Tire Wear Outside Edge

[1988_Mustang_GT]

Hi Guys,
I installed new tires about 5000kms ago on my 1988 Mustang GT. The front tires are feathered pretty bad now on the outside edge (the passanger side is a little worse than the driver side). The rear tires are almost like new (the front are like new on the inside and center of the tire). I took it back to the alignment shop, but everything was within factory spec. The camber for both sides was 0.7 The mechanic recommended dropping that to 0.2 and see what would happen, but when he tried to adjust the camber down, it was already on the lowest setting. He said I may need softer or shorter springs to drop the car down a bit so he can make a camber adjustment. My car does sit higher on the front than in the rear for some reason. Maybe the wrong springs are installed or some sort of aftermarket drag launch kit. What do you guys think? Should I try new springs?

If I go back to stock springs, should I go for conventional or variable rate springs? What is the difference? Do you think this will slove my front tire wear issue?

 

[wildstang87]

wouldnt it be easier to add some c/c plates. and a feathered edge on a tire will most likely be the toe, not the camber. the toe will make it drag that portion of the tire and cup it up. camber will make it sit on that section and just wear it flat. hard to explain but thats the truth. and im ase certified.

 

[1988_Mustang_GT]

I thought it was a toe issue as well. The front tires are only worn on the outside edge (approx 1 inch to 1.5 inches from the edge). I wouldn't say that the section of the tire is worn flat, but it has almost destoryed the thread (you can't see the groves very well on the passanger side edge). Where would I get c/c plates? Are they hard to install?

 

[rd]

If you have stock springs, it should be able to be aligned easily with the stock upper mounts. If that is the case, check the tie rod ends and ball joints for wear, as they will cause scuffing also.

That said, my 79 has required alignments at least once a year since I got it in 1981, both stock and with lowering springs.

The old Ford brace kit helped a lot, the subframes helped some more.

When I lowered it with the B springs, the shop got to exactly where you are, it would align within the factory spec tolerances, but it would not drive straight.

I solved it with the cc plates.

 

[1988_Mustang_GT]

I replaced a bad ball joint and a bad bearing before I installed the tires. Maybe I will trya new set of springs and/or c/c plates. Do I need special tools to compress the springs? Can I change them meself without much trouble?

 

[wildstang87]

i wouldnt recommend changing your springs yourself without atleast a little experience with coil springs. it could be very dangerous. u can however install the caster/camber plates yourself. and you can find them anywhere on the net. in magazines, etc..