bald rears AGAIN - The Ford Focus Forum

**2006pitchblackST** · 10-21-2009, 09:32 AM

So I posted last year right about this time with bald rear tires. Turned out that I needed to do an alignment after I put on the ProKit. Duh. Anyway, I bought new tires, did the alignment and everything seemed fine.

Fast forward another 16,000 miles (minus 8,000 miles worn on my winter tires) and I have bald rear tires again.

The winter tires showed almost zero wear, but the summer rears are once again completely bald. I took it back to the original alignment shop, who wants to charge me another $600 to realign it. However, I have verified that it is all still within spec (a second alignment shop).

Are the Yoko's junk? What's going on? I drive it pretty hard into corners sometimes, but that's about it. Wouldn't that wear the fronts too?

**Focusfre4k** · 10-21-2009, 09:49 AM

What exact model of tire? 16k on a high performance tire is not terrible depending on the model and how you drive it.
and wait....600 bucks for an alignment? LOL! 60 bucks max dude.

I do not see you mention rotating your tires? when was that last done?

**boostedzx3** · 10-21-2009, 09:55 AM

I have parada spec 2's and have run them since 2007 and probably have well over 15k on them and still 80% tread or better. Something seems off there.

**syntheticGT** · 10-21-2009, 10:11 AM

$600 for an alignment means one of two things is happening...

1 - they have bent you over
2 - you did some serious damage to the rear and are just not coming out with it here

**brads03zx3** · 10-21-2009, 10:17 AM

Why is the shop trying to charge you $600? Why aren't you rotating your tires? Why are you using RedStuff pads?

**sleeperlove** · 10-21-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brads03zx3

Why is the shop trying to charge you $600? Why aren't you rotating your tires? Why are you using RedStuff pads?

all VERY good questions.

OE spec toe in in the rear will wear the tires a bit faster if you don't rotate them regularly.

**huskybruiserjr** · 10-21-2009, 11:13 AM

well i recently did an alignment cuz i bent my tie rods control arms and struts
after i replaced all those had an alignment done and it was like $30 so $600 is complete **** unless its absolutly perfect

**bringler26** · 10-21-2009, 12:27 PM

I paid 80 for mine at the stealership man 600 is freaking crazy!

**MrBirdman330** · 10-21-2009, 03:21 PM

80 at Goodyear for alignment but I have seemed to notice that ST's are a pain in the bottom to keep aligned I usually visit the alignment rack twice a year minimum once in the spring and once in the fall.

**TolusD** · 10-21-2009, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrBirdman330

80 at Goodyear for alignment but I have seemed to notice that ST's are a pain in the bottom to keep aligned I usually visit the alignment rack twice a year minimum once in the spring and once in the fall.

My 05 ST stays aligned for about 2000 miles then it starts to drift left.

**MrBirdman330** · 10-21-2009, 03:43 PM

Mine lasts until I do a tire rotation then the issues begin with the drifting to the left. Then again I'm also having a problem with the left front rotor being slightly warped. I'm dreading the repair bill for that when I get enough money.

**bringler26** · 10-21-2009, 04:39 PM

I noticed after getting my tires rotated my car pulled to the left as well. Thats an interesting trend.

**brads03zx3** · 10-21-2009, 04:47 PM

Unless I am changing my alignment, it has held fine. The only reason an alignment will slip is if fasteners are loose, there is slop in the bushings, or thing are bending (potholes, curbs, etc).

**sleeperlove** · 10-21-2009, 04:47 PM

The pulling to one side or another is likely due to the difference in wear patterns. It should go away once they even out a bit. The alignment doesn't suddenly go bad when you move the tires around

**venomrogue** · 10-21-2009, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleeperlove

The pulling to one side or another is likely due to the difference in wear patterns. It should go away once they even out a bit. The alignment doesn't suddenly go bad when you move the tires around

x2

alignment affects the tires, the tires do not affect the alignment.

**Focusfre4k** · 10-22-2009, 09:39 AM

I agree 100%

When I had my 05 however, I could not get it aligned straight no matter the cost. Then again it was a total'd/reconstructed car LOL

**thenorm** · 10-22-2009, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2006pitchblackST

. However, I have verified that it is all still within spec (a second alignment shop).

