I have run into a bit of a problem. I will give you some history and findings before I get into it.

1. The car supposedly pulled to the right when the previous owner tapped the brakes. He had the front calipers replaced and that supposedly fixed the problem.

2. Another clue is the passenger tire shows evidence that it suffered from positive camber. The outside of the tire is worn way more than the inside.

3. The arm assembly on the passenger side is rusted and seems to have suffered some scrape damage. The driver’s side is still covered with paint and is scrape free. The car also seems to dip more when I hit potholes on the passenger side than the driver.


Here is my problem. I have included some links showing some damage. The inside of my front passenger tire is rubbing up against my coil over. It melted some of the sidewall away. I thought it was rubbing against the top of my fender wall. My mechanic also says the tire seems to be off center.

Melted Tire
Close-up of melted tire
Scored TC rod
Scored TC rod mount
Another worn tire shot
Passenger side frame rail damage
Positive camber wear close-up
Full positive camber shot

I am in need of an alignment and I am gearing up to get one. I am also shopping for tires to fit the current 15” rims. I plan to have the wheels balanced when the new tires go on.

I have some questions.

Is anyone else running into this problem with their coil overs?

Do you think an alignment will cure this or do I need to replace suspension parts?

If I do need to replace parts what would you suggest?

 

pictures dont work

 

I tried them. Seems geocities bagged me. I am setting up my website now so I can host the pics.

Do you have any advice just on what I have described?

 

Please look at the pics on my personal site:

StanBo's Webpage

 

Hmmmmmmmmm

Well When U have the Car about half an inch from the floor these things do happen.

But seriously I ran into some problems also and the tension rod bushing when it goes bad makes the arms bend more. I replaced these with the whiteline bushings and that helped.

Also, when you slammed the car, an alignment is recommended because it will make the pull on the car 10X more prevelant as before. I would also purchase the camber adjustment bolt. It only corrects it like a degree or so, but that degree helps save the tires.

But the only thing thats really bugging me about this situation is that the tire is actually rubbing the coilover, which should definitely not happen, especially with the factory rims, no matter how lower it is. I would definitely get the alignment and then see from there.

That's it, that's all I have for now. Probably not helpful but I try.

 

Just a quick tip.

Also I installed new tie rods before the alignment, because they move them to get them straight, so I would recommend doing that before the alignment.

 

The tow being off is what is causing the outside of the front tires to wear more. If you are going to replace other suspension stuff like the tie rods, I would definately do that before the allighnment like Import Fanatix said.

The side wall of the tires rubbing the coilovers is a HUGE problem because you risk blowing the tires out and that could prove o be deadly. I would get that taken care of asap. You may find wheel spacers to be a quick fix but I would only do that until you can fix the real problem.

The callipers being rusted is not a big issue. Callipers rust up here almost the second you drive the car in the snow. I will replace mine shortly after I get my wheels on so I don't have to look at ugly callipers.

Your going to scrape your undercarrage some but in that one pic I see yellow paint where you scraped. Slow down when you hit speed bumps.


In short your main concern is to stop making the insides of your tires rub. After you fix all the suspension stuff it will probably cure that problem. Then get your wheels alligned and new tires.

 

For the record I am .75" off the ground! J/K

I am going to put in a call to PDM to get some of their pre-pressed TC arms.

Then I will get the alignment done.

Luckly enough the car is only driven on the weekends, so I am cutting down my chances of getting hurt.

Just think if the mechanic's had never fragged my clutch I wouldn't know I had these problems.

 

Stan also get the tie rods and change them. They do help a lot from wheel shimmy. And do it before the alignment. Just trust me on that one. The 240 one go bad reallll fast.

 

Not to insult, but i really don't think the tow has anything to do with the uneven tire wear. I think it's the camber for sure.

 

I couldn't see the pictures, but if the car is really slammed as was said, it is very unlikely that wear on the outer edge of the tire is from positive camber.

It's almost definitely the toe adjustment that is causing the wear.

-Justin
www.saltgod.org

 

The wear was there before the slamming

 

Well it's good to see you've got your priorities straight.

Anyway - wear on your outside tread is almost always dues to improper toe adjustment. Have an alignment done and for crying out loud get new tires!

-Justin
http://www.saltgod.org

 

Wanna talk priorities? The car is being put on hold for a house.

What would you do with some OT cash?

Auto Lift or Sr20?

 

You don't want to ask me that question... I have the worst spending habits in the western hemisphere. The average crackhead has better control of his finances than I do.

-Justin
http://www.saltgod.com