Outside edges of tires are wearing, toe is good.

[clydesdale]

The car is an 87 with 260k. I do the toe alignments myself with toe plates, but have also had it done at a shop. The toe is good. But the caster/camber, last I checked, was not quite right. But the car has no adjustment for that. Would camber plates be a good upgrade? Thanks.

[gtdragon980]

If both edges are wearing and the middle is staying mostly normal, then they're under inflated.

[3bvert]

camber plates worth it ???

also in your oriingal post you did not say if yoru at stock ride height or not

[blackflag]

If only the outside edges are wearing fast check if your running positive camber, if you meant outside and inside of each tire then as previously stated its under inflated. Positive camber looks like \ / looking from directly in front or behind the car. Good hunting.

[clydesdale]

Just the outside edges of each tire, not the inside. I am at stock ride height. I was curious what could cause this if toe is good, new control arms and bushing, new bilsteins and new tie rods ends. The car drives great and these tires are toast anyway, but the outsides wore quicker. I remember having the alignment done on a computer a few years ago and the camber was out of spec, but there is no way to adjust. Any thoughts? Thanks.

[Wh33lhop]

Positive camber. Did you install M3/offset control arm bushings? That'll do it (my front camber is positive right now).

[clydesdale]

Yes, I did install m3 CABs. Hmmm... was that a bad idea? Maybe I need to pick a tire that is not directional specific and can be rotated to the other side of the car.

[Wh33lhop]

Yes, I did install m3 CABs. Hmmm... was that a bad idea? Maybe I need to pick a tire that is not directional specific and can be rotated to the other side of the car.

Well, you just need some more camber. You can either pick up some fixed camber plates for like $100ish (that will raise your front end), pick up some "real" adjustable camber plates that will also lower you a bit for $2-300, or you can pick up some lowering springs to increase negative camber. Or you can go the nondirectional tires route I suppose, but I'd try and get some negative camber in your life as the car handles a whole lot better with some.

Personally I'm planning on picking up some GC camber/caster plates and coilovers, so I'll be running -2 degrees of camber soon enough that I don't have to worry about the outside of my tires as much.

[clydesdale]

The real camber plates is what I was interested in. But, I thought the amount of camber that the m3 bushings added was a good thing. I never really heard about it being a tire wear issue. I thought this was a simple upgrade and did not require an additional mod to make things right. If I go with the plates, what is required with the install? Thanks.

[Wh33lhop]

M3 bushings don't add negative camber, they add positive caster, which is generally a good thing, yes. But in doing so they add positive camber too, which isn't a very good thing. However 99% of people who use M3 bushings are already lowered, sometimes already with camber plates, which means they've got plenty of negative camber already, so they don't notice the comparatively small amount of positive camber the M3 bushings yield. Get it? :p

The M3 itself also has shorter springs and offset strut mounts which both compensate for the control arm bushings by adding negative camber. But if I were you, I'd just get some good camber/caster plates and be done with it. You'll probably notice that the car feels more direct and responsive, as well as rides a little more harshly as when you get aftermarket camber plates you're typically getting rid of the rubber strut mount bushings and replacing them with a metal spherical bearing.

[ikkitousen]

I'd just get some good camber/caster plates and be done with it. You'll probably notice that the car feels more direct and responsive, as well as rides a little more harshly as when you get aftermarket camber plates you're typically getting rid of the rubber strut mount bushings and replacing them with a metal spherical bearing.

+1

OR just put a heavier engine in it! More weight up front, lower to the ground, Less positive camber WOOT!

TEE HEE!

------------------------------------------------------------
DAMN LS1 SWAPS!!!

[clydesdale]

Ahhhh, a swap is in the cards, but not yet. I only have 260k on this motor and I plan on running it for a couple of more years and about 300k. What is required of the install for the camber plates? How much lower and will it look stupid with the rear at stock height? Thanks.

[george graves]

+1

OR just put a heavier engine in it! More weight up front, lower to the ground, Less positive camber WOOT!

You are on crack. My M30 swap only lowered my car on stock springs 1/16 of an inch.

[Wh33lhop]

Ahhhh, a swap is in the cards, but not yet. I only have 260k on this motor and I plan on running it for a couple of more years and about 300k. What is required of the install for the camber plates? How much lower and will it look stupid with the rear at stock height? Thanks.

Not much lower, maybe 1/2" to an inch tops. It shouldn't look stupid, no. Are you planning on lowering your car in the future?

You are on crack. My M30 swap only lowered my car on stock springs 1/16 of an inch.

Yeah my M50 swap didn't give any real difference in ride height. In fact the front is still higher than the rear, although that's possibly due to all the tools and crap I've got in the trunk.

[clydesdale]

Yeah, eventually I will lower it just a touch. I have not looked into it yet. I put bilstein HD on it, but kept the springs stock. I have an IS model and will likely go for a very mild drop. I want the car to be very streetable. I cannot worry about every imperfection in the road.