So, I noticed the front tires on the lady's '03 Taurus were worn down way more than they should be after 6 months and 5K miles. Firestone Affinity Touring (store version) 215/60R16, installed on Labor Day 2013 with 11/32. Now the left front is 8/32 while the right is closer to 9/32.
When I saw that I suspected alignment woes and asked if the car tracks straight or has a shimmy, wobble etc. The boss reported no problems, just a smooth ride. Scratching my head, off go I to the Firestone shop where we had them installed.
Turns out the left inner tie rod was badly worn. At least in part due to that, the front left toe measured -02.52---way out of spec. (-0.23 to 0.03) That was the culprit of the fast treadwear, they said. It turns out they suggested tie rod replacement when the boss had the tires installed, but she says I told her never to fall for add-on work pitches, especially from chains....and she's right.
So I had them replace the tie rod end and do an alignment, which brought toe within spec. Should have done that when we got the tires, but oh well....all should be good going forward, but a few questions for you experts:
1. With toe _that_ far out of spec, would a careful driver not sense or feel it?
2. Is it normal for alignment and suspension to wear down a 70K-warrantied tire by 3/32 in 5K miles? Even when it is way out of spec?
3. Wondering if we got a good deal. With coupon paid about $305 for the tie rod replacement, alignment and a Kendall syn-blend oil change. Maybe could have saved a few $$$ going to an indy garage for the tie rod work, but I wanted to get this over with.
Thanks.
When I saw that I suspected alignment woes and asked if the car tracks straight or has a shimmy, wobble etc. The boss reported no problems, just a smooth ride. Scratching my head, off go I to the Firestone shop where we had them installed.
Turns out the left inner tie rod was badly worn. At least in part due to that, the front left toe measured -02.52---way out of spec. (-0.23 to 0.03) That was the culprit of the fast treadwear, they said. It turns out they suggested tie rod replacement when the boss had the tires installed, but she says I told her never to fall for add-on work pitches, especially from chains....and she's right.
So I had them replace the tie rod end and do an alignment, which brought toe within spec. Should have done that when we got the tires, but oh well....all should be good going forward, but a few questions for you experts:
1. With toe _that_ far out of spec, would a careful driver not sense or feel it?
2. Is it normal for alignment and suspension to wear down a 70K-warrantied tire by 3/32 in 5K miles? Even when it is way out of spec?
3. Wondering if we got a good deal. With coupon paid about $305 for the tie rod replacement, alignment and a Kendall syn-blend oil change. Maybe could have saved a few $$$ going to an indy garage for the tie rod work, but I wanted to get this over with.
Thanks.
