Suspension question

[dmcutter]

I apologize if this has been well trodden in a previous lowering thread...I had my Box parked this morning with the wheels cut sharply and noticed the insides of the otherwise fresh looking tires are extremely worn. I gather that when the original owner had it lowered he did not have something readjusted correctly. Is that the camber? Can a good tire shop adjust that correctly (never thought the fronts would have to be replaced before the rears!) or does it require a spensy trip to my local Porsche dealer?
thanks.

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

Lots of people go the cheap route when lowering a Boxster (or any car for that matter) by just adding shorter springs and this will change the Suspension Geometry. Often Camber and Ackerman Angle are the variables most affected.

In this case, it sounds as if the Camber was significantly affected (increased). You can have an Alignment Shop reset the Camber (assuming you have a sufficient degree of adjustment available) and see if this doesn't help.

Of course, it won't replace the missing tread, but it will make the Tread more perpendicular to the road, so wear will be better (for the next set of Tires). Do you know how the suspension was lowered? It'd be nice to find out. If just Springs were used, you may wish to complete the job correctly, or just live with it, but at least you'll know what your options are...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[John V]

Originally Posted by dmcutter

I apologize if this has been well trodden in a previous lowering thread...I had my Box parked this morning with the wheels cut sharply and noticed the insides of the otherwise fresh looking tires are extremely worn. I gather that when the original owner had it lowered he did not have something readjusted correctly. Is that the camber? Can a good tire shop adjust that correctly (never thought the fronts would have to be replaced before the rears!) or does it require a spensy trip to my local Porsche dealer?
thanks.

It sounds to me like the car has excessive toe. Camber alone generally won't kill tires. It's toe that kills tires.

There is nothing at all magic about the Boxster's suspension. It's no harder to adjust than a typical economy car with four struts. I would go in and make sure the toe is set to factory specs, which is 5' plus or minus 5'.

[CJ_Boxster]

Originally Posted by dmcutter

I apologize if this has been well trodden in a previous lowering thread...I had my Box parked this morning with the wheels cut sharply and noticed the insides of the otherwise fresh looking tires are extremely worn. I gather that when the original owner had it lowered he did not have something readjusted correctly. Is that the camber? Can a good tire shop adjust that correctly (never thought the fronts would have to be replaced before the rears!) or does it require a spensy trip to my local Porsche dealer?
thanks.

Just so you know i believe the Boxster SHOULD have a negative camber in the front. My boxster has stock fron suspension and the insides do wear faster than the outsides. goto and alignment shop after you buy new tires and fill the gas tank to the Full mark, and have them check if its outta spec.