Rep Power: 237

so here is the problem: my front tires are nearly bald on the inside shoulders and wearing really fast. I was thinking its an alignment problem, probably just the bad roads, hit one two many pot holes, i dunno something. I took it to the alignment shop earlier today to get it checked and fixed. The camber is out and the toe is off but just barely. I've only had the suspension on for about 5 months (tokico blues and springs ~1" drop). The guy at the alignment shop said it could be adjusted but wouldnt hold and would just keep eating my tires. He said I needed to install camber plates, or full coil-overs that could be adjusted from the top of the strut or it wouldnt do any good. So my question is, is the guy full of crap and I need to find a new alignment shop? If I change the camber bolts on the front will that hold an alignment and quit eating my tires? Or is the guy right and I need to work on getting some full coil-overs to fix the camber problems because I cant afford to be replacing tires every few months? thanks in advance for any help/comments

 
Rep Power: 328

I say do you already have a camber kit?

If so and with only a 1" drop, you should be fine.

I would take it to another shop and see what they say.

 
Rep Power: 243

^^^
what he said

 
Rep Power: 0

I think the guy is full of crap too. You don't need a camber kit for a 1" drop,
That said, even with a small drop you should expect the inside of your tires to
wear quicker.
What kind of tires do you have currently? If they are a cheaper tires they will wear quickly, too.

 
Rep Power: 266

camber bolts will do you good

 
Rep Power: 237

thanks a lot... i'll call the local tuner shop and see what they say, but it looks like i'll be searching for another alignment shop. I knew when I swapped the suspension to expect quicker tire wear, but I was hoping for a little longer than 5 months... :/ thanks again

 
Rep Power: 320

if you didn't get your car aligned after the install. That explains why your tires are being tore up. Alignment should fix the problem.

just remember anytime you mess with the suspension it will throw off your alignment

 
Rep Power: 321

i'd say just get some a camber kit and get the lifetime alignment thing. thats what i did, and i take mine in all the time to get redone. last time i went was probably four months ago... time to go again

 
Rep Power: 237

lol, you definitely could have found that one searching, but anyway, go for the camber bolts. They'll be fine for what you're doing and it'll get your alignment back in spec. Finding a shop that's comfortable with doing work on a lowered car also helps greatly.

 
Rep Power: 237

i tried searching i really i've been reading a lot on forums for quite a while to try and not act like a noob/idiot. I've seen over and over again the "yes you need a camber kit, yes you need an alignment" drill so thats what I did. I got it aligned right after I put the suspension on, then again about 3 weeks later, while it was still garaunteed by the shop. Sadly no shop in town will do lifetime alignment with anything modified. I didnt have the camber kit installed in the front because the shop got it back in spec without it. So thanks for again all the help... but the real question is why isnt it staying in alignment? I took it all apart this morning and checked to make sure all the bolts were torqued down and everything was good... so I'm stumped. Is it just the roads and I need to suck it up and get it aligned every 3-4 months?

 
Rep Power: 328

If done correctly, and you do not hit pot holes and such, once a year should suffice. This depends on the quality of the shop, and how you drive. I will again recommend getting a camber kit. It is true that you can get the alignment "into spec" with out a kit but you are at the limits of the OEM components. If you get a kit then you will have more adjust-ability and they will not be as stressed as the OEM. The kit is much more likely to stay adjusted due to it not being at its limits. In the long run the kit will save you money and headache. Lastly, as stated, the quality of tires you run will also come into play. For example: If you purchase Walmart econo tires they will not last a year. If you purchase good Michelin's they will last a good while but will wear funny on a lowered car. If you get tires designed for a lowered car, like the Nitto Neo Gens, they should wear evenly.

 
Rep Power: 811

i needed a camber kit for a 1 inch drop

 
Rep Power: 380

99% sure thats the problem.

Toe settings that are out side of OEM spec will eat tires 10X faster then any amount of camber.


So, make sure your suspension bushings are good and have them adjust the toe to be with in OEM spec.

 
Rep Power: 237

Ok I still have a problem, and now it seems to be even bigger. I installed the front camber kit, found an honest shop with people that have a clue, and tried to get an alignment. I stood there and watched the guy do the alignment and it will not go back to zero's. I've tried the camber bolts in both the top and bottom slots in the struts, the bottom gets closest but its still out. So long story short, there isnt enough adjustment to fix the alignment. I really dont want to go back to factory height but I will if I have to. Any advice is welcome at this point. I need to get this fixed, fast before classes start and I have zero time again.

 
Rep Power: 291

Thats weird, I've been lowered 2.0" with Tokico Struts and whenever I get an alignment, they can get the Toe dead on zero if not very close. This is without any camberbolts or plates.

Now I am on Full Coilovers with adjustable camberplates and after getting an alignment, everything is fine.. I drive my car everyday and sometimes long distances for car shows and have had no problem with unusual tire wear.

Check your control arms and make sure they are not bent and also that all your suspension components (Tie Rods, Ball Joints) are in good condition.

 
Rep Power: 303

Who did the strut install? Could they have possibly bent the tie rod? Just a suggestion.

 
Rep Power: 249

i didn't read through the whole post so this might have already been said, but if your TOE is off even just a little bit, it will wear tires very, very fast. i'm on a 1" drop with the pro-kit and have no camber bolts in the front and had no issues with alignment. i can almost assure you it's your toe thats creating problems.