I bought the car with 59K, so I have no idea what if any suspension work has been done on the car ('99 Taurus SE DOHC) prior to my ownership. 111K on the clock now. Struts are still teeth-chattering firm. My driving is in almost entirely straight lines on smooth highways, as the lay of the land is flood-plain flat-as-a-pancake level, so I'm not plowing through hill-country corners in a four-wheel drift if you know what I mean. Not that I wouldn't once in a while, but no opportunity. Also, I ride by myself to work each day, so the car is always empty, including the trunk, so this is not a loaded vehicle issue regarding my tire wear problem. It has pulled a bit to the left for quite a while. I guess I just got used to it and never thought to correct the situation. (Duh!)
So, I have extreme wear on the inner corners of the tires, particularily the fronts. :angry: In fact, if you aren't under the car you'll never see the wear from the outside looking in. The horizontal tread surface is wearing well, no cupping. Tire pressures are usually kept in spec. This is the first car I've ever owned that did this. I stayed up late last night digging through the 'net looking for solid information regarding alignment. Found some good tradesman-level info about alignment, of specific interest was camber adjustment, which would seem to be the culprit in my case, however they suggested that loose or damaged suspension pieces must be eliminated from possibility, as does weak springs, aka. the ride height issue.
I don't want to waste the next set of tires, soon to be purchased. Some of the info I found suggested that some makes of cars cannot have their camber adjusted, but that most can. What about the Taurus? Do any of you know? Have any of you had this experience, and if so what was the solution? Salespeople always ask me about the miles on my car, then want to sell me struts. Absolutely nobody's information online said squat about needing to replace struts to cure strange tire wear. Mine are very firm anyway. Many suggested alignment and verifying ride height, but nothing about paying $600+ for new strut installations.
Let's hear your experiences and opinions friends!
Thanks in advance!
So, I have extreme wear on the inner corners of the tires, particularily the fronts. :angry: In fact, if you aren't under the car you'll never see the wear from the outside looking in. The horizontal tread surface is wearing well, no cupping. Tire pressures are usually kept in spec. This is the first car I've ever owned that did this. I stayed up late last night digging through the 'net looking for solid information regarding alignment. Found some good tradesman-level info about alignment, of specific interest was camber adjustment, which would seem to be the culprit in my case, however they suggested that loose or damaged suspension pieces must be eliminated from possibility, as does weak springs, aka. the ride height issue.
I don't want to waste the next set of tires, soon to be purchased. Some of the info I found suggested that some makes of cars cannot have their camber adjusted, but that most can. What about the Taurus? Do any of you know? Have any of you had this experience, and if so what was the solution? Salespeople always ask me about the miles on my car, then want to sell me struts. Absolutely nobody's information online said squat about needing to replace struts to cure strange tire wear. Mine are very firm anyway. Many suggested alignment and verifying ride height, but nothing about paying $600+ for new strut installations.
Let's hear your experiences and opinions friends!
Thanks in advance!