So here's the deal. I replaced all 4 tires on my B7 in December and had it aligned.
I have been getting regular rotations at 5k miles since. I went in last week and Americas Tire store says they cant do a rotation because the fronts are ready to go into the cord on the inside edge! WTF!?
These Yokos have only 25k miles on them. Then tire guy says "oh, those alignments don't last long. They'll go out the first time you hit some train tracks..."
These tires came with a 55k mileage warranty!!!
I smell bullshit.
Are these cars known for eating the inside edges off thier fronts???

Geo

 

I'd go to where you got the tires and have them replace them under warranty. You didnt even make half through the tires rated mileage before they were shot.

If it was these guys then have them replace the tires.

 

Well eating the inside of the tires indicates you have negative camber, im guessing this car is lowered?

 

Also, do you know the difference of what toe wear and camber wear looks like? Because if its feathered due to a poor toe angle you could actually go after the shop that last aligned it, the toe won't just change by going over a railroad track.

 

25k miles huh.
Did you rotate tires during that time?
Your alignment can change if you hit something hard like a curb.
They probably didnt do a good job aligning to begin with.

 

yeah sounds like toe out... also these cars have more power too the front tires which is something i learned from auditech79 haha so could be just abad align if youve been rotating them than you should have inside wear on all four tires?? also remember that a tire store is going to try to sell you tires regardless, like a parts store ect... thats why i became a tech, working on your own stuff helps you understand what those flashy esp lights and power corners are doing to your car! and parts are cheaper, +labor is free!

 

Go back to the shop that you got the tires from and that did the alignment. You also want to ask for a print out of the numbers.


If the car has been lowered it could be a combo of too much neg camber and bad toe. If the car is lowered and has too much neg camber you might want to go over to Quattro World and get into the GB for the Stern Adjustable Control arms. I would post a link but it seems QW is not loading for me.

 

Do you know if the shop that did the alignment had the correct equipment? An Audi requires special weights to be hung on the car or the alignment will not be correct. I was told that the weight mimics the car under load. Where I live, only the Audi dealership and the European car repair shop have the weights. I only found this out because when I checked into an alignment at Sears, one of the shop guys, who owns an Audi, told me that few places can do an alignment for an Audi because they don't have the weights. I checked one place that did not even have a clue that the weights were needed, and would have done an alignment. Fortunately I found out from the tech at Sears the correct info before I could have destroyed my new tires.

 

After my last rant, I decided to get an 'Independant' decision before going back to Americas' Tire Store and getting into a fight. Never mind I have been a customer of thiers for over 20 fricken' years...

Thanks for all the great replies as well. I can only say 'being informed is being well armed'. First off, I attempted to recontact the alignment shop that did the last alignment back in December of 08' and were reccommended by Americas Tire Store. The phone was disconnected, an apparent victim of the economy or lousy work.

Next, I visited a GREAT tire store in Temecula, CA, called M&M. While waiting for an alignment check (to use as ammo with Americas Tire) the owner asked me if I was aware that the Yoko's that were on the car were 'Club Tires'? WTF are club tires? I learned they are tires manufactured by name brand factories like Michelin, Yoko, and others, designed cheaper to be sold to an unsuspecting public (me) by major distributors like Amerias Tire, Costco, and Wal-Mart. Sure they have brand names on them, but are inferior in quality in most respects.

Now I'm getting really pissed! I paid top dollar for cheap crap!?

By now the alignment was completed, and the numbers were only slightly off, but now I had a decision to make. Because my B-7 has the Sport Suspension and is lowered, it is set up slightly 'Toe out' he says for handling. The windy road I drive for half of my commute can only be negotiated at 45-50 mph so big deal, I say how can we fix this? Hhe sets the front up with more toe, and now the car won't eat the inside of its tires. Sweet!

I had aleady been planning my bitch-fest with Americas Tires, but now realize they will just pull the 'alignment' card on me, so I purchase two german made Westlake tires for the rear at a screaming price and I'm on my way.

Americas Tire will never get one more penny from me in the future. Those guys knew my situation, and how the car was set up and failed to disclose it. FYVM, I will vote with my feet.

Thanks again for all the great information, forum brothers and sisters!

Pointman

 

Hey Pointman, I dont have an Audi yet--we're thinking of an 08 S Line A4--so your post caught my eye.
I dont want my tires getting eaten, especially at those prices.
So the guy at MM in Temecula--set you up right?
I live close, so when we get our car--I will go check them out.

Also, did he say how you determine whether you have "club tires" or the real $hit?
If I gotta pay, I want the goods.
I wonder if I can get COSTCO to order the real deal tires for their lower prices?

Thanks for the heads up on the alignment issue.