Cockeyed Steering Wheel - Tires wear on Outside

IamDocH · 12-12-2007, 08:56 PM

Alright, y'all, I'm glad I found this site, 'cause I'm pinning my hopes on ya.

I have an '86 MR2 with 85K miles on it. I put new tires on when I bought it 2 years ago, and within 3 months, the outside tread of the front tires had worn completely smooth, while the inside was fine. (Pigeon-toed).

I got it completely aligned and got new tires in March. A month ago, I noticed the steering wheel would alternately shift between straight and about 10 degrees off center. In other words, one minute everything was straight, the next minute, it was way off center, and centering the wheel causes the car to go way left. VBack and forth. Now it seems to have settled at the off-center position.

Today, while changing the oil, I see the front tires, with less than 4K miles on them, have completely worn down on the outsides edges, while the inside is completely smooth.

I've had this car completely aligned twice now. At $230 a pop for new front tires, I'm grinding my teeth. I've read that the struts and rods tend to be a problem with these cars. Anyone have any ideas for me?

If someone gives me the answer that cures the problem, I'll buy them a pizza. Delivered anywhere in the US.

Seriously, man.

PHOENIX · 12-12-2007, 09:23 PM

Check your steering Rack!

That is where i would start with the indications that you said. Can't say ive ever taken one apart, or played with it, but i would say that is probably the problem. For it to be slanted to one side, i would say a steering brace is screwed up. This would also probably be the reason for you tires going bad.

Gairloch · 12-12-2007, 11:32 PM

Have you checked to make sure that your tie rods etc are all right?

To check this you lift the car and take hold of each wheel in turn then shake.

You hold the wheel at 9 o`clock and 3 o`clock and wiggle; if there's movement that indicates a problem with tie rods or as Phoenix suggested possibly the steering rack.

Wiggle at 12 o`clock and 6 o`clock and if you find movement here that indicates that the ball joints are worn.

Wiggle in all positions can be an indicator of a wheel bearing going out also.

Mista 2 · 12-14-2007, 04:23 AM

i have heard of this happening with a bent chassis, you can get the wheels aligned to counteract this but it is real hit and miss

12-12-2007, 08:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
IamDocH No Skills Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Cockeyed Steering Wheel - Tires wear on Outside Alright, y'all, I'm glad I found this site, 'cause I'm pinning my hopes on ya. I have an '86 MR2 with 85K miles on it. I put new tires on when I bought it 2 years ago, and within 3 months, the outside tread of the front tires had worn completely smooth, while the inside was fine. (Pigeon-toed). I got it completely aligned and got new tires in March. A month ago, I noticed the steering wheel would alternately shift between straight and about 10 degrees off center. In other words, one minute everything was straight, the next minute, it was way off center, and centering the wheel causes the car to go way left. VBack and forth. Now it seems to have settled at the off-center position. Today, while changing the oil, I see the front tires, with less than 4K miles on them, have completely worn down on the outsides edges, while the inside is completely smooth. I've had this car completely aligned twice now. At $230 a pop for new front tires, I'm grinding my teeth. I've read that the struts and rods tend to be a problem with these cars. Anyone have any ideas for me? If someone gives me the answer that cures the problem, I'll buy them a pizza. Delivered anywhere in the US. Seriously, man.

12-12-2007, 11:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
Gairloch Dreaming of apexes Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 4,848 Thanks: 125 Thanked 258 Times in 228 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (7/100% )	Have you checked to make sure that your tie rods etc are all right? To check this you lift the car and take hold of each wheel in turn then shake. You hold the wheel at 9 o`clock and 3 o`clock and wiggle; if there's movement that indicates a problem with tie rods or as Phoenix suggested possibly the steering rack. Wiggle at 12 o`clock and 6 o`clock and if you find movement here that indicates that the ball joints are worn. Wiggle in all positions can be an indicator of a wheel bearing going out also. __________________ "Inside the car, the world beyond the driver's immediate horizon ceases to exist. Alone with the solitude of his desire, survival sense numbed by the speed, he's outrun the mediocrity of the outside world, slipped the shackles it tries to clamp on us all. He is running free, chased only by a fear of failure, for failure is to risk ejection into the real world." ~Mark Hughes

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12-12-2007, 09:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
PHOENIX Beams Owners Group Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: On Hiatus....... Posts: 7,914 Thanks: 84 Thanked 260 Times in 197 Posts Blog Entries: 1 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (46/100% )	Check your steering Rack! That is where i would start with the indications that you said. Can't say ive ever taken one apart, or played with it, but i would say that is probably the problem. For it to be slanted to one side, i would say a steering brace is screwed up. This would also probably be the reason for you tires going bad.

12-14-2007, 04:23 AM	#4 (permalink)
Mista 2 Cage Fighter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 461 Thanks: 16 Thanked 21 Times in 21 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	i have heard of this happening with a bent chassis, you can get the wheels aligned to counteract this but it is real hit and miss