"within spec" is too broad. it can be within Ford spec but still eat tires., u need to tell them exactly what you want your car aligned to. tell them you want 0 toe in on the rear tires. that will most likely cure your wear problems.

**sleeperlove** · 10-22-2009, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thenorm

"within spec" is too broad. it can be within Ford spec but still eat tires., u need to tell them exactly what you want your call aligned to. tell them you want 0 toe in on the rear tires. that will most likely cure your wear problems.

The only issue with going with 0 rear toe in the rear is that under panic braking the rear end is very unstable since as the rear suspension de compresses it toes the rear wheels out. Not something I would particularly want for a DD. Keeping that spec toe in in the rear is good for street stability.

Plenty of people have used the Ford spec toe in in the rear and with regular tire rotation have gotten perfectly even wear. You just need to not neglect rotating your tires.

**thenorm** · 10-22-2009, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleeperlove

The only issue with going with 0 rear toe in the rear is that under panic braking the rear end is very unstable since as the rear suspension de compresses it toes the rear wheels out. Not something I would particularly want for a DD. Keeping that spec toe in in the rear is good for street stability.

Plenty of people have used the Ford spec toe in in the rear and with regular tire rotation have gotten perfectly even wear. You just need to not neglect rotating your tires.

fair enough. put a little toe in if you are concerned about braking stability. but try to minimize it as much as possible.

Another thing to consider is that when you start loading the car with people and cargo, you gain toe in as the rear springs compress. So, setting toe to the 0 when on the alignment rack will have a little toe in when driving in real world conditions with people and things in the car.

Just before my big road trip this summer, i actually set some toe out, because i knew i would have a heavily loaded car for a lot of km (but i do toe adjustments in my driveway)

**GapBoyPCS** · 10-22-2009, 07:05 PM

My dealer charges only $120 for a four-wheel alignment. I have never had an issue with their settings, even after they adjusted to SVT spec once I installed the SVT suspension in my car.

I'm still lost on the $600 amount. Was that including all the stuff that needed to be replaced?

Was this car brand new (i.e. you bought the car right from the dealer new), or is the car used? It sounds like something is significantly off either in the settings or worn components -- assuming you don't get the same problems when your winter tires are on.

**MichaelXi** · 10-22-2009, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleeperlove

The only issue with going with 0 rear toe in the rear is that under panic braking the rear end is very unstable since as the rear suspension de compresses it toes the rear wheels out.

Nope.
After much study, it actually toes them IN to alter the "Slip Angle" when under compression.
0 Should be fine, but there's nothing wrong with going a HAIR to the toe'd IN side in the Rear.
Up front, How much Toe OUT I'd recommend depends on how much Negative Camber you're running.

**ZX3autoxtasy** · 10-22-2009, 08:21 PM

Guys, he hit an extra zero.

I think he meant $60.

**sleeperlove** · 10-22-2009, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelXi

Nope.
After much study, it actually toes them IN to alter the "Slip Angle" when under compression.
0 Should be fine, but there's nothing wrong with going a HAIR to the toe'd IN side in the Rear.
Up front, How much Toe OUT I'd recommend depends on how much Negative Camber you're running.

I said toes out under DE compression Mike, I don't dispute that it toes IN under compression.
Also, I say from experience that 0 cause the rear to be unstable under heavy braking, its not a guess

**MrBirdman330** · 10-23-2009, 12:03 AM

I've known alignment specialists to also do 0 camber on the rear wheels.

**MichaelXi** · 10-23-2009, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleeperlove

I said toes out under DE compression Mike, I don't dispute that it toes IN under compression.

I'm confused at what you're saying...

As I read it, you're saying two opposite things.
What am I missing?

