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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 87
CEG\'er
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OP
CEG\'er
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 87 |
I had my alignment checked yesterday. They came back with the contention that I need to let them put a camber adjustment kit on the car. The measured alighnment is within factory specs for all of the settings, yet my right front tire is wearing on the inside edge. There is no feathering so it doesn't look like it is a toe in issue. Could worn lower control arm bushings be allowing this wear under braking, cornering, and/or acceleration? The car has 171,000 miles on the original front suspension.
'96 SE 2.5 V6 ATX, Willow Frost Metallic
10-hole '84 Mustang 15x7 wheels w/ Dunlop 225/50-15's
CSVT air intake components with K&N cone filter
Optimized TB
Gutted Pre-cats w/MIL eliminators
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 21,197
I have no life
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I have no life
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 21,197 |
Umm 171k!!!!! Geezus yes I'd guess it's the arms. They're usually worn at 100k or less. I'm sure the RWD wheels with the incorrect offset aren't helping any either. 
-'96 SE MTX 3L
-'98 SVT 1,173 of 6,535
-'05 Mazda 6s, loaded, g/f's ride
-Need a 96-00 manual on CD? PM or email me
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,693
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,693 |
Do you have the alignment print out? That could help us.
Jim Johnson
98 SVT
03 Escape Limited
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,140
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,140 |
My money is on the control arm bushings. They can cause a significant amount of toe change during driving when shot - and I'm sure yours are toast!
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 87
CEG\'er
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OP
CEG\'er
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 87 |
Originally posted by Big Jim:
Do you have the alignment print out? That could help us.
I couldn't get the print out. They didn't charge me anything when I refused the $400 plus camber adjustment plate install. I know that the toe was right in the center of the acceptable range. I seem to recall that camber was at 1.1 degrees and was still within what they referred to as factory specifications. The mechanic wanted to adjust it down by 0.7 degrees, but my suspicion was that something else was going on. I got underneath and noticed that the lower control arm bushings look pretty worn, so I thought I'd ask what the consensus was on the forum.
I have a price of about $131.00 (right) and $152.32 (left)for the two control arms from fordpartsnetwork.com. Does anyone know if Bill Jenkins has landed anywhere yet?
'96 SE 2.5 V6 ATX, Willow Frost Metallic
10-hole '84 Mustang 15x7 wheels w/ Dunlop 225/50-15's
CSVT air intake components with K&N cone filter
Optimized TB
Gutted Pre-cats w/MIL eliminators
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,693
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,693 |
Bill is at Team Ford. http://www.teamfordlv.com/1.1 degrees negative camber should't be too much. I also would like to see it closer to .5 though if you are chasing a tire wear problem. Mine was sent from the factory close to the upper limit (about 1.7 if I remember correctly) and it most certainly contributed to a wear problem. I installed the camber kits and adjusted camber close to 0 and my tire wear problems are GONE.
Jim Johnson
98 SVT
03 Escape Limited
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 87
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 87 |
I did much better on the prices than I stated above. I found them in stock for $116.96 for the RH and $136.00 for the LH and only $7.95 for shipping. I used parts.com (Genuine Ford Parts out of Sherman, Texas) and placed the order late Monday evening. They are scheduled to be delivered tomorrow, September 1st.
'96 SE 2.5 V6 ATX, Willow Frost Metallic
10-hole '84 Mustang 15x7 wheels w/ Dunlop 225/50-15's
CSVT air intake components with K&N cone filter
Optimized TB
Gutted Pre-cats w/MIL eliminators
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 367
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 367 |
Were those parts from a dealer because I live in Sherman, TX?
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 87
CEG\'er
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OP
CEG\'er
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 87 |
Yes, it did turn out to be a dealer. I didn't know this until I got the packing slip. It was Bob Utter Ford.
'96 SE 2.5 V6 ATX, Willow Frost Metallic
10-hole '84 Mustang 15x7 wheels w/ Dunlop 225/50-15's
CSVT air intake components with K&N cone filter
Optimized TB
Gutted Pre-cats w/MIL eliminators
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 87
CEG\'er
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OP
CEG\'er
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 87 |
Well, I got the arms replaced and the alignment checked on Friday. The car feels so much tighter, you just don't realize how things degrade over time until you replace something. It looks like I may be putting on camber adjustment plates, the car is now at 0.9 on the front left and 1.3 on the front right. I am concerned this may still cause pre mature tire wear. Any comments?
By the way, I was up to 173K when the arms were replaced on Friday. Do you think this might be a record (for a still drivable car)?
'96 SE 2.5 V6 ATX, Willow Frost Metallic
10-hole '84 Mustang 15x7 wheels w/ Dunlop 225/50-15's
CSVT air intake components with K&N cone filter
Optimized TB
Gutted Pre-cats w/MIL eliminators
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