question about tires

[Cryptic]

The inside of my rear tires are balding. My front (drive) tires dont have nearly as much wear. My guess is its because I have 84k on the car and my stock struts are shot.

Anyone else got any input?

http://www.crypticvault.com/albums/random/DSCF0125.sized.jpg
http://www.crypticvault.com/albums/random/DSCF0126.sized.jpg

[ffvetteman]

What kind of car? Independent rear suspension?

[Cryptic]

this is on the Grand Prix GTP/GTX


Strut front suspension with stabilizer bar independent with coil springs , multi-link rear suspension with stabilizer bar independent with coil springs

[CruxGNZ]

Is it lowered? How are the stock bushings? When is the last time it was aligned?

!M!

[ffvetteman]

You need a 4 wheel alignment then. The camber in the rear is off.

I had a 4 wheel alignment done at Sears for about $180 on my Vette.

[ffvetteman]

They can also tell you if anything is worn and needs replacement

[Cryptic]

Is it lowered? How are the stock bushings? When is the last time it was aligned?

!M!

not lowered, havent looked at bushings, aligned I think around 35-40k (4 wheel)

I plan on getting lowering springs and new struts... so I would of had to do the alignment anyway.

GTP guys, whats the hot setup for springs and stuts nowadays... I've been out of the loop.

[jbiscuit]

yep thats whats the problem...the camber is off. Thats a REAL common problem with lowered cars.....maybe when they did the alignment they gave you too much camber in the rear???? That would cause premature wearing like that

[Zkid14]

You need a 4 wheel alignment then. The camber in the rear is off.

I had a 4 wheel alignment done at Sears for about $180 on my Vette.

what kind of vette? was it something difficult to align? A normal Alignment at Firestone is 79.99 last time i checked (I work there so...)

-Matt

[SSmike1]

hey Andy
that is the perfect Camber
for Cornering!

Leave it like it is,
and CORNER FASTER!!!!!!!

and the tires will wear evenly!

:rolf

[theavenger333]

cryptic the "hot" setup these days is whichever shocks you want and eibachs..... as for that you might not necessarily need a whole new suspension, just a camber kit possibly

[Poncho]

here's my opinion on the best budget upgrades what you can get @ your local stealership, and online.

Spring Tech 1.6" Lowering Springs -- www.suspensionmax.com $150
They are like the stock springs, but lower, and maintain that somewhat comfy ride, but are stiffer. You don't have to sacrifice too much to get a better looking ride height. They aren't progressive like the more expensive Eibachs, but on W-Bodies, Eibachs don't lower evenly and provide too stiff of a ride.

KYB Struts - Stiffer, better than stock, and can be found for $150 for all 4. (Check clubgp.com for where you can get them that cheap)

Get yourself a GM Performance Parts catalog and have a field day.

GM Performance Parts Ft & Rr strut tower braces. (Formerly the Regal "F" Bar)

GM Performance Parts Tubular Trailing Arms

GM Performance Parts Heavy Duty (Impala Police Car) Sway Bars. These made a big difference in handling ability.

Regular Part - Engine Cradle retainers for a w-car. Replace the stock strut top retainers with these. They are the same but shorter, and greatly reduce "pogo" after lowering

By now you'll want new mounts for the struts as well.

I have all the above on my car, except I'm still on stock struts, and the ride is much like stock, but the handling ability has greatly increased.

then get her aligning, your camber is way off.

[Cryptic]

are Spring Tech's Struts any good?
Is there GM Performance catalog online? I cant find anything with GP parts in it.

[ffvetteman]

what kind of vette? was it something difficult to align? A normal Alignment at Firestone is 79.99 last time i checked (I work there so...)

-Matt


Sorry yes the 4 wheel alignments on Vetta tend to be more. It was on my 84. They wouldnt even do my dads 77!!

[98whitegpgt]

GMPP suspension (konis). I got eibachs, and the ride is a bit rough, but that is on stock struts.

[theavenger333]

anytime you put aftermarket springs with any sort of improved handling or lowering characteristics on stock struts your ride will be ****. thats why half the hondas out there all bounce like crap, when i was in the shop we used to put lowering springs on stock dead struts all the time, but nobody ever listened, they just want their **** lookin all janky

[Poncho]

the spring tech struts are quality, they are rebadged gabriel struts.

avenger, I have to totally disagree with you. My car does not feel poor in any way, other than the worn out mounts making noise. the ride is like stock, but a bit tighter, and of course the benefits from the lower center of gravity. I wanted a nice ride yet, and that's why I didn't get Eibachs, and the GMPP Strut package, while adjustable barely lowers the car enough to even be noticeable.

For the money, I'm happy w/ my lowering springs.

[theavenger333]

dan did you put them on new struts or used ones..... i meant to say used struts

[Poncho]

I put them on my stockers.

but basically you're saying don't put them on OEM struts either.

nothing is wrong w/ used.