10-21-2009, 09:32 AM	#1 (permalink)
2006pitchblackST TEAM Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 126	bald rears AGAIN So I posted last year right about this time with bald rear tires. Turned out that I needed to do an alignment after I put on the ProKit. Duh. Anyway, I bought new tires, did the alignment and everything seemed fine. Fast forward another 16,000 miles (minus 8,000 miles worn on my winter tires) and I have bald rear tires again. The winter tires showed almost zero wear, but the summer rears are once again completely bald. I took it back to the original alignment shop, who wants to charge me another $600 to realign it. However, I have verified that it is all still within spec (a second alignment shop). Are the Yoko's junk? What's going on? I drive it pretty hard into corners sometimes, but that's about it. Wouldn't that wear the fronts too? __________________ Eibach ProKit springs- 17"ASA AR1's- Yoko Parada Spec 2(summer)- stock 15" painted black with General Artimax Arctic(winter)-FS strut tower brace- Steeda Tri/Ax short throw- Brembo crossdrilled rotors- EBC redstuff pads- FS CoolFlo

10-21-2009, 09:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
Focusfre4k I pay 5 dollar! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: OR Posts: 3,294	Re: bald rears AGAIN What exact model of tire? 16k on a high performance tire is not terrible depending on the model and how you drive it. and wait....600 bucks for an alignment? LOL! 60 bucks max dude. I do not see you mention rotating your tires? when was that last done? __________________ 2008 Focus coupe - current 2005 Focus ZX5 - gone, but not forgotten "you could walk around with an overpriced slow Mac in a manila folder and be like "Yo, check this out, aww yeah, you didn't think there was a laptop inside but there was!!!""- Ducman

10-21-2009, 09:55 AM	#3 (permalink)
boostedzx3 [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Enola, PA Posts: 5,875	Re: bald rears AGAIN I have parada spec 2's and have run them since 2007 and probably have well over 15k on them and still 80% tread or better. Something seems off there. __________________ Looking for a riding mower, snow thrower, push mower, weed wacker? Contact me, or email at LNservices@ymail.com Photoshop this euro kit and wheels on my car pleaz! http://forums.focaljet.com/focus-con...it-my-car.html

10-21-2009, 10:11 AM	#4 (permalink)
syntheticGT Tarderator aka: Red-SE-00' Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: slowredspi Posts: 13,815	Re: bald rears AGAIN $600 for an alignment means one of two things is happening... 1 - they have bent you over 2 - you did some serious damage to the rear and are just not coming out with it here __________________ New Project coming soon...xB is stock again. .2006 .Scion .xB .Polar White *Team SunWorks [FJ] focaljet - GUIDELINES - GALLERY - [FJ]WALLPAPER - STORE - SPONSORS - SEARCH - Any Questions?**

10-21-2009, 10:17 AM	#5 (permalink)
brads03zx3 [FJ] Addict Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 11,664	Re: bald rears AGAIN Why is the shop trying to charge you $600? Why aren't you rotating your tires? Why are you using RedStuff pads? __________________ Mountain Tested----'03 zetec ZX3 vs MNTN - 15-1 & ZX3 vs TRACK - 23/1 *JCM Racing #88* Back to Dual Purpose Focusing Vacuum Vulture Racing - We add stiffness

10-21-2009, 11:13 AM	#7 (permalink)
huskybruiserjr TEAM Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: wisconsin, germany, iraq Posts: 147	Re: bald rears AGAIN well i recently did an alignment cuz i bent my tie rods control arms and struts after i replaced all those had an alignment done and it was like $30 so $600 is complete **** unless its absolutly perfect __________________ rockin an 04 ford focus svt thats sonic blue with AEM cold air intake, CFM 67mm throttle body, BORLA cat back, FocusSport strut tower bar, msd coil pack and wires also rockin a black 2000 zx3 thats stock except for the full obx exhaust catless with a fart can(came with the car bought it for 3k last time home on leave)

10-21-2009, 12:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
bringler26 TEAM Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 315	Re: bald rears AGAIN I paid 80 for mine at the stealership man 600 is freaking crazy!

10-21-2009, 03:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
MrBirdman330 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: At a U-Haul Center near you. Posts: 1,473	Re: bald rears AGAIN 80 at Goodyear for alignment but I have seemed to notice that ST's are a pain in the bottom to keep aligned I usually visit the alignment rack twice a year minimum once in the spring and once in the fall. __________________ Everybody says you can't make money off small cars. Well, you'd better damn well figure out how to make money, because that's where the world is going. - Alan Mulally

10-21-2009, 03:43 PM	#11 (permalink)
MrBirdman330 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: At a U-Haul Center near you. Posts: 1,473	Re: bald rears AGAIN Mine lasts until I do a tire rotation then the issues begin with the drifting to the left. Then again I'm also having a problem with the left front rotor being slightly warped. I'm dreading the repair bill for that when I get enough money. __________________ Everybody says you can't make money off small cars. Well, you'd better damn well figure out how to make money, because that's where the world is going. - Alan Mulally

10-21-2009, 04:39 PM	#12 (permalink)
bringler26 TEAM Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 315	Re: bald rears AGAIN I noticed after getting my tires rotated my car pulled to the left as well. Thats an interesting trend.

