I just ruined a second set of front tires on my '08TL with stock 17" wheels. When I bought my car about 2 years ago, the front tires looked like it had decent thread. A few months into my ownership I started to get vibration in the steering wheel. I took it to Firestone and the inner threads of the front tires were nearly gone. I had them do an alignment and set the front to 0 toe. I thought I have my tire issues solved. I put on a used set of 18" A-spec wheels which I bought a few months back and starting to notice inside wear. I went back to Firestone and they checked the alignment again and everything was fine. He said the only thing I can do is buy aftermarket shock and springs with camber adjustment. As far as I know my car hasn't been in an accident. I am now flipping my front tires to even out the inside and outside thread. Is my TL the only one with front tire wear problems? My rear tires wear evenly. What can I do to fix this problem.
TIA
Tom

 

How about posting the alignment specs?

 

Either other aspects of the alignment are out of whack, or you have a failing part within the front-end.

 

here are my specs after the last alignment. All in degrees.


left front right front camber -0.40 -0.62 caster 2.39 3.01 toe 0.02 0.03



left rear right rear camber -1.55 -1.69 toe 0.02 0.00

 

Sounds like you have bad control arm bushings! Bad struts would cause cupping and not excessive wear. Wear like that is caused by TOE of alignment or your caster being very high, which it isn't.

 

In my case, my front inner tire wear was caused by either bad end links or outer tie rods. Not sure because I replaced at same time.

 

Old as dirt thread, I know but noticed the OP received advice from a Firestone shop:

"He said the only thing I can do is buy aftermarket shock and springs with camber adjustment. "

Shows how well that person understands the suspension on Honda/Acura's We have coil over shocks and as a result, they do not impact camber adjustment like a Macpherson Strut front suspension would. So many people do not understand the difference.

 

Drop the TL with aftermarket shocks/springs and you'll see the camber go way out, neg.
Doesn't matter whether shocks or struts, if the suspension is changed e.g. lowered, the camber will change.

 

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So true if you are indeed lowering. However:

The OP and the rep at Firestone did not mention dropping or lowering at all. I have lowered plenty of cars and understand geometry. I have also replaced aftermarket shocks and springs with aftermarket that retain original ride height for various reasons.

Maybe I'm wrong but it seemed to me that the rep was implying a strut mount with Caster Camber Plates on top. And thought it to be funny.

No matter...this post is water under the bridge.