View Full Version : Question for those of you who have dropped your cars
hyethug000
10-03-2009, 03:27 PM
When I got my alignment done one of the workers there said that since I have dropped it that the inner wall of the tires will wear faster than the outer wall...anyone can confirm this to be true?
Alkemix
10-03-2009, 03:29 PM
Did he adjust the camber on your car? I always thought the alignment was supposed to correct this, unless he gave you some negative camber to prevent rubbing because you were too low with a wide offset?
hyethug000
10-03-2009, 03:37 PM
I don't think he did that cuz i am runing stock 16" wheels and i don't have any issues with rubbing.
Did he adjust the camber on your car? I always thought the alignment was supposed to correct this, unless he gave you some negative camber to prevent rubbing because you were too low with a wide offset?
Front camber is not adjustable. So the short answer is YES your tires will now wear on the inside edges.
Stern makes a set of upper control arms that allow you to adjust camber. (http://www.purems.com/products/product.php/II=2681)
Vince
rAphb0y
10-03-2009, 04:38 PM
Inner of the tires will rub ALOT faster after you dropped if you don't get an alignment. Learned the hard way, tires were absolutely distroyed in a matter of 5-7 months. got a set of 18" b6 avus and got an alignment and it corrected the problem.
nramsey
10-03-2009, 04:50 PM
It's not necessarily a given though. I've lowered lots of cars and most had front camber at the edge or just out of factory spec and I've never had too much of a problem. If you drive somewhat aggressively from time to time chances are that will wear down the outside of the tires enough to keep it even. Even if you do get a bit more inside wear, it might reduce tire life 20% max. It's not like they will wear out in a few months unless your alignment is WAY out of spec. I think toe being out of spec has the potential to cause more increased tire wear because the tire is effectively being dragged across the road sideways.
spyder101
10-03-2009, 05:37 PM
Front camber is not adjustable. So the short answer is YES your tires will now wear on the inside edges.
Stern makes a set of upper control arms that allow you to adjust camber. (http://www.purems.com/products/product.php/II=2681)
Vince
The front camber IS adjustable. It's called a "sub-frame shift". ALL A4's from 1996-2008 have this adjustment.
The front camber IS adjustable. It's called a "sub-frame shift". ALL A4's from 1996-2008 have this adjustment.
Although your comment may meet a technical definition of "adjustment" it will not allow an owner to properly re-align an individual wheel back to the center of its ideal operating specs.
The "sub frame" you refer to is a shift of the entire front carriage (cross member) assembly. This only allows a left-to-right balance, making sure both side are equally off and NOT a true camber adjustment.
Vince
ataylor
10-03-2009, 09:16 PM
I just got aligned after being lowered for 4 months. I had all-seasons that I wasn't planning on keeping so I let those tires wear unevenly. When I finally did get aligned (after getting new wheels and tires this month), the info on how misaligned I was... was surprising. I'll scan the sheet they gave me on monday and show you what I mean..
08lichmanj
10-04-2009, 03:42 PM
i have had two alignments and my front wheels still wear on the inside. its not bad but noticeable, but hey you gotta pay to play. and if its not causing that big of problems for me i dont really mind because it looks f'in awesome and handles like a champ.
Subaru71
10-04-2009, 06:47 PM
Although your comment may meet a technical definition of "adjustment" it will not allow an owner to properly re-align an individual wheel back to the center of its ideal operating specs.
The "sub frame" you refer to is a shift of the entire front carriage (cross member) assembly. This only allows a left-to-right balance, making sure both side are equally off and NOT a true camber adjustment.
Vince
^This man knows what he's talking about!
Yep, if your camber is off to the point of adversly affecting tire wear, shifting your subframe wont help you.
The stern camber arms would be the only way I know of to do it.
I have my car on coilovers at about 25" fender to ground.. and the camber really hasn't shifted much.. I don't remember how much it is but it should be around 1 degree.. not a big deal, plus helps you in the corners anyway. Also, the camber was pretty consistent on both sides.