Rear suspension needs attention, wheels tilting out

[NightRider97]

This is my first car with this style of rear suspension so I honestly dont know where to look to solve this problem. When I noticed it was when I rotated the tires, the rear ones were wearing the complete inside tread row off in a jumpy patter (not smooth wear off). In a rear wheel drive vehicle looking at the front suspension I'd say its got bad ball joints and needs camber realigned. But this is a completely different boat, and I dont know where to start.
when I look at the car from a distance at the back, the top of the tires are most definitely closer together than the bottom of the tires, explaining why the inside tread row is wearing the way it is.
Whats wrong with it?

 

[ZmanIV]

If you lowered it you need to realign the toe for the rear wheels.
Also a rear camber kit will keep the wheels better aligned.
You can run with some camber but the toe is what will kill the tires

 

[NightRider97]

hey there, thanks for the quick response. I've done nothing to the suspension on this thing, its completely stock with 140k on it now, so Im guessing something is worn out. I have expensive tires on it so I need to figure out whats eating them before it gets into the new ones.

here's a crude illustration of what the rear tires look like. /****\

So you're all thinking its a camber kit that I need? Where can I get a good quality kit, and what is a good quality kit for this vehicle. I use MOOG suspension stuff on my diesel trucks.

 

[68442]

Worn suspension will cause cupping and angled wear. How old are the rear struts?

 

[NightRider97]

Struts is what I was wondering, but I dont know how exactly they affect this problem.
I suppose they are 11 years old come Jan 1.
How much is this going to set me back.

 

[NightRider97]

Need some more input.

 

[68442]

You just need new suspension. Check this link out.

Google Image Result for http://www.procarcare.com/images/shar/encyclopedia/8852oc5.gif

 

[emoguitarboy]

Well if the car has lowering springs with stock shocks the shocks are proably going out or have gone out. You may want to look into a coilover setup (Springs & shocks)... I have a -3 camber on the wheels and I only saw inner tire wear because I was towed out 3/4"... You could get the setup (height, camber, etc) then get them alighned... If you're into DIY then you could either buy or make an alighnment kit.

2 flat metal sheets (preferably thick... cut out a notche on both sides of the sheet (about 1.5" from the bottom of the sheet) then get 2 measuring tapes. place them flat aginst your wheel. Then place the measuring tapes on the slotsand it will tell you how bad they're out of alighnment.

 

[mitch26753]

a camber kit will fix it and there pretty cheap to purchase also you will need a four wheel alignment

 

[ZmanIV]

Rear camber kit is nothing more than longer bolts, a stack of 4 washers and some lockwashers placed in between the upper control arm.

All hardware must be grade 8 or better.

Go here for instructions on the installation.
http://www.vfaq.com/index-main.html

 

[NightRider97]

So basically what my problem is, is probably the rear springs are getting weak, so now that has thrown the camber adjustment out of spec. Causing me to have similar problems as people who put lowering springs on their cars.

 

[asexton6969]

Highly doubtful your springs are sagging that much. If they are stock springs it sounds like your tires are toed out. The choppiness is due to weak struts. When your driving down the road, the struts cant keep the tires on the ground so basically your tires are smacking the ground when the car comes back down. Causing that choppiness. You need new struts, might as well replace the mounts as well. Another thing you can decide to do is lower the car if you would like. Be ready to fix any camber issues.

Now my car is lowered using pro kits and kyb agx struts. I am an auto technician so I have set my rear toe, haven't had the money to fix the camber just yet, even though I do have a camber kit in there. Just need more adjustment. My first set of tires, Kumho 711's I wore out in a matter of 2-3 months due to the camber. Those tires however are a very soft compound. I have had Continental Extreme Contacts from Tirerack for about 1 year 6-9 months. Havent rotated them or anything (going against my own advice, I always take care of my tires, I just told myself I was gonna fix the camber and never did so I left them, so I would only have to replace the rear and luckily they have held up. I love these tires and would suggest them to everyone.)

My suggestion as an automotive technician would be to get new struts, mounts, (lowering springs if wanted but after you install them have a shop check your alignment and give you a printout so you can buy a proper kit for the amount of adjustment you need) then have the car aligned after installing the adjusters.) Then have fun.

 

[ZmanIV]

Camber won't kill tires it is the toe that kills them.

 

[asexton6969]

Ok...Camber wont KILL your tires. It does wear them, just not as fast as toe. Trust me I know, I work around tires all day, installing them, warrantying them. I know that camber can wear tires. but like you said it doesnt "kill" them.