skipjobe Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 I don't know if this is the proper term. My 74Z is wearing the drivers side rear tire on the inside, I have looked at it on the lift but I don't see any way to adjust the camber. When I put a level on the rear wheels it looks like both rear wheels are 3/4 inch wider at the bottom than the top. Could the springs be getting weak or is there something I should look for. The passenger side shows normal wear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 You most likely need to replace the rear suspension bushings and maybe the rear shocks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skipjobe Posted June 30, 2009 Author Share Posted June 30, 2009 If I had the car on a lift would I be able to feel play if I pushed and pulled on the tire assuming the bushings are bad? The chassis only has 58000 miles on it and 34 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 Ozone and time are very effective rubber bushing killers. FYI... you physically cannot reproduce the forces generated by the rolling chassis at 50 mph. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skipjobe Posted July 1, 2009 Author Share Posted July 1, 2009 OK I will defer to your knowledge and replace both thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhp123166 Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 I am having the same thing on my '76 Z. I have lowering springs from MSA and replaced all the stock rear control arm bushings with urethane about 8 years ago. The camber on the drivers side is about -.35 degrees , but on the passenger side (drive wheel) it is about -1.5 degrees. The strut tower top mounts were replaced as well with used 240 mounts. I wonder how I could rectify this... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 I wonder how I could rectify this... Take a die grinder and oval the three holes in the top of the strut tower. An extra 1/8" each laterally should be enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhp123166 Posted July 2, 2009 Share Posted July 2, 2009 Thanks, but I don't think I'll be taking this advice any time soon. It's probably just the bushings on that side which seem to wear faster so they probably need to be replaced. I could get myself into alot of trouble if I start altering original sheet metal and proceeding without a concrete plan. Lord knows it would not be the first time. Thanks... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowlerMonkey Posted July 2, 2009 Share Posted July 2, 2009 If it wore out the tire quick, I would check the toe. Camber doesn't wear tires out quickly but a toe problem will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Mine Motors Posted July 3, 2009 Share Posted July 3, 2009 Yes i had the same problem for a while. I got hit in my rear wheel and it bent the rear suspention, causing the toe to go off. My tire started wearing out on the inside. i took it to get an alinment and found out the toe was off. Changed the whole suspention( a-arm, strut tube etc.) on that side and the problem was gone. What i'm saying is you might have a bent suspention from hitting a curb in the past or getting hit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skipjobe Posted July 3, 2009 Author Share Posted July 3, 2009 Is the toe adjustable on these cars or must you replace the the worn parts, I sure do not see anything that appears adjustable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Mileski Posted July 3, 2009 Share Posted July 3, 2009 Nope, toe on the rear is not adjustable with the stock suspension. Mike Mileski Tucson, AZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saxfiend1967 Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 I would seriously look at springs too. they dont have a heavy spring in them to begin with and with age like all of us we get weaker he he. If I am correct the factory springs are rated at only 100 lbs eibachs are progressive and go from 85 open to 300 within 4 inches if the springs are weak it will affect toe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LowCarbZ Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 I had the same issue. All the rear mounting hardware for the suspension was worn or seized (or close to it) and was failing to allow the suspension to travel. Combine that with some tired rear shocks and it'll chew through tires fairly quickly. Some new shocks, bushing and hardware througout the rear end components and it's been much, much better the last couple thousand miles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skipjobe Posted July 5, 2009 Author Share Posted July 5, 2009 lowcarbz what did the parts cost to rebuild? Shocks, bushings, and exactly what hardware? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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