A couple of weeks ago I was checking the tyre pressures on the Focus and decided to check the treads as well (I hadn't done it for months as all the tyres are less than a year old). Both back tyres and the front O/S were fine, in fact they had hardly worn at all - brilliant, but then I checked the front N/S and couldn't believe what I saw. The outside edge of the treads was down to 2mm, the centre down to 1.6mm (level with the wear marker) and the inside edge was almost completely bald with only minor traces of there ever being treads there.

Due to monetary issues nothing has been done about it yet (I know!) but it has been booked in for a new tyre on Tuesday, don't worry.

The issue now though is why it wore so fast in the first place. The first thing to come to my mind was either alignment or camber, but the alingment is fine (as I said the front O/S tyre has no uneven wear and the car does not pull in either direction) and I am sure I read somewhere that the camber is not adjustable on Focuses so it couldn't be that (unless something was bent, which I really hope is not the case).

I am aware that the new tyre about to be fitted will wear just as quickly as the current one if the underlying issue is not treated, hence posting here.

The only possible symptom I have noticed is that there is a slight judder eminating from the said tyre when the car reaches 60MPH, but goes away when you speed up past that or slow down below it. I know it is not balancing that is causing that as the front tyres were replaced for the last MOT and were balanced there and then. This has been something that has been there since we bought the car last April and since it went through the MOT last June I determined it was obviously not anything dangerous and could be left alone for a while.

Lastly, one advisory it got for the MOT last year, aside from the usual trailing arm bushes, was that there is slight play in the steering rack. Could it be possible that it is only affecting one side?

Thanks in advance.

The wheel might need balanced or be buckled which could cause it

You say the alignment is OK but have you actually had it checked? Car might drive straight but the alignment can still be out. Get a proper 4 wheel alignment check done by a garage that uses hunter equipment or equivalent.

This sounds like alignment to me.

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The wheel might need balanced or be buckled which could cause it

The wheel (rim) was changed at the MOT plus it was balanced there too and the judder continued so I am certain that isn't to blame.

You say the alignment is OK but have you actually had it checked? Car might drive straight but the alignment can still be out. Get a proper 4 wheel alignment check done by a garage that uses hunter equipment or equivalent.

This sounds like alignment to me.

Sent from my Zetec S using the FOC for Android app

Would the alignment cause the wheel judder as I am sure the two are connected (could be wrong though).

Possibly, worn/damaged suspension components causing alignment to be out or just out and needs adjustment.

At the end of the day if that hasn't been checked then that needs to be your first port of call imo.

Sent from my Zetec S using the FOC for Android app