Hi guys, need some advice. I blew a front tire last night and I will probably get all 4 new ones. I am lowered ~1 1/4" inch front, 1" rear on Zeal V6 coilovers. Running Volks SF Challenge 9.5 front +28, 10.5 rear +23. When i did the coilover install noticed that my front tires were in bad shape on the inner side. The rears looked OK. I went ahead and installed the SPC camber kit anyway. My aligment numbers are

LF -1.66 camber, +.03" toe
RF -2.00 camber +.04" toe.

LR -1.41 camber +0.06" toe
RR -1.48 camber +0.05 toe

The before toe numbers on the front were way out LF +.07" RF -.11" I think this is probably what chewed out my front tires, not the negative camber.

Before I drop big money on 350evo front arms and new Michelin PS2 I would like to know if the arms are really necessary?

I am currently on Bridgestone SO3 with about 12K miles on them, but since I already blew 1 front tire, I don't expect the others to last much longer. Car is not a daily driver so mileage is on the low side.

 

damn man that sucks. im in the same boat. i will be lowering my car with hks rs coilovers i bought the rear camber kit. i dont know if i really nee the fronts

 

Get the SPC front kit and save some cash.

A kit is never a "must" as long as you can live with the tire wear.

 

Well, my concern is front tire wear, as you all know, 19" tires are on the expensive side! What I would really like to know is if running -1.5-2.0 of front camber will chew up my tires quickly. If I can get 15k-20k of tire life and somewhat even wear, I would be happy and consider that a front camber kit is unnecessary.

As for going with the 350evo arms, from my research they are considered the best and most trouble free of all the kits out there; seems that all the other arms have issues?

 

i think the revised spc front kit is coming out soon hopefully it solves all problems.

 

Went ahead and got the 350evo arms coming in next week. My tires are on, and alignment rechecked and just don't feel that they will last running them at -2. So, I guess is just better spend the money now and fix the problem, or spend the money anyway on tires more often.

 

...let's us know how the 350evos work out !
I too, are looking closely at them right now...

 

toe is the main killer not camber.


camber causes excessive wear only if your a straight line agressive driver.. most people that show insane wear are they guys who launch all the time... this will cause it to eat straight from the middle. BUT if ur an all around agressive driver taking turns like you should.. camber is your best friend and u wont see much wear from the inside only.

most people slam they cars and "see" the camber and figure "oh damn yo i got that camber wear" only because they have no clue what toe is.

id just have an alignment shop adjust toe and go.. front gets some beautiful camber #'s stock with just a small drop

 

I just installed the SPC fronts and rears. I hear a knocking when I hit a substantial bump or pothole (fvckin cali roads). But besides that everything is back into spec and it rides great. Still trying to figure out how to get my ABS, slip, and VDC light to shut off.

 

i had the knocking with my stock arms when i was lowered more than 3.5" i figured it was the control arm hitting the top inside there.. im guessing the SPC arms are a little longer meaning hitting sooner..

i raised the car 3/8" and never knocked again

riley

 

Well got the 350evo arms in, and in the process of installing them (very easy to do, by the way) I snapped one of the a-arms mounting bolts. Freaking torque wrench did not click when set to 44ft-lbs, so will be off to Sears to have them replace it. Will need to get to the dealer tomorrow and get a new bolt. Luckly I was able to get the nut out fairly easily.

Other than that, the arms are very well built and looks like the adjustment should be fairly easy. I am hoping to get to ~ -0.8 degrees of camber.

Will give you guys an update when install is finished and alignment done.

 

OK, finally got everything back together, although could not get the right bolt, I am right now just using a hardened hardware store bolt while the dealer order comes in. It should be safe, grade 10.9, equivalent to SAE grade 8. It'll just sit on the garage for now until I get the correct bolt, I just wanted to get the car off the jackstands.

On another note, I am very disappointed of Sears/Craftman. They would not exchange the torque wrench, so there so called "lifetime" warranty on hand tools is not really "lifetime". They wanted to charge me $49 to have the wrench just looked at. I think I'll just go to Home Depot and get an exchange for a Husky.

I just eyeballed the camber for now, set the adjustment plate flush with the a-arm. Next week will get it in for alignment and will see what the final numbers are.

 

how much were the 350evo camber kit, i have the spc revised ones

 

~870, shipped to my door.