lower control arm is horizontal->points up when people in car or turning->camber wear

[soccerballtux]

I drive a Scion tC (yeah I know that probably the problem right ) that I lowered 1.5" while getting some stiffer springs and koni yellows.

I carpool regularly to work and drive in a spirited manner around turns. Combined, the extra weight from these and the control arm already being parallel to the ground shifts my front wheels into positive camber (especially when cornering) and is providing some less-than-desirable camber wear.

Looking at the top of the wheel with steering completely to left or right, it's probably between 5-10 degrees of positive camber. I can get some camber links kits that'll give me -2.0 deg, however I'd like it if I could do something with the control arm to reposition it to gain negative camber when cornering or when fat people get in the car. Do I have any options?

 

[SilthDraeth]

I drive a Scion tC (yeah I know that probably the problem right ) that I lowered 1.5" while getting some stiffer springs and koni yellows.
Do I have any options?

Scion isn't your problem, lowering it is. Granted the only thing I have to go by is experience in having bought a car that had been lowered, and just hearing about issues from people who have lowered.

Is there any info on Scion boards?

 

[soccerballtux]

Yeah I kept reading after posting this. One other poster mentioned "RCAs" aka "roll center adjusters".
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/showthread.php?t=193373
I think Scion owners are too uninformed to understand why they might need those.
Looks like the only option are doubling up on the camber adjusters, you can get 2 sets to do +/- 3degrees in the front.

 

[BassBomb]

Get an alignment

 

[NutBucket]

Find a real alignment shop and figure out what you need to get about -1 degree of static camber up front. I haven't run into any wear issues with various lowered Subarus when running that spec.

Also, what you describe about the camber changing drastically at full lock is perfectly normal for a lot of cars. I wouldn't worry about that.

Finally, roll center adjusters are meant to change handling characteristics and won't do much for your alignment/wear issues.

 

[T_K]

When the wheel articulates via steering, one side usually gains and the opposite side loses, that's 100% normal.

Just take it to an alignment shop and get it checked out. A decent place shouldn't charge more than like $20. Are you getting outside wear or inner wear?

 

[exdeath]

Taller ball joints to restore control arm geometry.

 

[soccerballtux]

Taller ball joints to restore control arm geometry.

Yeah that's what I'm finding looking around as well.

Unfortunately nobody makes them for my car best as I can tell.

 

[thomsbrain]

Are your tires wearing more on the outside or the inside of the tire?

Your description of steering lock adding "positive" camber leads me to think you may not be describing camber properly. Caster setups on most cars add negative camber on the outside wheel when the steering wheel is turned (both tires lean into the corner).

 

[soccerballtux]

on the outside.
I'll do the steering lock check again.

 

[Throckmorton]

Are your tires wearing more on the outside or the inside of the tire?

Your description of steering lock adding "positive" camber leads me to think you may not be describing camber properly. Caster setups on most cars add negative camber on the outside wheel when the steering wheel is turned (both tires lean into the corner).

The kingpin angle creates negative camber on the inside tire, and positive on the outside tire. Turn your steering to full lock and look at the outside tire. You'll see that it's tilted pretty severely away from the direction it would be steering.