Hello,

I've noticed that the inner shoulder of both rear tires of my stock 2001 4Runner 2WD are wearing faster than the rest. I haven't had any accidents and can't figure out why both tires would be wearing similarly uneven.

It seems to me that the negative camber is excessive on both rear tires. Is this common on an unmodified 4Runner? Would new rear springs straighten out the tires?

Any ideas?
Thanks
Jay

 

Get an alignment and check your balance on the tires.

 

I second Lance's suggestion on getting an alignmnet done. When I had my 2" Cornfeds put on, I had camber like this: \ / . Go get the alignment done at a trusted and reputable shop and have them adjust the camber and caster and you should be good to go!

 

Ooh... I need to do that!
Goodyear has a lifetime alignment for just under $200
Haven't looked into Sears yet.

 

When I lifted my 97 runner I purchased a lifetime alingnment over at firestone here in hawaii for about $145, and balancing/ rotation for $45. Since then I have been there once every month and half. to do alingment and rotation/ balance. Every time I go in everything is off. Damn these pot holes in hawaii. I must have gotten alimment 5 times in the past half year. Its worth it to drop that large chunck of change up front.

 

Sooooo How do they adjust the alignment on the rear?

 

You cant.Were the tires on the front for a while and then rotated?While you cant adjust the rear ,a four wheel aligment will show if there is a problem.

 

I've got to admit that I have been forgetful about rotating the tires. These tires have been on the back for a long time. It seems odd that the alignment on both rear tires is out exactly the same.

 

You have a solid rear axle. It is almost impossible to have any camber, positive or negative. Look under your truck. See how things work. The axle tube does not flex. If your axle was slightly misaligned, you would see more wear on the outside of one tire and on the inside of the other.
My only guess is that the tires spent some time on the front of your truck, where wear patterns will show up.

Andreas

 

That's the odd thing. The tires have been on the back for the past 35,000 miles. Is it possible that I am noticing a tiny amount of built in camber because the tires have not been rotated in so long?

 

Maybe it's your driving conditions?

 

I would say driving habits more then conditions do you spend alot of time accelerating around corners?

 

Again, by design, there is no adjustability of camber with respect to the rear axle. It is a rigid steel axle housing that does not flex (should not). So there is also really no chance of any 'built-in' camber. Read up about suspension alighnments, and you'll learn the definitions of camber, caster, and toe. Then you'll see that these measurements do not apply to the rear axle of our 4Runners.

Andreas