Tsb (03-13-5): Rear Inner Tire Wear

[svt170]

I'm wondering who has had this TSB done...

Many of you know that my car was involved in an accident two months ago. When I got it back, I did a thorough inspection over the course of a weekend. Well, I noticed that my driver side, rear wheel was cambered more than the passenger side rear. Passenger was cambered too, but not as bad. A noticable difference visually. I talked to the bodyshop, and told them about the TSB, and how that may be the problem. To make a long story short, Ford replaced both rear control arms with the TSB and both wheels are straight now. Apparently they have had MANY problems with Focus control arms, and they have replaced more than they care to admit to. The new control arms are 1/2" longer than stock. I saw a new '04 on the lot, and the rear wheels are also cambered. Mine are now fine. I was also told by the alignment guy that the specs from Ford are not very precise. My old set-up was with-in spec, but was visually off. I guess they have new spec's for the new arms. The reason for the camber from the factory was for performance, but I guess it is causing too much tire wear. I'm glad I had mine done.
So, again, I'm wondering who else has had this TSB performed on their cars, and if they have any comments. Comments are open to all, of course.
For those of you who have not had this done, would you mind checking? Look at your car from the rear, on a level surface. You will see your rear tires at an angle (I believe it is negative camber-in at the top, out at the bottom), and see if one is more than the other. I was told it could be either wheel, not neccessarily just the driver side. If they are the same, the TSB still applies as the new control arms replace the driver side and passenger side.
Thanks. I'm curious to know what you SVTF owners think of this.

[deactivated]

you have an 02 right? This was a big problem for 02s....it was with mine. I'm not aware of the problem with 03s and 04s

[svt170]

I own an '03.
Maybe the problem really hasn't come up yet as not many people are experiencing the tire wear yet. I only have 7400 miles so far. What made me notice was that one wheel was cambered more than the other.

[deactivated]

hmmm. Well there was a special service bulletin that gave revised alignment specs. you might want to see if having it re-aligned to those specs would fix the problem. It seemed to fix the problem on my old 02.

[svt170]

I've already got the new control arms installed, per the TSB. I'm sure the alignment is up to spec now as well. They told me that they have had MANY problems with Focus rear control arms, and the TSB takes care of it. That TSB is for all Foci, yes? Not just the SVT?

[GapBoyPCS]

I've already got the new control arms installed, per the TSB. I'm sure the alignment is up to spec now as well. They told me that they have had MANY problems with Focus rear control arms, and the TSB takes care of it. That TSB is for all Foci, yes? Not just the SVT?

The TSB applies to all Foci.

The one thing to note is that this TSB is to be done as the "last" resort. As inteller stated, there were some revised alignment specs. However, I was told that they were subsequently revised again. The camber should be out to -1.0, I think. So, the wheels would look like \ / up in the air, and come to the ground as | |. If the adjustments don't work, then they will go ahead with the TSB.

PLEASE NOTE: If you're out of warranty, you will have to PAY for the work to be done. As with most other TSBs, this one falls under the limits of your bumper-to-bumper warranty (3 yrs/36,000 miles or 3 yrs/60,000 km).

[focusben]

I'm having outer tire wear now after a realignment of the rear. It's gotten to the point now that my rear tires are worn almost to the belt. Most of the outside tread is gone.

I'm getting new rear tires next week and telling Donway Ford the problem about the wear.

[svt170]

I'm having outer tire wear now after a realignment of the rear. It's gotten to the point now that my rear tires are worn almost to the belt. Most of the outside tread is gone.

I'm getting new rear tires next week and telling Donway Ford the problem about the wear.


Outside wear??? Hmmmm.
The way my rears were set-up, the wear should have been on the inside. The TSB also states the treadwear happens on the inside. Now, like I said before... The original specs from Ford were not very precise, as mine were way off, but still with-in factory spec. Your's could very well be with-in spec, but still need an update to keep from shortend tread life. I don't know how much + or - 2 degrees will effect treadlife, but it must make a difference for a TSB.
Tell us what Donway has to say. :iron: