I just noticed tonight on leaving work because I was parked on a downhill slope that my rear wheels are slightly 'toed-out'.

Is this normal? it looked like an old Triumph 2000 (for the ancients amongst us). It seems to drive fine, and I haven't noticed any differences in tyre wear recently.

Should I be concerned ?

Any sensible answers would be appreciated ( humorous ones regarding my lack of mechanical knowledge tolerated)

Cheers, Graham

optical illusion ?

Curvature of the Earth ?

optical illusion ?

Nope, definately toed out, doubled checked twice (is that quadruple checked?) Still looks odd :confused:

Graham, is it the same on the flat ?

Yes , but not as noticable.

Standard suspension, normal wheels and tyres, over enthusiastic driving sometimes!!

do you mean the front of the rear wheels is toeing out or the rear of the rear wheels is toeing out ? in which case that would mean you've got toe in , i'm confused

With no change in the tyre wear, drivng attitude of the car etc, I wouldn't worry. If in doubt tomorrow and it's on your mind, get a dealer to check the alignment.

do you mean the front of the rear wheels is toeing out or the rear of the rear wheels is toeing out ? in which case that would mean you've got toe in , i'm confused

Eh ? I would be as well !

do you mean the front of the rear wheels is toeing out or the rear of the rear wheels is toeing out ? in which case that would mean you've got toe in , i'm confused

No, I may have confused things with my description, The bottom of the wheels appear/are further out than the top of the wheel.

By at least 3/4 of an inch on a downhill gradient, less on the level.

negative camber mate, which is a good thing for handling

I'll have a check in the daylight tomorrow

negative camber mate, which is a good thing for handling

Thanks all for the errrm help! I meant negative camber all along !!

it just seems slightly excessive, although since the strut brace was fitted I have been 'testing' the handling more and find that such a cheap mod. has made a LOT of difference, and if it appears that the rear arb bushes are shot ( it could be a possibilty ) I shall remove said strut brace and claim on warranty !!

i wouldn't of thought that any thing worn on the rear would a difference to the negative camber as the rear beam is a solid bit of steel , only t##ting a kerb could bend it to knock the camber out .

Oh Good Grief,

I am free on Saturday:_

Anybody reasonably local, who has any mechanical knowledge , or any sense who fancies a pint and a look at my bloody car on a slope and can give me some sensible idea on where to go with this unproblem either post some ideas or pm me! At the moment my car is outside, and I am outside of a bottle of wine !!

A little negative camber is normal mate. Take a photo for us, so we can all cast our "expert" eyes over your rear end.

Indeed, when the car is not under load a little negative camber is normal.

When the car is under load, i.e. someone or something heavy in the rear, or (more commonly on rear wheel drive cars) when accelerating hard and with the rear 'squatting' the negative camber angle will increase slightly (alot on rear wheel drives), the angle will also increase slightly on hard cornering, where the suspension is compressed on one side, and keep the tyre's surface flat on the ground relative the angle of lean in the car.

So, if the car is parked on a slope facing downhill, the handbrake can cause the rear to 'squat' a little, and hence increase the angle of the negative camber slightly, if you park facing uphill, you should fing the opposite to be true.

HTH.

Mine has negative camber on the back... Nothing to worry about!

Makes it corner well... I've not noticed any increased tyre wear and as it's not something that can be adjusted, it's obviously just meant to be like that,

Better than sitting like a Triumph Herald Graham....

Get rid and buy a Renault Megane. They sit beautifully on their rear wheels!!

Thanks for all the non advice on my non problem!

After a cack day at work I decided to drink too much and became slightly paranoid !

I have now got to do it all again! I will see if I can imagine something else is wrong for tonight