Miata Mailing List: August 1993, Message #8
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   From: Andy Poling 
Subject: Wheel Alignment
   Date: Mon, 2 Aug 1993 13:09:40 -0400


I meant to post this last week, but forgot to...

I recently discovered that my factory alignment had (nearly terminal for
my new tires) toe-in.  It wasn't really obvious with the original tires
(although in restrospect it might help explain why I was frying the outer
shoulders when autox-ing) but became VERY obvious when I put on stickier
wider tires.  I studied my quickly deteriorating tires and determined that
I had excessive toe-in.  After adding 1.5 turns of toe-out to each side
(really precise measurement system, eh) it behaves a great deal better and
my tires are much happier.  One of these days I'll spring for the gear to
allow me to precisely measure what I've done adjustment-wise.

Moral of the story:  I would recommend that anyone who has not had
occasion to check their alignment do so.  Evidently the factory alignment
is somewhat of an oxymoron...  I think maybe someone else mentioned this
a while back - I wish I'da listened.

-Andy

Andy Poling                              Internet: andy@jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu
UNIX Systems Programmer                  Bitnet: ANDY@JHUNIX
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