What are your thoughts on reversing the the rotation of directional tires. IE, the tire rotating in the reverse direction. Safe? Unsafe?


The reason I asking is because I've had ongoing front steering/suspension problems for over a year now and I don't want to buy new tires until I've got my steering or suspension fixed. I've taken my car to frame shops, alignment shops and mechanics and everyone says things look fine.

In case anyone would like to trouble shoot my front end problems:

Car goes out of alignment in a matter of weeks

Outside of the driver's side front tire wears rapidly(because of alignment...I think)

Everytime, the alignment goes out of adjustment, it causes the car to pull to the right

Thanks.

 

Have you thought about the way you drive? Hitting curbs? Running over railroad tracks at speeds? Hitting potholes? Etc.

They will cause your alignement go out in a matter of minutes.

The outside wear is caused by the tire pointing inwards (positive toe). In most of the cases toe does not cause a pull.

It could also be that if your tires are worn etc. they might be causing you these problems.

Rob's example is a bit extreme (most likely something else caused that...), I think, but it is definetely not good to run them in the opposite direction.

Good luck!

TS

 

one of the functions of the grooves or channels on unidirectional tires is to divert water out from under tires.

 

I do not know how to post you the link so I just copied the main info that may help you with your front end.

This was originally posted by JOE96Z28SS:

(QUOTE) I Think I solved the LT1 tire wear issue!

I noticed a lot of people tell people who buy LT1 F-Bods to watch out for tire wear in the front. well my 96 started eating the tires in the front on the outside and after 2 alignments, still there! After removing the engine and powerwashing the engine bay I descovered a broken weld on the engine cradle! the bracket that the front of the passenger LCA bolts to failed. the factory weld completely missed the bracket! and it eventually broke the other side so the LCA could move at lease 1 inch either way but when the car was pointed straight and stopped the car would align back!?!?!? If anyone has a tirewear problem, Please look at your engine cradle! and let me know (QUOTE)

Do a search using the above post title as there is more info in teh thread.

Hope the above helps and good luck as front end problems are frustrating to say the least.

 

Thanks for the responses everyone.

This is not an issue of driving, I don't hit curbs and the roads around here are not that bad. I have 2 cars and this one is the only car with the problem.

The problem really is that the car goes out of alignment and ends up at the same point specifications wise. I don't know the #'s off hand but the alignment will eventually work its way to the same "out of alignment point" every time.


pearlpurple, I'll look into the post you mentioned.

Also, its not the tires causing the alignment problem, its actually the other way around. The contiunal problems with the alignment ate the front tires.

---IDEA--- I just thought of this:

Just curious, but does anyone think worn ball joints would affect the alignment??? Or what about bad tie rods (Not the ends but the actual tie rods). It just came to me but what if part of the tie rod itself is worn and it keeps sliping to a point where its able to grab again? Anyone familiar with this happening?

Thanks again for all the help.

 

I was thinking more of warn control arm bushings.

 

Okay, I've got some of my alingment specs, any ideas:


Left Right
Toe Toe

.34 .15
.14 -.19
1.84 .28
.09 .10
.39 .58
-.45 .56

Question: What is adjusted (or comes out of adjustment) to affect the toe? All other readings (Camber, Caster) are always within spec and rarely need adjustment.

Thanks

 

Toe is affected by both Camber and Caster. So if you change either the toe will change as well. This is why you should set the toe last during an alignment ( however you can change toe usnig the tierods without affecting either the camber or caster).

I would suspect you have something worn out in the front end, a bushing, ball joint, tierod end, etc... Although any good alignment shop should check for that sort of thing before they start changing anything. Have you tried going to a different shop? Perhaps one that specialized in suspension and not just alignments?

Also the only thing holding the alignment settings in place are the two bolts which attach the lower A-arms to the K-member. If they aren't tight enough its possible for the entire arm to shift if you hit a bump or something which really screws up the aligment (ask how I know ) Although if this were happeneing your camber and caster would be way out of whack too...

Good Luck, I've been chasing a pull on my car for almost a year now so I know its frustrating.

 

It sure is frustrating... I've had this problem for about 2 years now.

I've actually asked the shop to check for ANY worn or slightly worn component in the front end. I've check things like worn tie-rod ends and the ball joints doing the tips I've picked up from manuals and from this board.

I just cant help thinking that there is some front end component that affects both sides because when I get the car aligned, both sides are messed up. If this was a worn ball joing or control-arm-bushing on one side, would it affect the allignment readings on the opposite side?

I think I'll try to find another shop for a second oppinion.

Thanks.

 

i too have this alignment problem, and although it doesnt get out of alignment every couple of weeks, it does about every 5 or 7K miles. I have had to make my steering about an eigth turn to the right to compensate! i had several people check it out and they are all baffled. i feel your pain. I have to check out the engine cradle though....