Idaho430

'02 SC430 with just over 30K miles. She is wearing out the inside edges of the tires. We have had the car aligned twice in our one year ownership. Are these cars prone to this kind of wear and/or going out of alignmentr? Would this be a spring/shock/strut issue? I assume the original components are still on the car so maybe she just needs replacement parts due to age. She has low miles, but she is 11 years old now.

Slingshot1

If your SC was aligned to Lexus specs, it has to much negative camber and will wear the tires on the inside edges, corners great but wears out tires!

OBP

Second that. I had my dealer change the camber a little to give me better tire wear cos I am not racing this car ever. Been on less negative camber settings since 2008 and I am getting only slight inside edge wear.

iolmaster

iTrader: (1)

When I got my 06 (Lexus CPO) it had the run flats on the car and the inner edge wore badly. I replaced them with Conti DWS and got 41K by having the alignment done with little camber. I probably could have gone another 5K. Don't use the Lexus specs or you will have this problem. FYI to anyone reading. I just replaced the DWS with a new Conti tire called the Pure Contact with LRR. Very nice tire. I like them better than the DWS.

Harold57

iolmaster, I know that we've been over this many times in the past but what specs did you wind up with. I know that there are limits as to how far the camber can be pushed.

iolmaster

iTrader: (1)

Fronts are at -0.4 degrees and the rears are at -0.9 degrees

StillLine

Idaho430,

Nothing wrong with your SC or suspension components. As previously stated, the factory alignment specs are 100% the culprit.

I took my 2006 SC to my local Toyota dealer and paid $100 to get a "custom" alignment. I explained that I wanted every bit of rear negative camber removed that was possible and the front aligned like the front of a typical luxury car. I ultimately explained that I wanted the car aligned to maximize tire wear. I don't remember the exact specs, but those previously quoted by iolmaster sound about right.

StillLine

iolmaster

iTrader: (1)

Just to let you know. The -0.9 degrees in the rear was at the limit. In other words they could not get them less than the -0.9 degrees. It seemed to work as I got 41K on the Contis and could have gotten more. All four tires were worn perfectly.

Idaho430

Thanks guys. Exactly the info I needed. Sounds like I need yet ANOTHER alignment but this time with the right specs.

kjcole

I basically give the same instructions at each alignment and the wear on my Contis DWS is nice and even, which has amazed me. I'm predicting 40-50K on these tires as well. It can be done!

akdash1

The sc430 can have a neutral camber. -0.9 is actually the maximum camber you can have. Negative camber means the bottom of tire is sticking out and more wear occurs on the inner half of the tire. If the camber is 0, that means the wheel is exactly 90 degrees from the ground.

If the wear is on the inner quarter/edge of the tire, it's a result of having a toe angle that is not neutral in conjunction with the camber, not the camber itself.

Idaho430

OK...now I'm really confused. Doesn't this conflict with what is posted above?

mandyfig

More on this please as I have the same major issue...bad wear on the inside.

OBP

Hey Mandy, just get the usual indie mechanic to take out some of the negative camber. I have a print out of my specs which a Lexus dealer in NY adjusted for me way back in 2008 - Had no real problems with uneven tire wear. Will show you my print out next time I see you. Or if you need it faster, I can PM. Lemme know.

One thing is I do not know how your spacers will affect the ideal settings...

akdash1

Yes, the information above was incorrect.



"Zero camber will result in more even tire wear over time, but may rob performance during cornering. Ultimately, optimal camber will depend upon your driving style and conditions the vehicle is being driven in."

http://yospeed.com/wheel-alignment-e...er-caster-toe/