Tracking on rear wheels

[Foxy1956]

The van has passed it's MOT as usual with flying colours with the proviso that the front tyres would need to be changed soon. So I am changing them tomorrow. While I was at the tyre centre I asked the mechanic to examine the rear tyres. He was concerned about the tracking on the rear wheels and recommended changing both tyres. One tyre is only a year old and one I think was the spare.
Should I be concerned that the rear wheels could be out of alignment? Should a one year old rear tyre need changing after a year? is it possible that the rear wheels could be out of alignment or is it a clever tyre salesman, and a naive me?

 

[Figaro]

Was it Kwikfit ?

 

[Speve]

Didn't know there was any tracking on rear wheels?

 

[Foxy1956]

Was it Kwikfit ?

No, a local firm who I would say I trust. We shall have to have look at the wheels tomorrow. I expect I can the wheels alignment checked in Norwich as they can't do motorhomes because of the skirting getting in the way.

 

[Khizzie]

The van has passed it's MOT as usual with flying colours with the proviso that the front tyres would need to be changed soon. So I am changing them tomorrow. While I was at the tyre centre I asked the mechanic to examine the rear tyres. He was concerned about the tracking on the rear wheels and recommended changing both tyres. One tyre is only a year old and one I think was the spare.
Should I be concerned that the rear wheels could be out of alignment? Should a one year old rear tyre need changing after a year? is it possible that the rear wheels could be out of alignment or is it a clever tyre salesman, and a naive me?

Sounds like National tyres ambitious salesman . .they get bonuses on the amount of tyres they fit .

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[Foxy1956]

Didn't know there was any tracking on rear wheels?

What could cause the rear wheels to be out of alignment? The van has had it's annual service. Mileage is nearly 100.000 miles.

 

[tonyidle]

There's no tracking adjustment on the rear &, assuming leaf springs, little possibility of a bent axle. So all that's left is a displacement of the rear axle fore or aft on one side relative to the other. The easy solution is to have the rear tracking checked (you'll have to insist because you'll be told it isn't necessary). The alternative is to measure the wheelbase on each side axle dead centre to axle dead centre. There'll be a tolerance (probably a few mm) that will be hard to find out but your measurements would be a starting point.


Edit: If you have the front tracking checked optically (the norm these days) any rear misalignment will be found at the same time.

 

[DBK]

If only for peace of mind I would get it checked,. I guess it is possible the rear axle could be bent after hitting a kerb or pothole. In theory, if the whole axle was out of alignment the front wheels would just turn to compensate. The vehicle would then go down the road like a crab. Not unknown to see this on trucks.

 

[tonyidle]

What could cause the rear wheels to be out of alignment? The van has had it's annual service. Mileage is nearly 100.000 miles.

An extremely hard kerbing is a possibility but still unlikely.

 

[Foxy1956]

There's no tracking adjustment on the rear &, assuming leaf springs, little possibility of a bent axle. So all that's left is a displacement of the rear axle fore or aft on one side relative to the other. The easy solution is to have the rear tracking checked (you'll have to insist because you'll be told it isn't necessary). The alternative is to measure the wheelbase on each side axle dead centre to axle dead centre. There'll be a tolerance (probably a few mm) that will be hard to find out but your measurements would be a starting point.

I am having two new tyres fitted tomorrow to the front and will wait for their opinion on the rear. Can you recommend a firm who can do the measuring?

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[pappajohn]

Can you recommend a firm who can do the measuring?

Any garage or tyre bay with optical/laser tracking equipment can do it. (Most of them today)
£15 to £20 locally.

 

[pappajohn]

If your rear tyres are under inflated the outer edges will wear faster than the centre tread area and scrubbing on corners will be more pronounced as the tyres will 'roll' (deform) more than usual.

