MR2 friend tire wear issues... help? - F-Body Road Racing and Autocross Forums

My friend has a 1991 Toyota MR2 (the second gen, slightly larger and not boxy) version. He has very bad tire wear problems, he is using up rear tires at 3 times the rate of front tires. He can't get more than 5k miles or so. The car orginally came with 14 or 15 inch by 5.5 or 6 inch wheels. He has 16 x 7 inch wheels now. He has the tires inflated to about 38 psi, but his tires show maximum wear on the inner edge, medium wear on the outer edge, and the least wear in the center.
We've both speculated that maybe there is a lot of negative camber in the rear. But we are confused by how the outer edges are worn so much more than the center, given that 38 psi seems awfully high of a pressure for the tire. When I look at his car, it does not *appear* to be overly cambered in the back (but we have not measured it yet). There are no modifications to the suspension.
My friend does NOT autocross, road race, or drag race the car. He does a good amount of 'spirited backroad driving' but I wouldn't consider it to be at 8/10ths or more.
Anybody have any suggestions or know someone that might know more about this problem or how to solve it?

Thanks, Chris

SuperMacGuy View Member Profile	Apr 30 2006, 12:00 AM Post #1
Experienced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 1,019 Joined: 18-September 04 From: State College, PA Member No.: 462	My friend has a 1991 Toyota MR2 (the second gen, slightly larger and not boxy) version. He has very bad tire wear problems, he is using up rear tires at 3 times the rate of front tires. He can't get more than 5k miles or so. The car orginally came with 14 or 15 inch by 5.5 or 6 inch wheels. He has 16 x 7 inch wheels now. He has the tires inflated to about 38 psi, but his tires show maximum wear on the inner edge, medium wear on the outer edge, and the least wear in the center. We've both speculated that maybe there is a lot of negative camber in the rear. But we are confused by how the outer edges are worn so much more than the center, given that 38 psi seems awfully high of a pressure for the tire. When I look at his car, it does not appear to be overly cambered in the back (but we have not measured it yet). There are no modifications to the suspension. My friend does NOT autocross, road race, or drag race the car. He does a good amount of 'spirited backroad driving' but I wouldn't consider it to be at 8/10ths or more. Anybody have any suggestions or know someone that might know more about this problem or how to solve it? Thanks, Chris