Uneven tire wear on '99 Catera

lovemycatera · #1 (**permalink**) 05-04-09, 08:00 PM

Anyone have tires wearing on the outside 1/4 inch of tires? Alignment has not helped.

elvin315 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-04-09, 10:19 PM

Front, rear, or all four? Without knowing I'll guess worn torn suspension bushings.

lovemycatera · #3 (**permalink**) 05-05-09, 01:11 AM

My mistake, the rear tires wear about an inch width on the INSIDE!
We have been told that there is no camber adjustment on the rear tires.

tpilews · #4 (**permalink**) 05-14-09, 09:21 PM

The only thing that I'd suggest is replacing shocks and springs in the rear. Over time the springs will compress and will throw the alignment out of whack. Returning your ride height to stock should take care of the problem, and the inability to adjust the rear camber. I'm surprised you don't have a problem with the fronts as well, unless you've gotten an alignment.

elvin315 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-14-09, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tpilews

The only thing that I'd suggest is replacing shocks and springs in the rear. Over time the springs will compress and will throw the alignment out of whack. Returning your ride height to stock should take care of the problem, and the inability to adjust the rear camber.

I'd take it one step further. There are adjustable rear control arm bushings that will allow you to change the camber. They are for the 2004 GTO and fit the Catera perfectly. This is the fix for inner tire wear. Even if you decide against the adjustable ones I'd replace the bushings with fresh OEM ones. As the old ones wear and age they change the camber and toe-in. New bushings will at least bring the rear back to spec. Polyurethane bushings are firmer and last longer than the stock rubber ones.

RockAuto.com
ACDELCO Part # 45G9329 {#19187194}
BUSHING, REAR OEM Replacement
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php

Whiteline Rear Suspension Bushing: part # KCA384 (polyurethane/eccentric)
http://www.globalperformanceparts.com
Provides a camber adjustment range of +/-1.0 degree from base settings
For outer position only.

SuperPro Rear Suspension Bushing: (polyurethane/eccentric)
# SPF0877K - Inner & Outer Bushing Kit for camber & toe-in adjustments
# SPF0877TK - Outer Kit for camber only
http://www.globalpartssource.com
Provides a camber adjustment range of +/-1.0 degree from base settings.

Pedders Suspensions - GTO IRS Bushing (polyurethane)
GTO IRS Inner & Outer Lower Arm Urethane Bush #EP7023
http://www.peddersusa.com/Solution_GTO.htm
Non-adjustable bushing for inner and/or outer positions

Pedders Suspensions - Rear Camber Eccentric (polyurethane/eccentric)
GTO Rear Camber Kit #5403
http://www.peddersusa.com/Solution_GTO.htm
for outer position only

lovemycatera · #6 (**permalink**) 06-16-09, 01:50 PM

Thank you Elvin315. You helped us immensely. Would that also apply to the front control arm bushings?
The links you posted were very helpful.
Thanks again.

elvin315 · #7 (**permalink**) 06-16-09, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovemycatera

Thank you Elvin315. You helped us immensely. Would that also apply to the front control arm bushings?
The links you posted were very helpful.
Thanks again.

The Catera's front control arm bushings are prone to tearing either from wear & tear or improper installation. When they tear the wheels lose alignment (both camber and toe-in) and tire wear increases. An Omega owner, Bob Chen, found bushings from the 1989-1995 BMW M5 (E34) use a harder rubber yet resist tearing better. They replace the Catera's front/horizontal control arm bushings. He uses them in his Omega. Being firmer the bushings also improve the Catera's handling response.

While the rubber M5 bushing is an improvement over stock, polyurethane bushings are better if you also want to improve handling. There are polyurethane bushings for the M5 which will fit in place of the Catera's front/horizontal control arm bushing. Rubber bushings flex and compress during braking, and in response to steering inputs. Polyurethane bushings don't compress as much as rubber ones. With poly-bushings the car responds almost instantly.

Polyurethane bushings resist tearing. They also reduce the effort needed to pivot the control arms when the wheels encounter roughness. Poly-bushings also hold their characteristics much longer than rubber bushings, greatly reducing maintenance and holding alignment much better during cornering, and when braking loads are applied. Two problems. They allow more road noise & vibrations to reach the occupants, and there are no polyurethane replacements for the rear/vertical control arm bushings.

The Catera & Omega use a unique rear/vertical bushing in the front control arm. Inside it is a ball-joint like insert, lubricated by silicone fluid, that pivots under braking. This specially calibrated bushing improves control by causing a level of toe-in to occur at the wheels under heavy braking. This toe angle change at each wheel improves control when braking in patchy conditions (dry pavement one side and water/ice on the other). So far there are no alternatives to stock.

