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Offset Bushings [Front] .....

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George Zeck

George Zeck

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Hi All -

My front end is way off. In process of double checking allignment, refilling dampeners, replacing front bearings. Symptom: Worn VERY unevenly after ~ 3k miles. Front tires are shot.

Problems identified (so far): Loose mounting on one dampener, worn bearings (both)to be replaced and unknown accuracy of allignement.

The thought came to mind when I replaced the bushings last year that I might have installed them wrongly. Bushings are offset and IF I inadvertly placed them in backwards - the camber (OK, some type of adjustment) would be off significantly causing the tire to ride unevenly on the road.

Am I "overthinking" this problem ? This "offset" really has thrown me for a loop. Anyone familar with this issue ??

Tx-

George
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif
 
If you have offset bushings, you want the offset to be toward the center of the car. If the offset is to the outside of the car, the camber would be (more) positive, making it scrub tires badly. If it is to the inside, it shouldn't scrub too awful bad, but still (probably) more than the stock configuration). If you have too much positive camber (or if you don't have enough negative camber and you like the bends a bit too much), the outside of your tires will be worn. If you have too much negative camber, the insides of your tires will be worn.
 
Quote:
"and unknown accuracy of alignement."

By all means, first check the alignment or have it checked by a knowledgeable person. That much wear in 3,000 miles indicates a serious problem. An alignment check by a good shop would be cheaper than wearing tires in 3,000 miles. Getting it corrected "might" also result in a considerably better driving car.

I would guess that ball park settings would be +1 to -2 degrees of camber, 0 to 1/16" toe in, & 2 to 4 degrees of positive castor. Wrong toe in setting would be the most likely thing to cause this much wear this quickly.

Tire/wheel balance could also be a factor, but it would have to be really off to give that much wear.
D
 
It is possible to put the upper trunnion (4a) in backwards. You didn't do that, did you?


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No -- did not put the trunion in backwards. The inside of the tires are what is worn (extremely).

The bushing offset seems to be in the inside more than anything else. Is there a particular allignment these should be at ? (i.e. inside leaning up or outside leaning down; can't be center because of the dumb offset -- why in the heck did they do it that way ?????)

Thanks all-

George /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif
 
I'm really confused. The offset bushing is a performance item ... you could get one with no offset.

Also, does the car dart on turn-in? If so, I suspect you've got excessive toe-out. I can't see how a bushing would cause extreme wear on the insides of the tires. The amount of camber adjustment is fairly modest.
 
Matt --

No excessive turn in. Just rough"on the bumps". I think the issue is more the A) bearings, B) loose dampener / low on fluid . Just trying to fix all I can and I probably read more into a past post than was meant to be.

And yes -- they are preformance bushings. Parts supplier said I needed them.

Tx--

George
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif
 
Just wonderin' George: Is this place over in the Mentor area?
 
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