having a problem with my 03 cooper s. put new tie rod ends and tires on within 2 weeks (approx 500 miles) the front tires were completely done (hey were ballanced and car alligned). when they put it back on the rack it was toed out by just over and inch. they warrented the tires for me and realligned it. after 700 miles on the new tires they are showing toe in ware. they put it on the rack and it was of 1.2 on right and .5 on the left side.

it was alligned with the proper weights in the car and the tie rod ends were tight. i am the only driver of the car and have hit no noteable pot hole or frost heaves.

please, any ideas as to what we might be missing or causing this problem?

-thanks

 

so, you have the ball joints, the top of the strut (guide bushing), and the control arm bushing. I'd bet on the control arm bushings being shot.

But it's interesting that you didn't have the problem until the work was done... Everything tight there?

Matt

 

for the most part the tires i had on it were only 1 season old and they needed to be replaced, but not 700 miles!. usually i get 2 seasons out of w rated tires these were h so i would have expected longer. i the original post i only mentioned from tie rod end replacement as it was more quantifiable, as i easily could have knocked it out of alignment during the winter. now that you mention it thought that is a strong indication the problem existed before the tierod ends were replaced.
would the bushing actually cause it to be toed out then toed in?
-thanks, tom

 

Your LCA bushings could be shot. These can cause a change in toe during acceleration and deceleration.

 

would that also show up on the rack. that is if they move during acceleration and deceleration would they stay in the "moved" position stationary on the rack?
-thanks, tom

 

If the LCA bushings are shot, you can get inconsistent toe readings depending
on whether the wheel is pushed fore or aft or in between when on the rack.
With the car on the ground, you can usually rock the wheel about 1/4 inch
fore and aft if the LCA bushings are gone, and the toe changes as the
wheel moves fore and aft as well.

Also, check the inner and outer ball joints and the strut mount for play or wear, as Dr. O mentioned previously.