Front nearside strut not central in tower
Discussion
Hi, I've got a 2014 Ford Fiesta with suspected alignment issues:
- Excessive wear on inside edge of front offside tyre
- To steer straight, the steering wheel must be offset some
- Steering wheel shakes slightly above 70 mph
Before I get an alignment done though, I wanted to know if one of my struts or strut mounts needs replacing, to save having another alignment done after the struts have been played around with. The nearside strut does not sit central in the strut tower, but the offside one does. The offside strut mount was replaced by a garage a couple of years ago along with the coil spring as it had broken.
Here are some images of the top of the struts:
Offside: https://i.imgur.com/5Tz9isN.jpg (top mount replaced)
Nearside: https://i.imgur.com/E6llTK8.jpg
Could this non-central strut be contributing to the misalignment of the vehicle?
- Excessive wear on inside edge of front offside tyre
- To steer straight, the steering wheel must be offset some
- Steering wheel shakes slightly above 70 mph
Before I get an alignment done though, I wanted to know if one of my struts or strut mounts needs replacing, to save having another alignment done after the struts have been played around with. The nearside strut does not sit central in the strut tower, but the offside one does. The offside strut mount was replaced by a garage a couple of years ago along with the coil spring as it had broken.
Here are some images of the top of the struts:
Offside: https://i.imgur.com/5Tz9isN.jpg (top mount replaced)
Nearside: https://i.imgur.com/E6llTK8.jpg
Could this non-central strut be contributing to the misalignment of the vehicle?
E-bmw said:
Yes.
Needs doing first.
ThanksNeeds doing first.
SlimJim16v said:
But it's the tyre on the other side that is wearing. I would go to Ford and buy a pair of the correct mounts.
Yeah, I don't understand why the tyre on the side with the good strut mount is wearing excessively and not the other. Just because that is the only thing you have found, doesn't necessarily mean that that is the cause of the uneven wear.
The thing is though, that if anything is wrong with the suspension, any of it could be the cause & if you know something needs doing on the suspension, then it is best to get it done before any attempt at alignment.
Good point to get both done though.
The thing is though, that if anything is wrong with the suspension, any of it could be the cause & if you know something needs doing on the suspension, then it is best to get it done before any attempt at alignment.
Good point to get both done though.
E-bmw said:
Just because that is the only thing you have found, doesn't necessarily mean that that is the cause of the uneven wear.
The thing is though, that if anything is wrong with the suspension, any of it could be the cause & if you know something needs doing on the suspension, then it is best to get it done before any attempt at alignment.
Good point to get both done though.
Sweet, cheers. I'll get the top mounts sorted and go from there. The thing is though, that if anything is wrong with the suspension, any of it could be the cause & if you know something needs doing on the suspension, then it is best to get it done before any attempt at alignment.
Good point to get both done though.
TallPaul said:
My guess is its hit/slid into a kerb and the bottom arm is bent or the mount on the chassis has moved.
Which is also on the list of possible causes.Basically, the whole suspension needs a proper check over to make sure all is good/no obvious faults before doing the alignment.
schmuck said:
E-bmw said:
Yes.
Needs doing first.
ThanksNeeds doing first.
SlimJim16v said:
But it's the tyre on the other side that is wearing. I would go to Ford and buy a pair of the correct mounts.
Yeah, I don't understand why the tyre on the side with the good strut mount is wearing excessively and not the other. My guess, one of your lower wishbones is bent.
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