An alternative to pressing the bushings off the control arms is to replace the control arms themselves. Replacements come with new stock bushings installed as well as new ball joints. This saves the time and cost of buying the bushings and ball joint plus the time and labor to have them installed on the control arms. It's not cheap. It's more expensive but it is quicker. If time is money to you then it might be worth it.

The Camber Adjustment Bolt increases the range of adjustment over the stock bolt. Helps fine tune the alignment of the front wheels.

Front Suspension Bushings

Ingalls Engineering Camber Adjusting Bolt: part # IEC-I-81260
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...D81260&FROM=MG
Eccentric bolts to increase camber range for the front suspension alignment.

Meyle Bushings BMW E34/M5 HD Bushings: part # 31121136607MY
http://www.germanautosalvage.com/services4.html
Heavy Duty rubber front horizontal BMW/M5 bushing for Omega/Catera.

Korman Autoworks:
BMW M5 (E34) Heavy-Duty Thrust Rod Bushings: part # 3112567
http://www.kormanfastbmw.com/m5m6susp.htm
Heavy Duty BMW/M5 bushing for Catera front/horizontal control arm bushing.

MOOG: part # K90137 (1993 BMW/M5 Thrust Arm Bushing)
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php
BMW OE bushing for Catera/Omega front/horizontal bushing.

Bavarian AutoSport:
BMW/M5 Upper Control Arm Bushing: part # : 31 12 2 226 528
http://www.bavauto.com/shop.asp
BMW OE bushing for Catera/Omega front/horizontal bushing.

Bavarian AutoSport: BMW/M5 Upper Control Arm Bushing: part # N81368BAV (POLYURETHANE)
http://www.bavauto.com/shop.asp
Quote: "Our exclusive street performance bushings and mounts are made with a more forgiving urethane formula! During spirited driving, polyurethane bushings and mounts provide more responsive handling and maintain better control over suspension geometry than stock bushings. Along with this improvement in handling, though, comes a stiffer ride -- a welcome side-effect on a smooth race track, but much more noticeable on the streets. Our street performance urethane is formulated with a touch of polyester. This new compound is more forgiving than 100% urethane, so it’s better for street BMWs."

Powerflex BMW E34/M5: part # PFF5-601 (POLYURETHANE)
http://www.powerflex.co.uk/products....y=9&submit1=GO
Polyurethane front horizontal BMW/M5 bushing for Omega/Catera.

ACDELCO Control Arm, Front/Horizontal Bushing OE: Part # 45G9329 {#19187194}
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php

Rear/Vertical Control Arm Bushing OE:
SPICER Control Arm, Rear/Vertical Bushing: Part # 5651329
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php

Front Control Arms - OE Replacements:
SPICER/RAYBESTOS Part # 5071238 {Professional Grade}
Front Suspension; Right Lower; Complete Arm With Bushings and Ball Joint
SPICER/RAYBESTOS Part # 5071237 {Professional Grade}
Front Suspension; Left Lower; Complete Arm With Bushings and Ball Joint
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php

elvin315 · #8 (**permalink**) 06-16-09, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovemycatera

Thank you Elvin315. You helped us immensely. Would that also apply to the front control arm bushings?
The links you posted were very helpful.
Thanks again.

The Catera's front control arm bushings are prone to tearing either from wear & tear or improper installation. When they tear the wheels lose alignment (both camber and toe-in) and tire wear increases. An Omega owner, Bob Chen, found bushings from the 1989-1995 BMW M5 (E34) use a harder rubber yet resist tearing better. They replace the Catera's front/horizontal control arm bushings. He uses them in his Omega. Being firmer the bushings also improve the Catera's handling response.

While the rubber M5 bushing is an improvement over stock, polyurethane bushings are better if you also want to improve handling. There are polyurethane bushings for the M5 which will fit in place of the Catera's front/horizontal control arm bushing. Rubber bushings flex and compress during braking, and in response to steering inputs. Polyurethane bushings don't compress as much as rubber ones. With poly-bushings the car responds almost instantly.

Polyurethane bushings resist tearing. They also reduce the effort needed to pivot the control arms when the wheels encounter roughness. Poly-bushings also hold their characteristics much longer than rubber bushings, greatly reducing maintenance and holding alignment much better during cornering, and when braking loads are applied. Two problems. They allow more road noise & vibrations to reach the occupants, and there are no polyurethane replacements for the rear/vertical control arm bushings.

The Catera & Omega use a unique rear/vertical bushing in the front control arm. Inside it is a ball-joint like insert, lubricated by silicone fluid, that pivots under braking. This specially calibrated bushing improves control by causing a level of toe-in to occur at the wheels under heavy braking. This toe angle change at each wheel improves control when braking in patchy conditions (dry pavement one side and water/ice on the other). So far there are no alternatives to stock.

