I need to get the alignment checked before driving season. The last set of fronts were worn down to the threads on the inside of each tire while the outside edge looked fairly good.

What would be the best set up for an old maid driver like me? Is OEM the best for everyday driving (with an occasional Dragon thrown in)?

 

Dave; Were you worn on the inside of both the front and rear. Normally, I'd think you would benefit from the UK specs but this would induce slightly more negative camber

Do you know what the old specs were?

 

I was running the factory OEM setup. Just the fronts were worn. Both were worn equally

 

Go with the UK-specks...and new RE-11's...

 

I have the UK specs if you want them. I'm slightly hesitant to recommend that though, since it generally has more camber, which could cause more inner wear. I suppose your toe could be a little off, and this could cause some wear also.

I do second Denny's recommendation on RE-11's. I love mine

 

I'm trying the Star Specs this time. Guess I will stay with the OEM alignment. Does anyone know the specs so I can double check the shop when they do it?

 

From the service manual for a 2006 (newest year I have)

Camber Front: -.5 (+ or - .15) Rear: -1.5 (+ or - .15)
Caster: 6.0 (plus or minus .25)
Toe Front: 0 (+ or - .08in) Rear Toe: .14 (+ or - .08) This is for each side

I have seen a couple things quoted for the UK specs but here is what I have

Camber Front: -1 to -1.5 Camber Rear: -2 to -2.5
Caster: Max available, should be 6.0 to 6.75 (or as much as you can get)
Front Toe: 0 Rear Toe: .14 in each side, Max of .25 in total

Here are the specs on my car (lowered a bit)

Camber Front: -1.5 Camber Rear: -2.2
Caster: 5.7
Toe Front: 0 Toe Rear: .13 each side


Your camber setting will limit the travel for the caster. Therefore, the more camber you get the less caster you will be able to get. More negative camber will allow the car to turn in better. More Caster, will give a better "feel" to the steering.

Many people are advocating a zero rear toe setting. Personally, I'd stick with the factory specs for the stability. More toe provides more straight line stability, less toe provides better braking, and less rear tire wear.

Those are your tradeoffs.

I'd pay particular attention to the Front toe settings. If those were off, they could be causing your wear problem.

In general, I do like the UK settings, just don't go overboard on the camber, and you shouldn't wear the inside of the tires. Modern radial tires should wear evenly up to about -2 to -3 degree camber settings. The tires generally compensate (lean) and flatten.

You will like the Star Specs, I had those before the RE-11's. They were just slightly noisier than the RE-11's.

 

Thanks Rick.

 

You are most welcome.

Please post up what settings you have done, and if anything was "off" on the original settings. The uneven wear has me curious.

 

I'm running the UK spec..... for the last two sets of fronts I've had.....

I've had the shop pull the tires off and put on the other side of the car so they last longer.....

Otherwise you will end up only getting 50% life of the tires....