'88-924S

I've recently experienced a 'wandering,' mostly on poor(buckled) roads on my '88 924S. It doesn't seem to matter what speed I'm going, although it's more apparent at higher speeds. I checked archives and found that tie rod ends can be the culprit. However, tonight I went out and closely inspected my front tires and see that the inside edge is MUCH more worn than the outside. Can this cause such a pronounced wandering? I've replaced balljoints and wheels bearings in the past 10k, no play in the wheels when on jack stands. Please let me know what you think before I go and replace the tie rod ends.
BTW, my rears seem to be evenly worn, I was going to switch the fronts and the rears to see if that makes a difference, sound like a good idea?
Also, why are the inside of my tires wearing like that, had a 4 wheel alignment about 15k ago right after I got my tires and the car was on rails. I want that back!!
All responses are appreciated.

User 462021

Maybe the alignment shop didn't know what they were doing. If you don't have any play in the wheels then I don't think it would be the tie-rods.

Wearing on the inside usually means that the alignment isn't quite right.

fezz

i want to hear the answer to this too. i find a slight wander on uneven/bumpy pavement and the reverse wear condition - even wear up front and inside wear at the rear.

kwh29

Inside wear on the front is usually caused by too much toe out, unless for some reason the camber is way high. Did the wandering start immediately after the alignment? If so, I'd suspect a bad alignment. It doesn't take much toe out to make a car wander badly. It also doesn't take much to chew up tires.

Worn out tie rod ends, of course, are the main culprit if the alignment is OK.

--Kevin H.

'88-924S

Thanks for the responses.
Okay, let me ask this question a different way. Let's say alignment is good, tires are worn on inside and tie rod ends are bad, if I change the tie rod ends, will my car still wander due to the uneven wear on the tires? i.e. will the uneven tire wear cause wandering if all else is okay?
Another question--what does one adjust to align? the tie rod I assume, but what else? any explanations of what suspension parts are part of alignment. thanks, learning more and more from everyone.

User 462021

The car should get another alignment if you change the tie-rods. It IS possible that the car will wonder from the eneven tires. You should have the car aligned with good tires on it so it gets the correct angles.

'88-924S

well, I rotated the rear tires to the front, which had even wear and I can not detect the wandering now. So...I guess I need new tires(after 12k-14k) and an alignment. I suppose I'll change the tie rod ends since I've already received them from paragon, get new tires and then immediately get an alignment. Thanks for the responses, I wonder how many out there have wandering problems due to uneven tire wear and think it's suspension parts?
I'd still love to hear just exactly how an alignment is done though.

OriginalSterm

Give it some time, the wandering may come back as the tires start to wear like the others did.

'88-924S

I'm convinced the wandering will come back, so I'll do what I posted with new tires and tie rod ends and then alignment. Now a search on good tires in archives, I've got Dunlop Sport A2s. Seemed to be great all around tire especially in the wet which is absolutely necessary here in tropical New Orleans. But the tires sure did wear fast, I guess I just have to get used to replacing tires more often-the price of great handling huh?