An alternative to pressing the bushings off the control arms is to replace the control arms themselves. Replacements come with new stock bushings installed as well as new ball joints. This saves the time and cost of buying the bushings and ball joint plus the time and labor to have them installed on the control arms. It's not cheap. It's more expensive but it is quicker. If time is money to you then it might be worth it.

The Camber Adjustment Bolt increases the range of adjustment over the stock bolt. Helps fine tune the alignment of the front wheels.

Front Suspension Bushings

Ingalls Engineering Camber Adjusting Bolt: part # IEC-I-81260
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...D81260&FROM=MG
Eccentric bolts to increase camber range for the front suspension alignment.

Meyle Bushings BMW E34/M5 HD Bushings: part # 31121136607MY
http://www.germanautosalvage.com/services4.html
Heavy Duty rubber front horizontal BMW/M5 bushing for Omega/Catera.

Korman Autoworks:
BMW M5 (E34) Heavy-Duty Thrust Rod Bushings: part # 3112567
http://www.kormanfastbmw.com/m5m6susp.htm
Heavy Duty BMW/M5 bushing for Catera front/horizontal control arm bushing.

MOOG: part # K90137 (1993 BMW/M5 Thrust Arm Bushing)
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php
BMW OE bushing for Catera/Omega front/horizontal bushing.

Bavarian AutoSport:
BMW/M5 Upper Control Arm Bushing: part # : 31 12 2 226 528
http://www.bavauto.com/shop.asp
BMW OE bushing for Catera/Omega front/horizontal bushing.

Bavarian AutoSport: BMW/M5 Upper Control Arm Bushing: part # N81368BAV (POLYURETHANE)
http://www.bavauto.com/shop.asp
Quote: "Our exclusive street performance bushings and mounts are made with a more forgiving urethane formula! During spirited driving, polyurethane bushings and mounts provide more responsive handling and maintain better control over suspension geometry than stock bushings. Along with this improvement in handling, though, comes a stiffer ride -- a welcome side-effect on a smooth race track, but much more noticeable on the streets. Our street performance urethane is formulated with a touch of polyester. This new compound is more forgiving than 100% urethane, so it’s better for street BMWs."

Powerflex BMW E34/M5: part # PFF5-601 (POLYURETHANE)
http://www.powerflex.co.uk/products....y=9&submit1=GO
Polyurethane front horizontal BMW/M5 bushing for Omega/Catera.

ACDELCO Control Arm, Front/Horizontal Bushing OE: Part # 45G9329 {#19187194}
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php

Rear/Vertical Control Arm Bushing OE:
SPICER Control Arm, Rear/Vertical Bushing: Part # 5651329
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php

Front Control Arms - OE Replacements:
SPICER/RAYBESTOS Part # 5071238 {Professional Grade}
Front Suspension; Right Lower; Complete Arm With Bushings and Ball Joint
SPICER/RAYBESTOS Part # 5071237 {Professional Grade}
Front Suspension; Left Lower; Complete Arm With Bushings and Ball Joint
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php

lovemycatera · #9 (**permalink**) 07-07-09, 08:05 PM

This may be a silly question, but how many bushings per wheel do i need to order?
Thanks.

elvin315 · #10 (**permalink**) 07-08-09, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovemycatera

This may be a silly question, but how many bushings per wheel do i need to order?
Thanks.

You need (2 ea.) #2 - front/horizontal bushings, (2 ea.) #3 - rear/vertical bushings, and (2 ea.) #4 - ball joints. One of each for the left and right control arms. Numbers 2, 3, & 4 on the diagram below.

lovemycatera · #11 (**permalink**) 07-11-09, 09:29 PM

Alvin,

You have been such a great help!

Is this diagram for the front or rear axle? Can you give the same information for the other one?

I am really having fun doing this, and am wanting to get it done, so your help is invaluable.

LC

elvin315 · #12 (**permalink**) 07-13-09, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovemycatera

Alvin,

You have been such a great help!

Is this diagram for the front or rear axle? Can you give the same information for the other one?

I am really having fun doing this, and am wanting to get it done, so your help is invaluable.

LC

Call me Alvin again and I won't speak to you. I ain't no Chipmunk.

That was the front suspension. The rear suspension is below.
You'll need (2) #2 - outer bushings and (2) #3 - inner bushings. I suggest the adjustable inner & outer bushing kit from SuperPro. You might as well change both sets and both being adjustable makes it likely to reduce or eliminate the inner tire tread wear.

Cadi Cat · #13 (**permalink**) 07-14-09, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elvin315

Call me Alvin again and I won't speak to you. I ain't no Chipmunk.

That was the front suspension. The rear suspension is below.
You'll need (2) #2 - outer bushings and (2) #3 - inner bushings. I suggest the adjustable inner & outer bushing kit from SuperPro. You might as well change both sets and both being adjustable makes it likely to reduce or eliminate the inner tire tread wear.

where can I find those adjustable bushings for the rear?