1997 850 t5 I just bought it and found inner rear tire wear

1997Locked850t5 · Post by **1997Locked850t5** » 17 Nov 2015, 06:53

1997 850 t5 sedan
The inner edge of the drivers side rear tire is bald. Just the edge closest to the shock/spring. The front tires are almost done with and so I bought replacements. The fronts had 205/50/16 and the rears had 205/55/16. I had read in a service manual that the rear camber isn't adjustable and that something could be bent. I then read that bushings can be interchanged to adjust alignment. I also don't have the clunk that is supposedly heard when the end link fails

Can camber be adjusted?
All the other tires don't have this problem. I don't have any under steer or loose feeling in the back. The car does need the steering wheel straightened out because its a few degrees to the right. The car pulls a little to the right too.

Thanks!

Post by **abscate** » 18 Nov 2015, 01:49

Before you go to crazy looking at the rear, get the front alignment checked. The previous ownermaybhave worn out the front, and then moved the tires to the rear.

Post by **tryingbe** » 18 Nov 2015, 10:36

I agree, get the alignment checked first, if it is within spec, forget it. If it is not, get it within spec.
It is by design that rear camber should get -1.5 to -.5 degree, which means the inner tire will wear first.

Rear toe is adjustable. Print this out and get it to the tech!

https://www.volvoclub.org.uk/tech/servi ... edures.pdf

The car does need the steering wheel straightened out because its a few degrees to the right. The car pulls a little to the right too.

There is no steering wheel straighten out. This is why you want to do a wheel alignment.

I personally like -1 to -1.5 degree camber in the front and -.5 to -1 in the back for better cornering.

205/50R16 tires is stock, but you can go 205/55R16 if you want for better ride.

Post by **hausmeister** » 22 Nov 2015, 10:02

If the rear delta link bushes are worn you also get tires bald on the inner side. Check all the bushes before aligning anything - if they are bad it is just a waste of money to get an alignment without replacing them.

Post by **alschnertz** » 23 Nov 2015, 03:18

I agree with hausmeister.
Before you throw money at an alignment, at least thoroughly inspect the delta links and the trailing arm end links / bushings. If those are worn (or end links broken as in my case) you will never get a proper alignment.
FWIW, the inside of the left rear tire is wearing faster on my '95 854T. I just noticed the end link is broken this weekend. Also, I think that explains why my steering wheel is off center...

Post by **oragex** » 23 Nov 2015, 06:08

a quick check for wheels (front or rear) toe, is to get a buddy at the opposite wheel, while measuring with a tape at the same height from ground (the highest you can get depending on the chassis ground clearance) and at the same point on the tire (such as the center of the tire) the distance between the center of two opposite tires at the front then at the rear of the tire. The distance must match within 1-2mm.