Hello,

I was experiencing very bad wear on the inner edge of my front tires when I used to have 10 spoke directionals. The car was COMPLETELY STOCK at this point. Now I have 18s with 255/45R18s and they are doing the same thing (and at $260/tire, I don't want this!) Is this typical?

I have also put on coil over strut suspension on the front, the 1.5 inch lowered one JUST THIS WEEK. Does this change the alignment characteristics?

Should I have it aligned but try to "tweak" the camber so I don't keep going through expensive tires? Maybe I should have the camber pull the bottom in a few degrees?

The wear seems relatively severe.

Thanks for your help!

--mobrien

--mobrien
Denver/Philly/Saint Louis
'94 MarkVIII Garnet Red Glaze/Black (RIP-Click!)
'97 MarkVIII LSC Black/Black

An alignment sounds like what you need. If you lower the car or do suspension repairs, it's usually a good idea.

Calvin Louie
1989 Porsche 928 S4 - Linen Metallic / Linen

>An alignment sounds like what you need. If you lower the car
>or do suspension repairs, it's usually a good idea.
>
>Calvin Louie
>1989 Porsche 928 S4 - Linen Metallic / Linen

Sorry, I forgot to mention that I have had the alignment done multiple times and the tire wear has happened regardless. That is why I am concerned.

--mobrien118

--mobrien
Denver/Philly/Saint Louis
'94 MarkVIII Garnet Red Glaze/Black (RIP-Click!)
'97 MarkVIII LSC Black/Black

>Sorry, I forgot to mention that I have had the alignment done
>multiple times and the tire wear has happened regardless. That
>is why I am concerned.

One thing I have learned is that all alignment shops are not created equal. I have heard the story "We set the front end to the factory specs" and they want to wash their hands with the problem even though the car is still not right.

Ask around your area for references and find the best front end shop and take it there. Stay away from the chain store shops. For example we have a local independent shop that even the dealers take their cars to because sometimes the factory specs don't work and only "experience" does.

Jason Z
Pittsburgh PA

>Ask around your area for references and find the best front
>end shop and take it there. Stay away from the chain store
>shops. For example we have a local independent shop that even
>the dealers take their cars to because sometimes the factory
>specs don't work and only "experience" does.

Then maybe I'll drive to Pittsburgh!

Seriously though, thanks for the great advice. I will do that, but who are some good people to ask? Dealerships? Sadly, I don't have any auto enthusiast contacts in Philly yet.

Thanks!

--mobrien

--mobrien
Denver/Philly/Saint Louis
'94 MarkVIII Garnet Red Glaze/Black (RIP-Click!)
'97 MarkVIII LSC Black/Black

Adjust camber your self. Drive car straight on level road or driveway. Pull center cap off wheels, put level on wheels where cap fits. Front wheels should be almost straight up and down. Have adjusted two 93 mark VIII's using this method. Had a alignment afterwords and camber was in specs. On both cars I had to adjust camber to max on one side, with complete new suspension. Good luck.

What condition are your lower ball joints in? Worn joints can lead to wear on the inside edge of the tire.

Thomas

1997 Lincoln Mark VIII LSC
392rwhp 338rwtq 12.97 @ 112
Overland Park, Kansas

>What condition are your lower ball joints in? Worn joints
>can lead to wear on the inside edge of the tire.
>
>Thomas

I replaced both lower control arms (incl. ball joints) and bushings with MOOG parts within the past 2 years. I'm certain that the UPPERS are shot, however. Do you think that is what's causing it? I'm planning on doing the uppers ASAP.

--mobrien118

--mobrien
Denver/Philly/Saint Louis
'94 MarkVIII Garnet Red Glaze/Black (RIP-Click!)
'97 MarkVIII LSC Black/Black

It sure could be part of the problem. If the uppers are real bad, it will through the camber off. I'd replace them for sure.

Thomas

1997 Lincoln Mark VIII LSC
392rwhp 338rwtq 12.97 @ 112
Overland Park, Kansas