Boxster S Rear Camber

[2000GotBoxS]

Hey Folks,

 

I have a 2000 Boxster S and I have 19" wheels on it and I run 275/30zr19 tires on the rear.  The last couple of times that I purchased tires I have gone thru them extremely fast.  The Michelins that I bought only lasted about 7000 miles, and this last set about 9000 miles.  It's really killing me.

 

I get a four wheel alignment every time and they set the rear camber within the so-called Porsche Specs (according to the tire shop) which they say the rear camber specs are supposed to be between -1.8°  &  -.8°.  The alignment tech said that he couldn't adjust the camber angle anymore but, he was within spec at -1.7° on the right and -1.8° on the driver's side rear.    This setting is teetering right on the edge of what they say are Porsche specs for my car and there is a noticeable, to the eye, negative camber at the rear.

 

The car runs great, and tracks well.  The steering and suspension are tight, and it handles absolutely wonderful, but, I am chewing up the insides of these really expensive tires just too fast in my opinion.

 

So, this brings my question.  If the tech is not able to adjust the camber any closer to a neutral setting, what part or parts do I need to replace to allow for the alignment to get closer to -.8° giving less camber to my rear end on both sides?

 

Thanks guys, I appreciate any and all insight into my problem here,  

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

 

Brian

[mikefocke]

Might look at this post in this thread. I searched "camber".. There may be more but at l3east that gives you some other search terms to use to see if there have been previous threads.

 

Edited December 25, 2019 by mikefocke

[2000GotBoxS]

1 hour ago, mikefocke said:

Might look at this post in this thread. I searched "camber".. There may be more but at l3east that gives you some other search terms to use to see if there have been previous threads.

 

Thanks Mike, that kind of went into what I'm dealing with.  But, wasn't very specific.  I think I need new upper control arms, but, I just don't know the whole geometry of the rear suspension either.  That's also kind of what I am looking for.   Looking at the numbers from the alignment tech, is there anything that can be adjusted to stop these tires from wearing out so **** fast.

Also, being on a pretty strict budget right now (some health issues that have cut into my business), replacing the whole rear suspension just isn't in the cards right now.

I'll do some more looking around though.  I thought I had searched everything, but, I missed this one, so, I thank you for bringing it to my attention.

 

B

[mikefocke]

See if instead of finding a generic alignment shop you can find one that sets up Porsches for racing. Meaning you find the head mechanic himself races and there are two cars with all the badging and roll-bars sitting in or just outside the shop.

 

There is a difference between a generic "within specs" alignment and one done by someone who has intimate knowledge of what effect each adjustment has on handling and wear. I got a wear biased alignment that way that made my tires last and last.

[2000GotBoxS]

6 hours ago, mikefocke said:

See if instead of finding a generic alignment shop you can find one that sets up Porsches for racing. Meaning you find the head mechanic himself races and there are two cars with all the badging and roll-bars sitting in or just outside the shop.

 

There is a difference between a generic "within specs" alignment and one done by someone who has intimate knowledge of what effect each adjustment has on handling and wear. I got a wear biased alignment that way that made my tires last and last.

 

That's exactly what I need Mike.  I haven't a clue whether or not those numbers are even correct, and I haven't been able to get my rear tires to last any longer than 12k miles.  That really sucks when you're putting Michelins on there.  They cost a fortune.  When I looked closely at the printout they gave me, it says "except USA cars' so, I don't even know if those numbers are correct.

 

It just doesn't make sense to me that the wear patterns are this bad.  The first Boxster that I had I was able to get twice the miles out of the tires.

 

Mike, you wouldn't happen to have the printout from your last four wheel alignment, would you?

 

Thanks,

 

B

[mikefocke]

I neither have any records nor is that shop still in business. I stumbled on them via an online recommendation and when I wandered in and saw what was in their shop my jaw dropped.  I got the alignment and then found a set of take off wheels and rims from a dealer in a very posh neighborhood. Sold my rims and I think my cost after everything for a set of Michelins was less than $400. They lasted so long I eventually replaced them for age reasons, not wear. After they had done my PPI, all the corrective work I wanted done etc the owner of the shop received an inheritance and quit the business.

 

My specs wouldn't be good for you anyway as my wheels were 17"s and yours IIRC are 19"s. I do remember before the alignment the mechanic road tested the car (he drove a bit more vigorously than I did) and after the alignment the mechanic thoroughly road tested the car and then came back and rechecked the numbers. I don't think this was his first rodeo.