Front wheels beginning to camber in.
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gimlithepirate
New member
There are a lot of things it could be, and none of them are good. My best bet would be a failing upper or lower ball joint, or the LCA bolts not being tight anymore.
Any of these things can cause a catastrophic failure that puts you in a ditch... If you aren't comfortable with it, I'd get it to a mechanic ASAP.
Any of these things can cause a catastrophic failure that puts you in a ditch... If you aren't comfortable with it, I'd get it to a mechanic ASAP.
Seymore Butts
New member
I would start by lifting the front end and tugging on the wheels to see what components behind them move. Whatever is not solidly in place is the culprit. If you're going to get this fixed, consider having the car towed in.
gimlithepirate
New member
To get a good look, you will need to lift the front of your vehicle on a jack until the wheels droop. Try to shake each wheel. The only play should be in the steering going in and out. Anything else is bad.
Are both wheels cambered in? Or just one? If its just one, take a good look at the top and bottom of the spindle, and where the LCA meets the frame. These are your three most likely trouble spots. They should look the same on both sides. If one appears to be sitting at an odd angle, its a good chance that is your culprit.
Are both wheels cambered in? Or just one? If its just one, take a good look at the top and bottom of the spindle, and where the LCA meets the frame. These are your three most likely trouble spots. They should look the same on both sides. If one appears to be sitting at an odd angle, its a good chance that is your culprit.
waypoint
Member
Same here when my front springs sagged due to age at 250K miles, front tires were wearing on the inboard treads noticeably. When I replaced the front struts & springs, I had alignment checked and it was in spec. Rotated the tires and put another ~12K on them before replacing them, the fronts (previously rears before rotation) had no additional wear on the inboard treads.
So, how's your front ride height and how old are your front springs?
So, how's your front ride height and how old are your front springs?
Moist
Member
I apologize for not having replied in a bit. Been busy lately.
"To get a good look, you will need to lift the front of your vehicle on a jack until the wheels droop. Try to shake each wheel. The only play should be in the steering going in and out. Anything else is bad. Are both wheels cambered in? Or just one? If its just one, take a good look at the top and bottom of the spindle, and where the LCA meets the frame. These are your three most likely trouble spots. They should look the same on both sides. If one appears to be sitting at an odd angle, its a good chance that is your culprit." -gimilithepirate
Both of the front wheels are cambering in. Just from looking at the lower ball joints it looks alright. the tie rods look good too, but I can't prove that anything is good. I do not have the ability to lift the vehicle, so I'm bringing it in. (needs new brakes, wiper fluid tank has a hole in it somewhere, and a loud whine is coming from the engine.)
"Same here when my front springs sagged due to age at 250K miles, front tires were wearing on the inboard treads noticeably. When I replaced the front struts & springs, I had alignment checked and it was in spec. Rotated the tires and put another ~12K on them before replacing them, the fronts (previously rears before rotation) had no additional wear on the inboard treads. So, how's your front ride height and how old are your front springs?" -waypoint
I haven't noticed any uneven wear, (although I haven't owned it long enough to confirm or deny that)
The front springs have never been touched, factory from 2003. (at least to my knowledge)
The front is noticeably lower than the rear (about an inch by eyeballing it), but it may appear that way from the bent skid plate. I'm not sure the exact numbers, but it's noticeable. The car is sitting at 186K miles, daily driven since 2003, been in an area that gets snow often. So quite a bit of rust caked on everything.
"To get a good look, you will need to lift the front of your vehicle on a jack until the wheels droop. Try to shake each wheel. The only play should be in the steering going in and out. Anything else is bad. Are both wheels cambered in? Or just one? If its just one, take a good look at the top and bottom of the spindle, and where the LCA meets the frame. These are your three most likely trouble spots. They should look the same on both sides. If one appears to be sitting at an odd angle, its a good chance that is your culprit." -gimilithepirate
Both of the front wheels are cambering in. Just from looking at the lower ball joints it looks alright. the tie rods look good too, but I can't prove that anything is good. I do not have the ability to lift the vehicle, so I'm bringing it in. (needs new brakes, wiper fluid tank has a hole in it somewhere, and a loud whine is coming from the engine.)
"Same here when my front springs sagged due to age at 250K miles, front tires were wearing on the inboard treads noticeably. When I replaced the front struts & springs, I had alignment checked and it was in spec. Rotated the tires and put another ~12K on them before replacing them, the fronts (previously rears before rotation) had no additional wear on the inboard treads. So, how's your front ride height and how old are your front springs?" -waypoint
I haven't noticed any uneven wear, (although I haven't owned it long enough to confirm or deny that)
The front springs have never been touched, factory from 2003. (at least to my knowledge)
The front is noticeably lower than the rear (about an inch by eyeballing it), but it may appear that way from the bent skid plate. I'm not sure the exact numbers, but it's noticeable. The car is sitting at 186K miles, daily driven since 2003, been in an area that gets snow often. So quite a bit of rust caked on everything.
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gimlithepirate
New member
Front is supposed to be an inch lower than the rear. That's so your nose isn't in the air when you load the back up with your monthly Costco run :boink:
That said, the fact both are cambering in is a little puzzling to me. My best bet would be sagging suspension that's just plain worn out, without an alignment in a very long time.... but its pretty weird that its symmetrical. Parts that control alignment are "per side," so the only two things connecting the front wheels in an IFS rig are the steering shaft and the anti sway bar.
That said, the fact both are cambering in is a little puzzling to me. My best bet would be sagging suspension that's just plain worn out, without an alignment in a very long time.... but its pretty weird that its symmetrical. Parts that control alignment are "per side," so the only two things connecting the front wheels in an IFS rig are the steering shaft and the anti sway bar.
Moist
Member
The car is back and the results are here. The Ball joints are in good condition, same with the tie rods and control arms (albeit a fair bit rusted).
Both the front and back sit about half an inch lower than where they should be. The front right is the lowest, and it corresponds to an accident the vehicle was in where a knuckle and control arm were torn off the FR wheel.
The front right wheel was out of alignment.
Otherwise the suspension is just plain old. I'll probably fix it if I have the time and money. After all It's not unsafe, just old and I really don't plan on going off the road anytime soon.
Thank you guys for your help.
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