98civdx

it's just an attempt to make money, that's all.

Camber does wear tires but it does it slowly. Toe is the true tire killer.
I've been running -2* all around for almost 2 years and my tires are still wearing perfectly.
The dude at firestone is surprised every time I come in. lol

PunchedGuava

I'm getting it done tomorrow morning. I'm not sure where my cambers at currently, but I'll post results tomorrow.

PunchedGuava

Here's the results..



Camber kit needed?

lostforawhile

This is why I love having a third generation accord, swap in 2nd gen lude upper arms with a few washers as spacers, and instant factory camber kit, plus the ball joint can be replaced without trashing the entire arm, they also make a kit for the back now where you can replace just the ball joint, instead of trashing everything

98civdx

You don't *need* it, but I would throw a few washers on the rear UCA's.


I had -3.5* in the rear before 2 thin washers on each bolt. Now it's about -2*

I was at -3.5* for a year and still got perfect tire wear.

PunchedGuava

Alright, I'll get at that when I get a chance. I bought the lifetime alignment thing so I can always go and have them check the toe/camber readings.

Brittanybraa

Love this.

O'Grotton

Great info, I found this in good timing as I'm about to lower my ef sedan

TPRD831

CAMBER IS NOT SUPPOSE TO BE A TIRE WEARING ANGLE, TOE IS. AND YES TIRE ROTATIONS ARE A BIG HELPER WITH TIRE WEAR. BUT WHEN RUNNING LOW PROFILE TIRES LIKE A 45 OR 50 SERIES, CAMBER DOES IN FACT PLAY A PART IN TIRE WEAR. I BEEN DOING ALIGNMENTS FOR ABOUT 7 YEARS AND I DISAGREE WITH THIS POST OTHER THAN KEEP ROTATING TIRES ATLEAST TWICE A YEAR AND CHECK YOUR ALIGNMENT EVERY 6MONTHS/6K MILES. SURE NEGATIVE CAMBER IS GOOD FOR THE TRACK. BUT IF IT WAS MEANT TO BE DAILY DRIVEN ITS A WHOLE DIFFERENT STORY.

sxysweed

You want to check the alignment every 6k miles and only rotate the tires twice a year?

Lol.

lostforawhile

three posts and are arguing with people who have been running this camber for a long time and know how it affects tire wear? AND IN ALL CAPS
this is like the idiot who was going to do my alignment and insisted my car had a "standard" McPherson strut suspension" , when it has a double wishbone

TPRD831

im sorry. I didnt realize the amount of posts was my credibility

lostforawhile

your post and the fact you post in all caps, and you seem to think you know more then all the other people, who have posted intelligent replies to this thread, that says a lot about your credibility

azzazel_9

My local firestone guy told me just 2 weeks ago when i had my lifetime alignment done that as long as i kept my tires rotated and toe in adjustment i wasn't gonna have to worry about. Besides i have had some neg camber for some time now and so far no uneven wear that i can tell.

Design

He's right to a point but it will only amount to a 1-2 mm difference over the course of the tire's lifespan. As I've been saying throughout this thread, a more aggressive camber angle can magnify a tire's sensitivity to very small toe misalignments. Low profile tires amplify the condition even more.

94eg!

iTrader: (2)

This would only be true if you drove in perfectly straight lines. The more aggressive you like to corner, the more negative camber WILL be necessary to maintain even tire wear. Aggressive cornering moves your tire wear toward the outer edges of the tires. The more you enjoy lateral G's and grippy tires, the more negative camber you need.

You have to remember our cars weren't originally marketed as sports cars. When you drive them like sports cars, some things need to be changed.

Design

Most enthusiasts prefer more neutral rear camber (relative to the front) for better rotation/driving feel. That's going to be true of any platform with front weight bias.

NolanEp3

I prefer -.5 in the rear on my Ep.

Justtyler

This is a great thread!

strategy400

It has nothing to do with them selling tires as their primary business...

strategy400

I put adjustable upper links in the rear. My tires are wearing perfectly now as opposed to before when they were wearing like ***. There is noticeable reduction in road noise, tire wear, improved gas mileage, my temp gauge runs about 1/8 inch lower than it did before and the car feels like it gained about 20 HP. My car doesn't grab the ruts in the road anymore. My tires were wearing on the inside edge with pretty severe cupping and noise that was driving me nuts. My steering wheel and the whole car shook when I hit 80 mph. Those problems are gone now. The noise and vibration are gone. It is awesome to see the tires are wearing evenly all the way across. Yes I did need a camber kit, but then I drive 170 miles per day and tire wear, mpg, handling and performance is critical for me. Well worth the ~$105. Can't wait to do the front.
I had a 4 wheel alignment before installing the camber kit and it didn't help.

94eg!

iTrader: (2)

The fact that they never calibrate their alignment machines sure does. Ask any tire shop that doesn't do alignments what they think of the tire shops that do. The only tire place I've had decent luck with alignments would be Sears. But even then they are not 100%. I've since taken to doing my own string alignments and I get all 4 of my vehicles arrow straight every time.

reddragon23

Having same issues with my mother's 08 civic.... which kit did you purchase?

voodooracer

Thanks so much to all that contributed solid info on this thread. Just finished (finally) reading it all and have learned a lot. Gave me what I needed, and basis for more intelligent searches about related subjects.
Thanks again for sharing true knowledge and personal experience.
Keith LeBlanc

nomis89

yes you do need a camber kit when lowering suspention too much negative camber will kill your tire the toe need to be off extreme to cause tire wear the worst one is camber i dont know where you got your info but camber is really important you must be owning a tire you and you want to sell tire

camber kit are mandatory when lowering suspention