Wider Front Tires - Alignment???
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 239
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From: Colorado Springs CO
Wider Front Tires - Alignment???
I just changed a pair of 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sports on the front. They both work about 20-25% faster on the outside edge. Sounds like the camber or toe-in was off, but the alignment said they were good.
With the wider front tires, should I think about reducing the toe-in and/or camber to stop the excessive wear on the outside edges?
Thank for the advise...
Lonnie
With the wider front tires, should I think about reducing the toe-in and/or camber to stop the excessive wear on the outside edges?
Thank for the advise...
Lonnie
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
I saw this posted in the FI forum, but here's my answer. Yes, you should find an alignment specialty shop (not a dealership or a chain store) and let them know what kind of tire wear you're trying to control.
Just because your alignment is "within spec's" doesn't mean it's going to work for your car/tire/driver combination. You apparently need a "custom alignment". If you've found the right shop, armed with the information about previous tire wear and the readings from an alignment inspection, they should have no trouble improving your tire wear situation.
Monitor the actual tread wear with a tread depth gauge 2k miles after the alignment (assuming you aligned with new tires) to spot the need for further adjustment.
We've been doing it this way for over 18 years at my shop in SoCal.
It really works!
Just because your alignment is "within spec's" doesn't mean it's going to work for your car/tire/driver combination. You apparently need a "custom alignment". If you've found the right shop, armed with the information about previous tire wear and the readings from an alignment inspection, they should have no trouble improving your tire wear situation.
Monitor the actual tread wear with a tread depth gauge 2k miles after the alignment (assuming you aligned with new tires) to spot the need for further adjustment.
We've been doing it this way for over 18 years at my shop in SoCal.
It really works!
