On 11/25/05 6:03 PM, in article
jason-2511051603060001@pm1-broad-126...dialup.fix.net, "Jason"
<jason@nospam.com> wrote:

> In article <zeNhf.5319$N45.4737@newsread1.news.atl.earthlink. net>, "Elle"
> <honda.lioness@nospamearthlink.net> wrote:
>
>> I am pretty sure only the toe of the front suspension can be adjusted on the
>> 94 Civic (as well as most other Civics). If camber or caster (the only other
>> two alignment settings) are off, then a suspension part is bent, worn, or
>> damaged. You can google and find many web sites that discuss toe, camber,
>> and caster and how their being out-of-spec may affect tire wear. For
>> example:
>>
>> http://www.procarcare.com/includes/c...clopedia/ch25/
>> 25readtirewear.html
>> (notice that this site says inner tire wear indicates out-of-spec camber)
>>
>> Does anyone else drive the car? If so, could they have hit something?
>>
>> Keep checking back for input here, but I would feel very confident ordering
>> only a front alignment. If the shop is worth its salt, it will take a few
>> minutes and see if anything is obviously amiss with the rear suspension.
>>
>> Get the new tires first, then have the alignment done.
>>
>> For an overview of your Honda's suspension, steering, and alignment, go to
>> www.autozone.com . On the left, click on "Repair Info," then "Vehicle Repair
>> Guides." Click on car year, make, and model, etc. Go to the section on
>> suspension and steering, etc. The drawings should help you to discuss this
>> with your shop.
>>
>> My 1991 Civic with 172k miles has never had an alignment done. Tire wear is
>> even. I drive pretty conservatively but sometimes on back country roads.
>>
>> I for one would welcome an update on what the shop finds. Good luck.
>>
>> "Dustbucket" <jpk@tidni.com> 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.
>
> Hello,
> This question is for the original poster (OP). Did you buy the car new or
> used. I once heard a story of someone in my home town that purchased a
> used car that appeared to be in perfect condition. He could not keep the
> front wheels in alignment and had to replace the front tires about every 4
> months due to the serious alignment problem. He done some research on the
> car and found out that the former owner had wrecked the car as as result
> the frame of the car was bent. After the person (that wrecked the car) had
> the car repaired, he realized that the frame was bent due to the alignment
> problem. He traded it in on another car. Somehow,the car ended up in my
> hometown. The person placed new tires on front of the car and traded it in
> on another car in a large city near our home town. He warned everyone in
> my hometown not to buy the car.
> Jason

I would say this is an extremely likely scenario. With the advent of
"un-adjustable" suspension angles that seems to be a side-effect of
McPherson strut suspensions, suddenly many cars get this way and nobody
knows how to fix them.

I found an honest frame & alignment shop some years ago when I had a Ford
truck with the twin I beam suspension that had to be bent to correct the
alignment. Every used car I buy goes straight to them as soon as I get it.
Since it is a frame shop, they have the equipment and expertise to do
whatever needs to be done. They can replace parts, adjust whatever is
adjustable, or literally bend it back into spec if necessary. Usually the
bill is less than the tire shop places charge for a simple toe adjustment.

I think everybody should find such a place.

In answer to the other question above:

If you have the alignment done while the old tires are still in place, it
gives the tech a good idea what the problems are just by looking at them.
If you do it this way, make sure to tell them to align it to spec and not to
make any adjustments to compensate for the behavior of the worn tires.

If you wait and have it done after the new tires are on, then it might take
them longer to find all the problems because they won't have the clues from
the old tires about what is going on in the suspension. But with the new
tires in place, they can also make additional adjustments to compensate for
any anomalies in the new tires.