View Single Post
Old 06-03-2009, 12:58 PM   #3
HCUBED
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 50
Drives: W209 2003 CLK55 Coupe
Wheel alignment

Here's a short primer on suspension adjustments:

If you are wearing out the outside edges of your front tires, you have too much "posative" camber.
Conversly, when the inside edge wears out you have too much "negative" camber.

When you view the tires from the front or rear of the vehicle, the tilt inward or outward relative to the road surface is called "CAMBER".
It is expressed in degrees "posative" or "negative".
Leaning OUT at the top is "posative" camber, leaning IN at the top is "negative" camber.

Incorrect wheel camber will result in premature tire wear and excessive wear on the suspension parts.


Over inflation wears out the centers, under inflation wears out both outer edges simultaniously.
TOE, is a measure of how much the wheels are aimed in or out from a straight forward position. This is done to make sure the tires roll parallel.
When the wheels are turned in, toe is "posative". When the wheels are turned out, the toe is "negative". Some people misspell it "TOW", but it is "TOE".Toe adjustment also serves to counter small deflections in the suspension system that occur when in motion.
Incorrect toe adjustment will result in premature tire wear and improper steering stability.

I suggest that you take the car to an alignment shop and get a four wheel alignment accomplished.

If you don't, why would you think that your new tires would not wear out on the inside edges just like the last set did? They will, so dont blame the tires. It is caused by incorrect alignment, and you will be replacing these new hides shortly.

This is very basic stuff, and can be accomplished by a competent shop in less about an hour.

Tire inflation pressures shoud be set at the manufacturers specifications as well.
Obviously, the tires should wear out evenly across the tread surface.
They cannot, unless the suspension and pressures are adjusted to factory specs.
HCUBED is offline   Reply With Quote