tires wearing inner edge

[importboost]

After searching about this I found a million threads bout peoples tires wearing but it was always a lowering issue. My cars suspension is stock. My tires have been on there since before I owned the car, which is over 2 yrs. But a few days ago I noticed that the inside edge of my front two tires were worn down smooth. Is this a common dsm thing? I know the Lexus my friend has wears through the inside of tires like nothin, but his alignment is fine. Its just how it is with Lexus I guess. I called Mitsu today about that mass balljoint recall and they said mine had been done in April of 04. So I really doubt they are out again, not saying it isnt possible. Is there a way to adjust camber on our cars? Im planning on bringing it to a shop to have the alignment checked. Gotta get a new tire on it first(one wore to the belts on the inside). Any help much appreciated.

 

[jtmcinder]

What is your current toe?

Have you lifted each front and yanked on it?

- Jtoby

 

[importboost]

I havent checked anything yet. Broke my jack not to long ago and havent replaced it yet. I thought toe didnt effect that part of the tire?

 

[blk 2gnt]

Toe was the first thing that came into my head.

 

[importboost]

Toe was the first thing that came into my head.

But isn't camber usually associated with inside tire wear?


http://www.ozebiz.com.au/racetech/theory/align.html

 

[blk 2gnt]

I can only tell you from my own experience. When I noticed the insides of my tires wearing I had my alignment done. My camber was not too far out of spec but my toe was out an unbelievable amount. If I can dig up my print-out, I'll post up what my numbers were.

*edit* I did a little investigating just to make sure that I was remembering my suspension stuff correctly. Check out this link:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=4

The section on toe starts about 3/4 of the way down the page

 

[Defiant]

Camber will affect where the tire's contact patch wears, but toe will erase the tread faster than a dyslexic's Eberhard-Faber.

 

[importboost]

Camber will affect where the tire's contact patch wears, but toe will erase the tread faster than a dyslexic's Eberhard-Faber.

Lol well put, would inner tire rods effect the toe or just the outer?

 

[jtmcinder]

Yes, as would bad bushings or ball-joints. That's why question #1 concerned toe and question #2 was whether anything is loose.

- Jtoby

 

[importboost]

I got ya, well last time I had it on the rack the inners were loose. Nothin else. But since I havent checked the toe yet I couldnt tell you what it is.

 

[jtmcinder]

Are the tires really worn down smooth or are they either scalloped or feathered? This is something you can check now and would provide relevant information.

- Jtoby

 

[importboost]

Yeah, I didnt know if that would help. They are smooooth smooooth, inner edge is GONE .

 

[jtmcinder]

Interesting. By eyeball, what do you think the camber is? What is your typical pressure?

- Jtoby

 

[importboost]

Camber looks fine, from the naked eye my tires are straight. Tire pressure is regularly checked and set at around 32.

 

[jtmcinder]

Ah. 32 is a tad low for a car that weighs around 900# per corner up front (unless you are drag racing). But that still doesn't explain it. Totally smooth inside edges are usually caused by camber plus some toe-out. Mere low pressure would wear the outer edge, too. Lots of toe-out would feather the inside edge. Loose suspension parts would cause scalloping.

I'm worthless.

- Jtoby

 

[importboost]

So your thinkin its my camber? What are my options if it is? I know we dont have adjustment bolts, but I've heard of shimming them to correct the problem. What can I do if it is a camber issue?


It doesnt feel like my ball joints are going bad when I drive it.

 

[Defiant]

I got ya, well last time I had it on the rack the inners were loose.

Alright, stop. Replace those and have it aligned, step one.