 

[Foxy1956]

Any garage or tyre bay with optical/laser tracking equipment can do it. (Most of them today)
£15 to £20 l

If your rear tyres are under inflated the outer edges will wear faster than the centre tread area and scrubbing on corners will be more pronounced as the tyres will 'roll' (deform) more than usual.

I hope with a full service and MOT that the tyre pressures would be checked. I'll check 'em tomorrow.

 

[pappajohn]

I hope with a full service and MOT that the tyre pressures would be checked. I'll check 'em tomorrow.

Tyre pressures, like lubing door hinges and locks, should be expected to be done on a full service....but don't bet on it.
When I started I was taught....If it has a moving part, oil it...including greasing exposed cables.
Seems to have fallen by the wayside these days.

 

[hilldweller]

The vehicle would then go down the road like a crab. Not unknown to see this on trucks.

I've seen this a few times over the years, follow a car on the straight yet see 4 wheels clearly. Then you notice you can see down one side. Obviously been in a shunt and not fixed properly.

Hell of a shunt for it to happen to a MH.

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[pappajohn]

I've seen this a few times over the years, follow a car on the strait yet see 4 wheels clearly. Then you notice you can see down one side. Obviously been in a shunt and not fixed properly.

Hell of a shunt for it to happen to a MH.

Oh, the ubiquitous MINI.
Never did see one run straight.

 

[WillH]

Had a couple of Iveco Cargo's at work that had the rear tracking go, the drivers swore blind they hadn't hit a Titan Kerb (they're the big ones you see on the motorway services and in ferryports) but I saw one of them clout a kerb, hard. A little bit of fettling can usually solve the problem.

 

[Enword]

Mini was wider on the front than the back it always gave the impression it was crabbing. but it wernt, my S was sideways at time's though

 

[Steve and Denise]

On a van with leaf springs on the rear it is not uncommon for the u-bolts to come loose especially if rear wheel drive this then snaps the spring spigot bolt letting the rear axel move out of line a simple fix once diagnosed.

 

[Spanner]

Is there a possibility that the rear wheels had originally been fitted to the front and moved to the rear when part worn, if so maybe the uneven wear took place while fitted to the front axle.

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[Minxy]

Is there a possibility that the rear wheels had originally been fitted to the front and moved to the rear when part worn, if so maybe the uneven wear took place while fitted to the front axle.

That's what I was wondering too ....

 

[Steve and Denise]

Can you tell us is the van Fwd or Rwd?

 

[Steve and Denise]

When you say the spare was fitted I assumed it was new?

 

[TheBig1]

easy enough to get this fault when rear air suspension bags have been fitted. i saw one guy using a metal bar on a ratchet as a torque multiplier to release the u bolts. as he pulled the bar round the van was rocking on the jack. so enough force to shift the axle on the leafspring as the bolts came loose.

 

[pappajohn]

Mini was wider on the front than the back it always gave the impression it was crabbing. but it wernt, my S was sideways at time's though

Front track was only one & a quarter inches wider than the rear.......I've seen em crabing up to 4 inches out.
Usually a badly repaired and aligned rear subframe mounting point.

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[pappajohn]

On a van with leaf springs on the rear it is not uncommon for the u-bolts to come loose especially if rear wheel drive this then snaps the spring spigot bolt letting the rear axel move out of line a simple fix once diagnosed.

But that will cause crabbing, not tyre scuffing.

 

[Enword]

Front track was only one & a quarter inches wider than the rear.......I've seen em crabing up to 4 inches out.
Usually a badly repaired and aligned rear subframe mounting point.

The Austin 1800's was known as The Landcrab in motorsport circles.

 

[Foxy1956]

Is there a possibility that the rear wheels had originally been fitted to the front and moved to the rear when part worn, if so maybe the uneven wear took place while fitted to the front axle.

No, we have had the van 8 years.

 

[Spanner]

No, we have had the van 8 years.

In that case I'd get a second opinion on the state of the tyres from someone knowledgeable who isn't trying to sell you tyres that you may not need