Hello All,

I have a 1999 XC which I purchased used in 1999 from a private owner with 12,000 miles on it. Since about 45,000 miles, it seems I can never get the alignment right on this car. I've brought it to different alignment shops but the same problem persists. There is excessive wear on both outer shoulders (left/right side) of the two front tires. Otherwise the tread on the face of the two front tires is wearing evenly. Just the left and right edge of the tires are wearing away prematurely.

The car tracts perfectly down the highway. It doesn't drift when you take your hands off the wheel (for seconds only!). It goes straight as an arrow. If you hit the brakes, the car stops straight and doesn't pull to one side or the other. The car presently has 92,000 miles on it. The rear tires wear perfectly. At the shops I've brought the car, I've always had a 4 wheel alignment done.

In contrast, I have two 1996 850 wagons. I never have problems with the alignment on those cars. When they require to be realigned, the alignment and subsequent tire wear is dead on. It seems to me, that the alignment set up on the XC seems faulty by design.

I'd like to know if other people have chronic alignment problems with their 1999 XCs. Thanks to all who reply.

Hugh

P.S. Initially, I gave this car as a gift to my father-in-law, so the problem with the alignment may have surfaced sooner than the 45,000 mile mark, but I seem to recall taking note of it at that time. I know the problem definitely existed by the time the car hit 60,000 miles.

P.P.S. The car has never been involved in a collision.