Re: 164 Alignment, tire wear, etc...

[bjanesi@domain.elided]

ferdinando di matteo <ferdinando.di@domain.elided> writes...
>Michael Smith is telling us what little he knows about his 164.   Untrue
>about eating tires even after alignment.   When 164 wheels are aligned
>straight ahead, no toe, tires will last many thousands of miles and wear
>evenly.  I never rotate my wheels and one would never guess the 
mileage.
> 
>When you think about it, any amount of toe in or out creates drag
>particularly on the edges.  Inside edge too much toe-out and outside
>edge means too much toe-in.  What else does anything but no-toe do?
>Less gas mileage, of course and reduced top speed.  Might as well  throw
>out an anchor.  Fred Di Matteo

Let me tread on sacred ground here and (only somewhat) disagree with Fred
on this issue.  First, I agree with his advice to set the front toe at
zero (.5mm total toe-out will give optimal handling but likely result in
increased inner edge tire wear).   The rear needs some toe-in for optimal
handling, but not the ~5mm total advised by the factory.  2.5 - 3mm is
probably a better figure to aim for.  Note, these are the numbers Dennis
Black uses when he aligns a 164.  

Also be aware that on a lowered car, camber will increase and is not
adjustable using "factory approved methods".  On my 1" lowered car, I'm
on the ragged edge of the factory spec at -2.2 & -2.4 degrees for the
fronts.

Brad Anesi
'91 Project 164Q 5-speed

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