7rrivera7

iTrader: (1)

It's time for new tires for my '89 Civic HB. Im currently running Kumho Ecstas SPTs in 205-50-15 and just bought a set of Yoko S Drives. I've noticed inner tire wear on the fronts and after swapping them with the rears about a year ago, they are also wearing.

I confess I did not get an alignment after installing the Kumhos but will when I install the Yokos. My question is if this issue can be resolved with an alignment or do I need a camber kit?

I've read in this forum that camber kits are unnecessary and so I want to post the question to those in the know.

My car is running a Skunk2 coilovers and although a but harsh, I like the stability. I also have a set of Suspension Tecniques front and rear sway bars and a brand name traction bar. The car is lowered slightly but, in my humble opinion, not enough to cause the inner tire wear.

Thanks for your help!

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

This is your problem. Not smart to not get that done.

98civdx

You are supposed to get the car aligned when you get new tires...

honda_racing101

toe killed your tires..

7rrivera7

iTrader: (1)

People - I know I need an alignment and as stated, I will get one when I install the new tires!

The only useful response was from Honda Racing 101: "Toe killed your tires".

Since toe is horizontal alignment, front to back, between the front tires, how would this cause inner tire wear? I am leaning more towards camber which is vertical alignment and only adjustable using a camber kit on my chassis.

Someone with suspension theory knowledge please enlighten me ;-)

Libertariat

It's a little hard to explain. But camber aids toe in wearing the inside prematurely, not the other way around. Put your hand flat on a table. Lean it in a little bit, then degree it in a little bit and run your hand forward.

Doesn't the inside of your hand hurt more then if you just ran your hand flat at an angle as opposed to at an angle AND turned in?

When your toe is out of alignment, your tires are not running parallel to the motion of your car. This is what drives the premature wear. When you just have camber, and correct tow, the tires are at least going the same direction the car is.

This is precisely why toe is worse, and more rapid than camber at prematurely wearing tires.

7rrivera7

iTrader: (1)

^^^^

...this is the type of response I was looking for - logical, based on theory and physics. Thank you Libertariat!

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

Here's a good diagram that explains uneven tire wear if you're interested:

http://www.procarcare.com/includes/c...dtirewear.html

jaspergr

In older cars, worn upper control arms sometimes causes excessive negative camber (or positive). You have to remove the tire and get up inside and look at the ball joint to see if there's play or visible wear. If so, replace the upper control arm/ball joint combination--a relatively easy fix if you can separate the ball joint. An aftermarket arm can cost anywhere between $35 and $65. The labor to replace both at a shop is a .9, or less than an hour.

90_EX_Civic

bumping an old thread that looks like the problem was solved in the third response......