10-21-2009, 04:47 PM	#13 (permalink)
brads03zx3 [FJ] Addict Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 11,664	Re: bald rears AGAIN Unless I am changing my alignment, it has held fine. The only reason an alignment will slip is if fasteners are loose, there is slop in the bushings, or thing are bending (potholes, curbs, etc). __________________ Mountain Tested----'03 zetec ZX3 vs MNTN - 15-1 & ZX3 vs TRACK - 23/1 *JCM Racing #88* Back to Dual Purpose Focusing Vacuum Vulture Racing - We add stiffness

10-21-2009, 04:47 PM	#14 (permalink)
sleeperlove You wouldn't like me when I'm angry. Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Apex hunting Posts: 9,826	Re: bald rears AGAIN The pulling to one side or another is likely due to the difference in wear patterns. It should go away once they even out a bit. The alignment doesn't suddenly go bad when you move the tires around __________________ “Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless - like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.” - Bruce Lee

10-22-2009, 09:39 AM	#16 (permalink)
Focusfre4k I pay 5 dollar! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: OR Posts: 3,294	Re: bald rears AGAIN I agree 100% When I had my 05 however, I could not get it aligned straight no matter the cost. Then again it was a total'd/reconstructed car LOL __________________ 2008 Focus coupe - current 2005 Focus ZX5 - gone, but not forgotten "you could walk around with an overpriced slow Mac in a manila folder and be like "Yo, check this out, aww yeah, you didn't think there was a laptop inside but there was!!!""- Ducman

10-22-2009, 07:05 PM	#20 (permalink)
GapBoyPCS Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Waterloo/Toronto/GTA, Ontario, Canada Posts: 10,227	Re: bald rears AGAIN My dealer charges only $120 for a four-wheel alignment. I have never had an issue with their settings, even after they adjusted to SVT spec once I installed the SVT suspension in my car. I'm still lost on the $600 amount. Was that including all the stuff that needed to be replaced? Was this car brand new (i.e. you bought the car right from the dealer new), or is the car used? It sounds like something is significantly off either in the settings or worn components -- assuming you don't get the same problems when your winter tires are on. __________________ Richard - 2002 ZTS \| Sangria Red \| 434,000+ km...Be Bold, Stay Focused 24-7 Redline Rendezvous \| OFOC - Ontario Focus Owners Club \| SVTOA-Toronto [FJ] focaljet - Forum Guidelines - Welcome to the Jet - Team Canada - FJ Store - Sponsors - SEARCH

10-22-2009, 08:21 PM	#22 (permalink)
ZX3autoxtasy [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: atlanta Posts: 5,244	Re: bald rears AGAIN Guys, he hit an extra zero. I think he meant $60. __________________ 2008 Specialized Tarmac:: 0.0mpg with more carbon than your Focus. Pure. Power. 2007 Ridley Crossbow: Beware. Terrorizing you town until I sell it for a TT bike. 2004 Pitch Black 5spd 2.0L(Z) ZX3: Eibach Pro-Kit Springs, Eibach Pro-Kit Dampers, Brembo Rotors, Hawk HPS Pads, H&R 24mm Rear Swaybar, P-51 Shims, Focus-Sport Cool-Flo, Focus-Sport front & rear stress bar, MBRP Cat-Back, [Track] 15'' Steelies with 205/50/15 Falken Azeni RT-615's,[Street]UK ST200 Mondeo Wheels w/ Toyo Proxes 4 215/45/17's, Quantum Audio 12''/Quantum 800w Amp, Custom Ported Box, SVT Lip, and tons of other stuff...

10-23-2009, 12:03 AM	#24 (permalink)
MrBirdman330 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: At a U-Haul Center near you. Posts: 1,473	Re: bald rears AGAIN I've known alignment specialists to also do 0 camber on the rear wheels. __________________ Everybody says you can't make money off small cars. Well, you'd better damn well figure out how to make money, because that's where the world is going. - Alan Mulally

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