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anyone with Camber wear after lowering car?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by dynasty, Apr 25, 2013.

  1. dynasty

    dynasty Member

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    I lowered my car with Tien htechs last year.. i have camber wear on the inner front tires only due to the negative camber from lowering.
    did you install a front camber kit with your lowered car? or were you able to change the camber using the stock hardware?

    thanks
     
  2. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

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    I've had my Prii lowered on H&Rs & now Tein coilovers. I haven't seen any wear on my tires......but I also rotate my tires every 5k miles.
     
  3. peterjmc

    peterjmc Ping pong in Ding Dang...

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    Did you get your car aligned after lowering your car and allowing the springs to settle in?

    I've had my car lowered for many 10s of thousands of miles. Probably around 60,000 miles. I haven't seen any unusual wear. I've rotated my tires every 5,000 or 10,000 miles. I also had my car aligned 500-1,000 miles after installing the springs (proper settling time) and a few times after that to make sure everything was straight after hitting some significant pot holes.
     
  4. Sfcyclist

    Sfcyclist Senior Member

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    You sure it's not from toe? From what I gather, even with lowering, the camber is still within spec and only toe is adjusted after lowering(modestly at least).
     
  5. dynasty

    dynasty Member

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    Thanks for the quick replies. I think the wear is due to significant toe out. I got my car aligned right after lowering the car and didn't wait for the springs to settle. That could be it. The rears are fine just the very inner tread on the fronts are wearing at a rapid rate. Thanks
     
  6. ockevin

    ockevin Active Member

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    No wear at all with my TRD springs.
     
  7. peterjmc

    peterjmc Ping pong in Ding Dang...

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    If very inner thread then most likely its camber wear. Get a new set of tires and have the car aligned. :)
     
  8. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

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    I would suspect toe as the problem also. Lowering the car changes the angle of the tie rod, thus changing the relative length from the steering knuckle to the center link. It doesn't take much to cause scrubbing of the tires.
     
  9. peterjmc

    peterjmc Ping pong in Ding Dang...

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    Found a cool chart. I didn't realize excessive wear due to toe and camber looked almost similar.

    [​IMG]
     
  10. Sfcyclist

    Sfcyclist Senior Member

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    get it aligned and report back. I would bet it's toe!
     
  11. dynasty

    dynasty Member

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    All, i got the car aligned over the weekend... Attached are the before and efter...
    before on the left column, midde is the target spec, and right is the as left specs.
    apparently you cant adjust the camber on these cars without a kit.. a bolt kit for the front (strut to steering hub) and a bolt/hinge for the rear arm. The front camber was in spec even with the drop on H-techs....
    rear toe looked out of spec but it couldnt be adjusted. The Front toe was definately out... and after the alignment i gained another 3MPG avg (based on 100miles so driven). I do suspect the wear was definately from the toe out drag but we will see. over all i am satisfied with the results but i think i got ripped off on the alignment..
    i paid $150. i googled how much ppls pay for an alignment and it ranges from $75-$100 for a four wheel alignment. on wells... must be the North Jersey Tax!
    thanks again for the responses.. and for everyone with a lowered car, get yours aligned!
    if you can just get a front end alignment for less money, just do that since the rear cant be adjusted without aftermarket parts.



    alignment.JPG
     
  12. dynasty

    dynasty Member

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    alignment1.JPG
    Alignment time!
     
  13. Sfcyclist

    Sfcyclist Senior Member

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    Thanks for confirming. Looking to get mine installed soon. How long have you been driving on them?

    BTW, it's "toe" like your toes and not "tow".
     
  14. xs650

    xs650 Senior Member

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    It should feel stabler on the highway, not as many steering corrections required.

    It isn't exactly a "kit" that is needed to align the front end. Toyota sells several different bolts with varying amount of offset to adjust the front camber.
     
  15. Sfcyclist

    Sfcyclist Senior Member

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    I just installed my Plus springs. Still drives straight as it did prior to Plus springs. Plan to check alignment in a few week but my guess is only an minor adjustment is needed.
     
  16. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

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    Just toe-in/out.
     
  17. Sfcyclist

    Sfcyclist Senior Member

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    I wonder if it's even out of tolerance with how good it feels.
     
  18. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

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    The toe is a critical setting. It wears the tires faster than camber due to a scrubbing effect. It doesn't have to be off by very much to cause problems. Also, it doesn't effect drive-ability too much. It's just a good way to wear your tires out.
     
  19. Sfcyclist

    Sfcyclist Senior Member

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    I've owned numerous cars which I've lowered and familiar with how it feels pre and post suspension work. What I'm saying is I wouldn't be surprised this is just at the limit of the tolerance. We'll see.. :)
     
  20. Jcgnic3man

    Jcgnic3man Junior Member

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    I have a question for you bro, i just lowered my car Monday on TRD springs, did you need an alignment done, how the wear on the tires?

    Thanks,