Hi All,

Just spent my first year driving my 2005 G35 coupe and after a bad brake job at Midas,

I took my car in to another company to have them repaired. During the inspection the tech informed me the front tires were worn to the ply.

The Tech also explained that these cars are rough on tires and they tend to wear on the inside most because of the way the toe and camber is set.

Getting to the point. Would it be cost effective to install a set of front and rear camber kits on the car to correct this problem and reduce tire wear? Will it prolong the life of my new set of tires? What are the trade offs in handling and performance if I do?

The article I read from Stillen refers to using these when you "drop" ride height and run 20 inch wheels. I am riding at stock height with 19 inch staggered Toyo's and the OEM forged sport wheels.

Thanks for any helpful input

 

No need for those with stock ride height and stock wheels. I would get the allignment done. Your car comes with standard toe and camber adjustments, the aftermarket ones are for more + or - camber or toe. I get my allignment done at Firestone cause a buddy works there, they also have a good lifetime allignment price. Hope I helped.

Brandon

 

I have a 2007 G35 coupe with 77k miles. The car is 100% stock. No mods have been done. After noticing wear on the inside front tires and hearing tire noise I took it into a local tire and alignment shop. The camber was -1.3 and -1.5 on the right and left front tires, respectively. Don't remember the rear specs but they were off slightly, as well. The tech told me there was no adjustment on the camber arms and I would have to replace the arms with an aftermarket kit. If I include the rear arms as well I am looking at about $1000 with parts labor and alignment. Is it possible that their is actually adjustment left on the stock camber arms? I really don't want to drop the dollars to do this, but it's less expensive than going chewing up tires in the long run.

 

Sounds like your bushings in your control arms are worn, which I would well expect at 77K miles. You can replace the front bushings on the car (there are 2 bushings in the upper control arms and 2 in the lower control arms) with Whiteline bushings (the kit is about $170) and restore the original alignment specs. Labor will cost you about $250-500, depending on where you get it done.

Alternatively, yes, you can get some adjustable control arms that would correct the camber, but those typically run about $350-400 just for fronts. There is a combo front and rear kit from SPC for ~$500 (http://thmotorsports.com/combo_packa.../i-221817.aspx) and add in labor.

Rear camber should be less of an issue for you so probably better to focus on the front for now.

 

Thanks for your insight. Looks like I'm going to spend some $$ regardless which way I jump. I will look into the control arm bushings more.

 

Yeah, LOL. Unfortunately performance cars are never cheap to keep in tip-top. I just got through doing my front bushings and I have to say it is a significant improvement, and I was only at 45K miles on my 04. Ride quality is same as OEM rubber bushings but the tightness and feel have been restored - feels like a new car.

 

I am in the process of replacing my LCA / UCA bushings / Balljoint.
Aftermarket Poly bushings + balljoints are quite pricey when you do parts + pay labor.
I am in stock suspension / stock height with new OEM shocks.

The car still rides bad and squeek by the control arm. The car will be going into Z Car Garage next week for inspection...




However, isn't it cheaper to just replace the entire LCA / UCA?

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par.../N-jofe9Z8oxkv
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par.../N-jofe9Z8oxla

$94+$94 (LCA)+$70+$70(UCA) = $328 + install (which isn't so hard).

LCA Ball joint = $68 each vs $94 assembled.

 

Long before you start throwing $$ at your coupe find out what you really need. Find an independent brake/alignment shop in your area and let them go thru your suspension for parts that would cause tire wear. Stay with OE parts, I haven't seen aftermarket parts yet that don't have issues. Once they find the part that needs replacing all you'll need is an alignment done right....forget camber kits!
Gary

 

gary c - Thanks for your words of wisdom. I have to agree there has to be a more appropriate fix than the aftermarket camber kit. Something is causing the tires to wear unevenly. I always appreciate your comments!

 

Auto Innovations is a great alignment shop that most of bay area g's have had amazing experience with