Forum:
It has recently come to my attention of a known fault relating to Sirion wheel alignment and I wanted to share - it was news to me so I thought it may be news to others.
My 2008 1.5SX has always had a persistent preference cornering better to the left than to the right. The steering feels "loaded up" going through right hand bends and the car feels awkward. I have had the car to a wheel alignment centre on two occasions - the last one ATS Euromaster didn't even have data for this model so it didn't get done, but that is another story. They did however spot some unusual wear on the rear left tyre.
I am particularly fussy about my tyres and I check them well and frequently and I had not noticed the wear myself, but in my defence it was quite minor and I don't have a ramp hoist to levitate the car. I was at a loss to explain this wear though and the front tyres are perfectly fine.
I was puzzled but not worried because there is no adjustment anyway. I was annoyed though at not being able to have a wheel alignment done due data unavailability so I made it my mission to ask (by email) the dealership I bought the car from to provide data for wheel alignment to overcome franchise aligners not having the data, and it was at this point I was made aware of a known alignment fault, which amazingly gives a wear pattern to the rear tyres. Hmmm?
Now this is the interesting bit, the wear pattern to the rear tyres has nothing to do with the front wheel alignment and everything to do with the rear wheel alignment, which has no adjustment as I said earlier. So how can there be a problem?
I don't know the full details yet but it is related to the rear axle and the fix is to replace the original “straight” axle with a new “curved” one. I have been advised that it may be done under an extended warranty due to it being a fault but it appears that each case is judged on it's own merits and that relates to the severity of tyre wear.
The first stage is to have the alignment measured and if the rear wheel alignment exceeds 3 degrees toe in the job needs doing. So I am currently sorting out a date to take the car for a check at a dealership (I live a long way from one) and I will take the matter from there on the basis of what turns up.
I hope and pray it does not cost me heaps of course but if it does I will have it done anyway because the car feels so odd on the road and I don't want my tyres scrubbing away for no good reason (a good reason is going fast or braking hard – awesome).
So there we have it guys and gals, if you have a Sirion with odd handling and unusual rear tyre wear get it checked. Hope this helps, and as the story unfolds I will add to the topic.
Take it easy out there.
Phil
Follow up to rear wheel alignment problem
Hi,
I have been to a Daihatsu dealer and kicked this problem around the workshop with them and they were very helpful, and a resolution has been reached. In short I am going to have a new rear axle and new rear dampers installed at no cost to me. How good is that?
The problem appears to stem from what must be an incorrectly manufactured batch of axles being installed and subsequently it only affects certain chassis numbers (mine is one). The axle has been made a few milimetres too short, which throws out the alignment due to the axle having to fit a set chassis location and in so doing it then becomes misaligned - it is installed loaded and tensed up which then points the rear wheels in the wrong direction.
The rear wheel toe-in for this model should be less than 3 degrees and mine was 4 degrees. It was the left hand alignment that was incorrect and it was that side that had the classic tyre wear for misalignment.
The rear dampers are replaced also due to the location on the new axle being different from the original axle and the old dampers don't fit. So not only do I get a new axle but I get new dampers - awesome.
The car has never felt "right" on the road and it has never gone in a straight line. It just felt awkward and wouldn't settle down and now I know why. I have chosen to have the front damper struts replaced at the same time at my cost and with them done I am looking forward to having my Sirion up on its toes and nimble on its feet - nice.
So the moral here is if you have unusual wear on rear tyres you need to go see your Daihatsu dealer.
I will make another post when all the work has been done.
Phil
Strange error!
"The axle has been made a few milimetres too short"
That is a strange manufacturing mistake indeed!
Any knowledge of SN range affected?
Also, how does it drive after the repair?
I hope all good for you know.
Sirion 1.3 Automatic '03, Impreza 1.5 Automatic '08, DR650SE '02
Sirion Wheel Alignment
Just a quick update.
The work has not been done yet due to a wait for parts from Japan. The parts for the rear axle fix are ready but it is the parts for the additional requested work (front damper struts replace) that is the hold up (it is all being done at the same time).
I am pencilled in for November 7th and as soon as it is all done I will wrap up this post with how it all turned out.
Nobody is keener than me to find out how it "feels" after the repair. The car is a proper little pocket-rocket and having a slightly odd feel about the handling has spoiled the experience so I am hoping for good things. Fingers crossed.
Sirion Wheel Alignment
...........PS.
I don't know the vehicle serial numbers affected. All I will say is that if yours is affected you will know by the rear tyre wear.
I am a very happy guy right
I am a very happy guy right now because the repair work has been completed. It wasn't due to be done until November but all the parts came together in a rush and work proceeded.
So what do I think so far about the any handling improvement? Well, the drive home from the dealership in Pwllheli is a vigorous 70 minutes of twists and climbs and A55 dual carriageway and the effect on how the car handled was frankly quite astonishing.
I had not realised just how nasty the handling had become with the old mis-aligned axle constantly feeding in some rear wheel steering effect. The car now corners like it is on rails and goes exactly where I point the steering wheel. Confidence is now very high when entering a bend at speed with no twitching the steering wheel to maintain a good line.
I was incorrect in my original post about the type of axle being swapped, I said the straight axle was being replaced with a curved one (must have mis-heard the service manager), but what has been done is the original curved axle has been replaced with a straight one (it looks completely different) and a pair of new dampers installed. I have had two new tyres fitted as well because the old ones had scrubbed off one side and were border-line legal and winter is coming too.
Finally I have to praise Pulrose Motors of Pwlhelli for the job. They kept me informed with progress of parts and did the job in a timely manner and they even loaned me a car for a couple of days. I have had a chance to have a peek under the car too and they have sealed all the new parts and any old running gear in a protective paint coating. They have done a very tidy and clean job.
Well done Daihatsu, and with service like this on a car outside of warranty I am sorry to see you leaving the UK.