Morris Minor Owners Club

I've just been tinkering with the wheels and brakes after the latest expedition, because they needed a bit of TLC.

The offside steering rod end ball joint has got some play in it, so I intend to change it out ASAP. While I'm at it, though, I want to do something about a problem which seems to have got worse...

the front tyres have been wearing unevenly; the nearside's outboard edge is noticeably worn, and the offside's inboard edge likewise. Except that the o/s tyre has got far worse recently.

Is this just down to the play in the ball joint, do you suppose? -or is it error in the tracking, or preload? Any suggestions?

.Probably tracking, but the play in the ball joint won't help..

that's a relief: two birds with one stone, then, hopefully

Hmm - wll - if it was 'tracking' I would expect outside edge of both tyres - or inside edge of both tyres to be worn. Your wear pattern is not that. Th TRE obviously won't be helping - so yes change that pronto. But also - park the car on a flat surface - and put a spirit level vertically against each front wheel in turn. If it's too short to span the tyre side walls (if the tyres are bulging noticeably at the bottom - blow them up to 40 psi for this test) - use a dead straight piece of wood and put the level on that. The wheels should be pretty much vertical - perhaps slightly leaning outwards is standard spec. I rather suspect your o/s may be leaning OUT (+ve camber) too far, and the nearside may be leaning IN too far (-ve camber).

If the tracking has been set "correctly", but not central, then it will give the wear exactly as described. tracking is the more likely culprit NOT camber.

Surely to a large extent the tracking "self-centres" with rack and pinion, would the difference in track rod lengths really have a significant effect? My tracking was set up by eye with a couple of long planks, camber set by eye with spacers. 15000 enthusiastic miles and the tyres are like new!

I would go with camber angles, I have seen them all over the place on moggys!

Don't agree mate. If the tracking is wrong - the steering self centres - and the two tyres wear equally ie both insides (too much toe-out) or both outsides (too much toe-in).
Of course - since all our roundabouts are 'clockwise' - if the car spends a lot of time scorching round roundies - it will certainly wear the outside edge of the nearside tyre more than any other!
Are you guilty Dru??

bmcecosse wrote:Don't agree mate. If the tracking is wrong - the steering self centres - and the two tyres wear equally ie both insides (too much toe-out) or both outsides (too much toe-in).
Of course - since all our roundabouts are 'clockwise' - if the car spends a lot of time scorching round roundies - it will certainly wear the outside edge of the nearside tyre more than any other!
Are you guilty Dru??

Thought you were disagreeing with me then!(mate) Getting my hackles up ready!

Surely with our weather you would lose the back end befor scorching the front tyres on roundabouts!!

No he is disagreeing with me AGAIN. Everybody else can suggest anything, BUT I am always wrong.

8009STEVE wrote:No he is disagreeing with me AGAIN. Everybody else can suggest anything, BUT I am always wrong.

Don't take it to heart- he disagrees with most people! Have you got disc brakes on your car by any chance?

Yep, amongst other things that he probably wouldn't like.

No - we posted almost together la - hadn't seen your reply.
The weather up here has been great lately - no rain to speak of - and since the Minor understeers like mad - yes the front tyres can take a pasting on roundies!

No - we posted almost together la - hadn't seen your reply.

So you were having a go at me Again!

8009STEVE wrote:

No - we posted almost together la - hadn't seen your reply.

So you were having a go at me Again!

Not getting a complex, I hope?

Steve - be assured - nothing personal. But I will comment on any thread entry I feel is not correct. I've suggested to Dru that she checks the camber, and yes the tracking will need setting up after fitting the new TRE.

I will comment on any thread entry

WE know!

He's got a disciple now, hanging on his every word.
Probably be writing a "good book" soon.

MarkyB wrote:He's got a disciple now, hanging on his every word.
Probably be writing a "good book" soon.

Not sure about the "hanging" reference!

whoo, the Daughter of Debate that eke discord doth sow...

..guilty as charged, BMCE, on the cornering front. Though I *rarely* get it into a slide...

Thanks for the input, chaps. I shall sort out the ball joint and then the tracking, and then check the camber angles, because you can't be too careful.

everyone has a right to a different view.