Volvo XC90 (2002 - ) - 4x4 wheel balance and track | Motoring discussion | Back Room Forum

Sun 27 Apr 2008 10:44

4x4 wheel balance and track - RV Rover

My Volvo XC90 has a nasty habit of using up expensive 18inch Continental Contacts,the first set lasted 15k and the second are now getting close at 30k with one n/s rear distinctly dodgy and wearing all on the outside.Last set fitted by Volvo dealer, now closed and nearest 20miles. Dealer claimed tyres needed 4x4 balance cost £180 thank you very much, chap who did it told me "it can be out again in a few miles".What is the best way to prolong life of these tyres which are £150 ago? Specialist fit,tracking, rotation of wheels? Any thoughts? Thanks

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Sun 27 Apr 2008 11:24

4x4 wheel balance and track - gordonbennet

If 'twer me i'd get the vehicle 4 wheel laser tracked by a specialist, secondly i'd try another brand of tyre, i assume you are on 235/60 x 18.

You could have a look here tinyurl.com/38ac7l

There first tyre in your size V rated is the nokian NRVi, a very good tyre indeed, had them on the back of my merc for several thousand very quiet and comfortable (winter wheels) miles and still got 6 mm left, (have mm marking written in the tread) peculiar looking though as they are assymetric but not sided. £113 delivered.

Never heard of 4 wheel balance. Had my 4x4 tyres rebalanced testerday at cost of £5.25 each. I do rotate my tyres as much as one can, if they are directional you can only move them rear to front on the same side.

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Sun 27 Apr 2008 13:50

4x4 wheel balance and track - RV Rover

Thanks for that, certainly must be a better deal out there than the Contis, with regard to 4x4 balance, I think I should have said alignment.Is that the same as 4 wheel laser and who would you recommend, Im in Ribble Valley, Lancs, but work in Manchester. Regards.

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Sun 27 Apr 2008 14:17

4x4 wheel balance and track - Billy Whizz

I have never heard of 4x4 balance. I have been using 4x4s for 20 years. I had laser tracking done at Micheldever, Hants on a recently purchased Range Rover which was wearing out the shoulders of the front tyres - sorted.

I have 255/75 R15 tyres on my daily driver 1994 diesel MB G-wagon. I have the opposite problem in that the tyres are wearing out too slowly. They have done 45,000 miles and still have 5mm tread. It is a problem as they are the original factory supplied tyres, now 14 years old. (The car has done the remaining 55,000 miles on snow tyres and mud tyres).

The car is permanent 4wd, has only 130 bhp and these tyres have had mainly town use or 'A' road/ motorway use (so no hard cornering or braking - it is still on the second set of front brake pads). All this has a significant impact on tyre wear.

I had a long-wheel base Trooper 3.5 V6 petrol which used to guzzle rear tyres (and fuel) as it had a powerful engine with 2wd for road use.

Is your car permanent 4wd? How is your driving style? Heavy on the acceleration, braking and cornering?

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Sun 27 Apr 2008 15:12

4x4 wheel balance and track - gordonbennet

4 wheel laser

I'm in Northants so i'm not sure where you'd go in Lancs, but from what i've learned, some of the 4 wheel alignment procedures are not true, and it seems that there are some very high quality machines out there that get the true centre point of the car and set from there, whilst some others only really set the four wheels together without having the correct starting point.

I suppose you can only ask around and hopefully get a recommendation for a centre.

I do wonder why the dealership didn't sort this problem instead of sending you off to get aftermarket cures.

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Sun 27 Apr 2008 15:33

4x4 wheel balance and track - RV Rover

Thanks for advice. XC90 is AWD, not 4wd, so only cuts in when needed rather than constant. 4 wheel alignment done at Volvo dealer, I took the new tyres in cos they are a complete rip off for rubber. As my local dealership has now closed I need to find a tyre set up specialist here. Talked to another Volvo driver who was getting around 20k per set, so driving style is probably a factor, wifes car she has a more aggressive driving style than me.

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