jim beam wrote:
> Dustbucket wrote:
>
>> The front tires on my 1994 Civic EX coupe are wearing unevenly. The
>> inside edge (2-3") of both tires has worn down almost to the belt.
>> I'll be getting new tires and a 4-wheel alignment in a couple of days.
>> However, I'd like to be a bit more informed about what might be causing
>> the problem, and be prepared if the alignment guy says I need major
>> suspension work.
>>
>> So, any ideas what might be causing the problem? And, if I can't get
>> the alignment done at the place I buy the tires, should i get the
>> alignment or the new tires first?
>>
>> details: tires have been properly inflated for the most part, no work
>> done to the front end recently (save for new front brakes), no hitting
>> of curbs or major potholes recently, first time this car is having an
>> alignment done.
>>
> from what i've seen, your generation of civic doesn't

DOES have a higher frequency... spell checker error. sorry!

> have a higher
> frequency of busting out the lower wishbone bushings. if that's
> happened, your toe will be off, hence your tire wear. get under the car
> and check the bushings where the wishbone attatches to the body. it's
> pointless replacing tires & adjusting alignment if the bushings are gone.
>
> bushing replacement is usually done by replacing the whole suspension
> arm, but if you google this group, you should find the bushing part
> numbers if you have access to the right tools and the desire to save a
> few bucks.
>
> if the bushings are ok, just replace the tires & have an alignment done.
> you should be fine. beware, most shops i've been to are not very good
> at getting it right first time on hondas - the rear always seems to
> confuse them, [and on a honda, the rear is critical]. make sure you get
> a warranty on the alignment work and keep taking it back if the tires
> show /any/ signs of uneven wear. you can tell by looking at the run
> line on the tread at the shoulder. it should be in the same place
> relative to the same tread features on both sides of the tire.
>