party-vi > Clown Shoe Pilot
03/18/2014 at 08:37

So, "to be" or not "to be", that is the question?

Party-vi > 505Turbeaux
03/18/2014 at 08:38

Yes -__-

Brewman15 > Party-vi
03/18/2014 at 08:38

hmm...well if I'm stalking you correctly you have an E36 BMW, right?

So, based on the age I'm going to go with control arm bushings need to be replaced, but the shop will come back and tell you also need new tie-rods, ball joints, and hubs cuz $$$.

505Turbeaux > Party-vi
03/18/2014 at 08:40

I still bet you the cup bushings on the back end of those control arms are junk, they always seem to be, but it wont cause inside wear

Clown Shoe Pilot > Party-vi
03/18/2014 at 08:41

Kinja'd!!!

Party-vi > Brewman15
03/18/2014 at 08:41

Your stalking skills are good, but need improvement - it's an E46. Also, the shop shouldn't kill me on it, as they're pretty well respected and I've had work done there before.

Party-vi > 505Turbeaux
03/18/2014 at 08:43

The FCAB's looked OK the last time I inspected them (less than a month ago). No tears or anything on them. I'm thinking it's the struts and an alignment, which means I'm getting some Koni FSD's :D

EL_ULY > Party-vi
03/18/2014 at 08:47

could be all that "jumping to conclusion" stuff or just wrong tire pressure lol :]

505Turbeaux > Party-vi
03/18/2014 at 08:47

sounds like a good excuse to me. I am getting a wallowing on the front end of the 100 quattro, and I just found Bilstein sports on sale for $44 a corner f, $60 a side rear. Excuses, excuses

Party-vi > EL_ULY
03/18/2014 at 09:02

It's a BMW, which means it could just also hate me.

Party-vi > 505Turbeaux
03/18/2014 at 09:02

Wish the FSD's were that cheap. I'm looking at $650 shipped.

Brewman15 > Party-vi
03/18/2014 at 09:03

Damn. I'll have to hone in my skills more.

Finding a well-respected shop seems to be getting increasingly difficult, but I still vote for control arm bushings.

505Turbeaux > Party-vi
03/18/2014 at 09:03

yeah I like the clearance rack :)

EL_ULY > Party-vi
03/18/2014 at 09:14

I've owned a bunch a BMW's. These are car issues, not BMW issues :]

But if you want to gets specific, Strut mount, lower ball joint, tie rod ends, sway bar links, wheel bearing, rear bushing, bent wheel, leaking strut, or just that IT IS NORMAL given the alignment geometry (high front caster 'scrub radius' and rear camber) for the tires to wear like that. When I worked at Lexus, there was a sticker on the IS 250/350 (and other RWD cars) upon purchase by the customer has to removed stating (10,000 is the expected tire wear). Same with most cars here at my current dealer, even Volvo S60's. Cars would come in with 8-9/32nd's of tread up to the inner edge, then it would be metal belts showing in the inner edge. ALL NORMAL! Handles better than an ES though.

Party-vi > Brewman15
03/18/2014 at 09:17

If that's the case then I can do them myself. Well, I could do all of it myself, but I'd rather not diagnose the wrong problem and replace something needlessly.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Party-vi
03/18/2014 at 09:17

Temptation quite strong to answer "because BMW lol", as I've twice now seen new Bims with uneven tire wear because they were "born that way" i.e. the runflats were just too hard for the suspension geometry - swapping to less stupid tires fixed the problem. Since it's a E46, though, idunnolol.

Party-vi > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
03/18/2014 at 09:35

I get the feeling they're going to get it on the alignment rack and just give me the worst look when they see how terrible it is.

FrederickLawOlmsteez > Party-vi
03/18/2014 at 09:45

Let me get this straight. Your theory is that the toe is out of wack, but there are no other typical poor alignment characteristics? How many miles on this car? Have you ever done any work on the front suspension? I'm going with shocks/struts or air pressure.

The Compromiser > Party-vi
03/18/2014 at 09:47

I like this game. I think we should make it a regular occurrence. It could be an excellent resource for those of us who haven't the foggiest on some things.

For example: I also take my car in to get the front end looked at tomorrow. It now creaks when I turn left. add that to the popping noises when I turn the wheels sometimes and the rattle noises when I go over bumps and I think bushings. Possibly Lower Control Arm. I don't like the shop I use but they are covered for the extended warranty (No Deductible) and I already told them that if they can't hear anything (Like last time) I will come over and take the mechanic for a drive so he can explain the noises and why they aren't a problem (Spoiler, they ARE).

Then I will take it to my actual mechanic, get it fixed right, pay the fucking deductible and be happy. I want to give them a chance to come through first. Then if they don't.... Donkey Punch!

Party-vi > FrederickLawOlmsteez
03/18/2014 at 09:57

I'm at 135k I think (purchased last year at 111k). After I purchased the car an independent shop did some maintenance and stated everything rode fine. I've inspected the FCABs and they were replaced in '09/'10. I do have some vibration under braking and a small amount of slop in the steering (could be tie-rod ends). I've never touched the front suspension. I've never had an alignment and I understand that excessive toe-out can cause the inside tires to wear and cup, but I also know that worn struts will cause cupping as well. I think it might be a combination of both, as the cupping is limited to the inside of the front tires. Air pressure on the tires is good.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Party-vi
03/18/2014 at 23:11

I would guess. Out of alignment. I would think worn parts would lead to motion that would cause wear to both the inside and outside.

Party-vi > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
03/18/2014 at 23:13

I think that's it. Tech said all the suspension components were good and there wasn't enough time to do an alignment. Bonus, I did see a 1972 911E that was offered for sale at $149,000 O_o

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Party-vi
03/19/2014 at 01:18

Sweet I'll just grab my wallet.. sell a kidney....Lung?

Party-vi > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
03/19/2014 at 08:05

You'd need both kidneys and probably your liver. IIRC kidneys are worth about $60k.

The Compromiser > Party-vi
03/19/2014 at 12:39

So I am getting BOTH Lower Control Arms replaced now... Thanks Obama!