wrd1972

iTrader: (12)

OK every car I have owned (GT's and Z28's) as well as one truck seems to be plagued with front wear on the outer edge. FTR, I really dont drive hard in curves or very aggressive for that matter. Also I keep the tires aired up properly.

So speaking to my 95 Z28 with 285/40/17 tires, why does this happen? The wear is light but noticeable and I would like to address it. Can I reduce camber by a degree or two? Is this just rather normal? Help???

Thanks.

Homeless2bNY

iTrader: (2)

go to a good alignment shop.

have them do it to factory specs and give you a before and after print.

have them check for any play before hand and go from there

z28bryan

iTrader: (7)

Factory alignment specs suck for tire wear. Mine would do the same thing. If you get about a -.5 degree camber, then that will help a lot. Also go for an even toe

SparkyJJO

iTrader: (11)

Yeah usually outside edge wear indicates the camber is too positive. Have you had all your vehicles aligned at the same shop? Do they give you a printout of at least the post alignment numbers?

Jorgens

Interesting. I'm tagging along. I have the same problem with the fronts. Driver side more than pass, but bother outer tires are bald and inner has 1/2 life left....

99Bluz28

iTrader: (35)

Most likely your car has to much Toe-in .

leadfoot4

iTrader: (1)

I agree, although too much camber can have the same effect. Getting tires to wear evenly, is a fine balance between both toe and camber settings.

FASTFATBOY

iTrader: (23)

If it happened in three different vehicles with the same driver it sounds like driving style vs tire pressure vs lack of rotation.

wssix99

iTrader: (5)

This tendency is normal given factory alignment specs. As long as you are properly rotating the tires, your tire wear should be close to even.

z28bryan

iTrader: (7)

All I can say is ever since I've gone away from the factory alignment, I've never worn my tires on the outer edge again.

Homeless2bNY

iTrader: (2)

have a shop check it first!

all anything else will be is guess work and opinion and
other ppls experience.

a pair of tires isn't worth all this bullshit, go to a shop.
any place even a dealer it between 60-90bucks.

if everything looks good and specs are just out,
tell them to toe it out .05 degrees. NOT half a degree.
just .05 OUT more than spec.

and i recommend a Firestone, just because the offer
a plan for a little bit more and will redo the alignment for free
for 1-3 years, depending on the plan u buy.

it can only be alignment, worn suspension parts, or driving style.

z28bryan

iTrader: (7)

Why toe out and not 0 (even)? Wouldn't toe out make the car a bit more "darty" (not sure if that makes sense), and cause the tire to wear more compared to if it was 0?

Bowtie316

iTrader: (1)

I don't take any of my vehicles to alignment shops anymore, too many bad experiences (wasted tire rubber). I bought myself a caster/camber guage and check those first, if those check out within factory specs I set the toe in 1/16' to 1/8" then I drive it for a few weeks and monitor tire wear. If it's wearing the outside, fudge the toe out a little bit or vice-versa. After a few months of checking and adjusting, I can get them where they wear even.

Homeless2bNY

iTrader: (2)

NO, toe out doesn't feel "darty" when done minimum

gives better turn in

more stable at speed

easier steering feel and input.

help with outer edge wear.

and if goes to place i recommend, he can always have it changed.

99Bluz28

iTrader: (35)

I've ran up to -1.8 camber before the tires started showing any abnormal wear, but it doesn't take long for to much negative or positive toe to trash a new tire/s within a few wks or several hundred miles. The camber is only a minor contributor to uneven wear when it's excessive, but the Toe when excessive is different because you're basically dragging the tires slightly sideways the whole time.

z28bryan

iTrader: (7)

So would an even toe or a toe slightly outward according to homeless cause less tire wear? I would think that an even toe would cause the least amount of tire wear.

99Bluz28

iTrader: (35)

IMO, you'll want a little Toe-in since the tires will Toe-out a little when you're driving the car. I've got 1/32 total Toe-in on my alignment with about -.5 camber and the tires wear even.

FYI, to much toe-in will wear the outside faster, and to much toe-out will wear the outside faster.

ChrisRZ28

Agreed. I replaced my LCAs with UMI LCAs and took it to a local shop. Hated the way it felt afterwards. No way I was going to go back and let those clowns touch it again. Searched Frrax and Corner-Carvers for alignment tech, bought the tools and did my own alignment. 4.5 caster, 1.4 camber and 0 toe. Car tracks straight and doesn't tramline over ruts or uneven pavement. More caster makes for better high speed stability. Toe out my give you better turn in, but it makes the car darty, especially under braking. OP, don't know if you want to tackle an alignment yourself, but it will give you satisfaction that you don't have to rely on someone else to get something fixed. Dealerships and tire shops don't give a **** about your car...just your money. Get it in the green and out the door you go!

ChrisRZ28

When I first lowered my car several years ago, (I was new to fbodies), I didn't get it aligned right away. We all know when you lower a Camaro, the tires well go toe-out and increase the camber. I killed a set of front tires in no time. If you do alot of commuting on straight highways and want your tires to last, 0 toe or slight toe-in and less camber (1.0 or less) will help. If you like to drive 'aggressive', more camber will be your friend. Caster won't make a difference in tire wear so get as much as you can. FWIW, my car 'turns in' just fine with 0 toe.

Blackpanther99

iTrader: (8)

I used to have the same issues, I took it to NTB here in town for a alignment and my tires NEVER wore out again.