Ok to have one degree negative camber in the front?

Neesan · #1 (**permalink**) 03-02-2005, 10:08 PM

I saw this show on this rsx and they dropped it 2 inches and left the camber in the front a degree negative for better handling and they said it wouldnt wear the tires noticeably, but then why the hell do they sell +1/-1 camber kits? since Im getting my car aligned when it gets dropped next week I wanted to know if its a good idea to go a little negative and possibly not buy a front camber kit.

Red Lion · #2 (**permalink**) 03-03-2005, 12:18 AM

You have to take into account what kind of RSX it was. Was a race-bred RSX? What kind of tires did it use? If it's race bred, you can be sure the tires they're using will only last about 10-15Kmiles anyway, so what's another 1000 to them?

But on tires that are meant to last 50K+ miles, you'll notice it badly around 30K, give or take 5K. Get the kit, save the tires.

Neesan · #3 (**permalink**) 03-03-2005, 12:59 AM

No, No, it was a stock rsx type s? and they were just doing a suspension mod on it which was just a 2 inch lower, for owners to make it handle better, they only said -1 in the front and anymore would trash the tires, which were the stock setup.

Red Lion · #4 (**permalink**) 03-03-2005, 01:04 AM

I still say get the kit, but if you want to save money that's up to you. You might not wear the tires out that fast.

soc_monki · #5 (**permalink**) 03-03-2005, 03:46 AM

ill put it this way...im dropped id guess nearly 2 inches on my car on GCs, and i have no camber problems. just checked the front tires today after nearly 6,000 miles...Slow KA_ is dropped on Sprints and no camber kit and has good tire wear also.
1 degree negative isnt that bad. as long as you like to drive in a "spirited" sense...in other words, you like to take turns a little faster than normal etc...then youll be fine, the negative camber will actually help.
also, rotation is your friend. if you never rotate your tires then youll be screwed...the fronts will wear much quicker than the rear because of it being a FWD. every 7500 miles (or every other oil change...just be consistent!) my ES100's have been on this car for over a year, and roughly 30K miles...and still have a good bit of tread left. a testament to regular rotations! yes, theyll need to be changed before summer im sure, im back in school now and driving a LOT more...but i expect the next set to last up to and over 30K just like this set. take care of them and theyll take care of you.

if your paranoid, get the kit. or you could wait till after you drop it and have it aligned...they should be able to tell you what your camber is and if its over 1 degree negative, get the kit. mine is around 0.8 degrees...

at about 2 inches drop. i dont think i need it

Red Lion · #6 (**permalink**) 03-04-2005, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soc_monki

1 degree negative isnt that bad. as long as you like to drive in a "spirited" sense...in other words, you like to take turns a little faster than normal etc...then youll be fine, the negative camber will actually help.
also, rotation is your friend. if you never rotate your tires then youll be screwed...the fronts will wear much quicker than the rear because of it being a FWD. every 7500 miles (or every other oil change...just be consistent!) my ES100's have been on this car for over a year, and roughly 30K miles...and still have a good bit of tread left. a testament to regular rotations! yes, theyll need to be changed before summer im sure, im back in school now and driving a LOT more...but i expect the next set to last up to and over 30K just like this set. take care of them and theyll take care of you.

I dunno about that "spirited" driving part, I drive "spirited", okay no, HARSH, at least once a week, sometimes more. My crappy all-season tires are supposed to last 50K miles. Yeah, it hasn't even been 10K yet and the ones that were on the front are almost completely worn, all with 0 camber.

you did make a good point though about FWD and Rotations. Like I said, after harsh driving, my fronts were almost completely worn, but my rears look almost brand new minus the nubbies. All bought on the same day. That just shows the kind of wear an FWD puts down. So, I switched them. Fronts to rear, rears to front, and I hope to get at least another 10K out of them, or at least 5.

SHAWN · #7 (**permalink**) 03-04-2005, 03:37 PM

I ran -1.2 on the front of mine for a long time, thats just where it was after the 2" drop , It handles awesome there , but the only downfall is it will wear out the insides of the tires, most race cars run around -2 or more , I run -.7 right now , had to slot the upper towers , didnt want to wear on my new tires ....

Peterson · #8 (**permalink**) 03-04-2005, 04:23 PM

Messed up toe is what will kill your tires quickly.

I run 2-2.5 degrees of negative camber up front every now and then, and the tire wear is great. If your toe is whacked out, your tires won't last long.