Oct 25, 2008 -
Ask Dub Schwartz!
Dear Dub,
I have a problem with my classic car eating tires. It's not a "restoration" so we don't have to worry about finding parts as I've installed all new modern suspension parts and some great looking wheels. I've had it on the alignment machine and it's right on manufacturer specs for the car and it still chews up tires. Please help!
Hot Rod Harry
Dear Harry,
That sounds like one great hot rod you have there. But you're making one critical error in your thinking about the problem. Since you got rid of all the original suspension and replaced it with custom stuff, the manufacturer specs were also thrown out in the process. They don't mean anything anymore since those specs were for the original tie rods, control arms, and whatever else you have replaced with new and improved parts. And I'll bet the offset on your fancy new wheels is a lot different than the stock equipment too.
I'm afraid you're going to be on a trial and error mission for a while as you look at how the tires are being chewed up and make changes to the alignment based on that wear and see what happens. You basically have to write new specs for your new suspension. Happy hunting!
