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Topic: Tire wear

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


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Tire wear

Posted: 6/16/12 6:03pm Message 1 of 9
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Redwingvette
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Waterford, MI - USA
Joined: 9/13/2002
Posts: 1755
Vette(s): 1973 Red coupe
I have put three sets of tires on my 73 since I bought it in 1993. I have done a lot of work since then including all new bushings, new steering box, new shocks, and lots of other stuff.
Anyway, I have always had some outside wear on my front tires.
I had the four wheel alignment done twice by two different shops. 
So, what may be the cause of this?
Is it too much camber? The car drives straight but has always made me feel the need for both hands on the wheelLOL
Here is a link to some pictures of the tires and the upper a-arms. The drivers side has more shims then the passenger side. 
I know the car had some front end damage years ago but I do not know to what extent.



Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans
Borgeson Steering box
 


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Re: Tire wear

Posted: 6/17/12 7:44am Message 2 of 9
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corvette440hp
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Posts: 8205
Have you considered the wheel bearings or brakes hanging up ?


corvette440hp

Re: Tire wear

Posted: 6/17/12 9:12am Message 3 of 9
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Redwingvette
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Waterford, MI - USA
Joined: 9/13/2002
Posts: 1755
Vette(s): 1973 Red coupe
I grease my wheel barrings regularly and I have replaced the calipers. Never had any issue with the car pulling one way or the other. I just did the steering box so some or all of it may have been due to the old stuff. I just thought I would post the question because the alignment shops had no answer for it.


Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans
Borgeson Steering box
 


Re: Tire wear

Posted: 6/17/12 9:33am Message 4 of 9
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Adams' Apple
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20218
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Too much positive camber can wear the outer edges of the tire, as can too much toe-in. A lot of places will toe the front in a little more than really needed, because it helps keep the car driving straight. Too much, tho, will wear the tire quicker than normal. It can also make the car a little twitchy at times.
The amount/number of shims in the stack for the a-arms is kinda irrelevant....there is no one set-up that is correct...every dang one of these cars is different. However....a car with NO shims is suspicious....as is one that has been shimmed to the max, and only has a couple of threads holding the nut to the stud. Both of these instances indicate frame issues.

I would suggest taking it to a good alignment place, and have them check the alignment, and print it out for you. That way, you can see where it is set, and then have it tweeked to suit the car...not the specs on the alignment machine.

hth


 
                                                  

|UPDATED|6/17/2012 9:33:42 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|



Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
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(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Re: Tire wear

Posted: 6/17/12 2:42pm Message 5 of 9
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tonytheroofer
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Rochester, NY - USA
Joined: 6/12/2012
Posts: 95
Vette(s): 1980 L- 82 fully restored and upgraded.
In pics it looked like the top of the tire was leaning out a small amount


1980 , ZZ430 , 3.92 rear , 700R4 2400 stall NEW EZ EFI 

Re: Tire wear

Posted: 6/17/12 3:18pm Message 6 of 9
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hmel '74
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York, SC - USA
Joined: 9/4/2005
Posts: 534
Vette(s): 1974 mille miglia red with oxblood interior 355ci, 320hp
I have the same problem.  Outside of front tires gets eaten off. 
the car runs straight down the road but doesnt handle like a vette should.  I know all about the "2 hands on the wheel" you speak of.  I truly believe that if I took in on a lengthy trip, it would eat the front tires right off the car.
I'm eventually going to replace the A-arm bushings and get an alignment as my steering will is way off center now. 

I did notice when I went from 255/60's all around to just having them in the rear.  I now have 225/70's up front and they dont seem to wear as fast (prolly due to being skinnier).



Re: Tire wear

Posted: 6/18/12 7:42am Message 7 of 9
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Redwingvette
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Waterford, MI - USA
Joined: 9/13/2002
Posts: 1755
Vette(s): 1973 Red coupe
I did a "garage check" on my toe-in. 
I could see that the toe-in was more then the recommended 1/8th" to 3/16th" so I did a small adjustment, I turned the pipe 1/2 turn on both sides. 
Joel, I liked your term, "a little twitchy".  That describes it pretty well.
Anyway, The twichyness went away and the tires do not scream around corners like they did.
Guess I will find a different alignment shop for the next time I put tires on the car.
Thanks for the help.




Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans
Borgeson Steering box
 


Re: Tire wear

Posted: 6/18/12 9:37am Message 8 of 9
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Adams' Apple
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20218
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Brian, the problem is, most alignment shops have computerized equipment, and it has it's alignment specs programed in. Whatever it says, that's what the tech will set it at....whether it is right or not. Somewhere, I have alignment specs for the Shark cars that is CORRECT. I think they are from Dick Guldstrand, but I ain't 100% sure. I'll look and see iffin I can find them somewhere. The factory specs were ok for NEW cars that were sold to all kinds of different people....a happy medium, if you will, but not really optimal for older cars that have a little wear/tear on them.

IF you can find a Corvette repair shop that does alignments, have them check it, or have them recommend a place to have it done, next time you get ready for it.



Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Re: Tire wear

Posted: 6/18/12 10:14am Message 9 of 9
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Redwingvette
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Waterford, MI - USA
Joined: 9/13/2002
Posts: 1755
Vette(s): 1973 Red coupe
Thanks Joel
I found these a long time ago, not sure where I found them.

Front Camber
Street.................1/4 to 1/2 neg
Autocross.........1/2 to 1 neg
Race...........1/2 to 1 neg
Front Caster
Street................1 1/2 to 2 1/2 pos
Autocross........1/2 to 1 pos
Race..............2 to 3 pos
Front Toe
Street...............1/8 to 3/16 in
Autocross........1/8 to 1/8 in
Race.............0 to 3/16 in

Rear Camber
Street...............0 to 1/2 neg
Autocross.......1/2 to 3/4 neg
Race............1/2 to 1 neg
Rear Toe
Street.............1/16 to 1/8 in
Autocross.....0 to 1/4 in
Race...............0 to 1/4 in


Lets compare notes.




Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans
Borgeson Steering box
 


in Forum: C3 Handling Components


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