you might try the Honda board instead, most of the people here couldn't give you good advice of an RX-8 issue let alone a Honda ...

 

Try http://www.spcperformance.com for alignment products. They have a variety of solutions available for your Civic. Virtually any alignment shop is hooked into their products. The quality is good; they are an OE supplier to domestics.

It's really impossible to guess what might be the issue without getting one's hands on your car and being able to inspect it, measure, etc. I once solved a problem that the local BMW dealer couldn't straighten out with three alignments just by checking tire pressures. Not to prove how smart I am, just the people you have looking at it may not be looking at the right thing.

One degree more negative camber than spec doesn't seem like it should cause that kind of wear at the rate you're seeing if everything else was in line.

Also, what TeamRX8 said. http://www.honda-tech.com/

 

To her defense, given the DIY jobs on civics that run rampant throughout the US, I wouldn't trust anyone on a Honda forum any further than I could throw them.



**EDIT:
I won't lie - 90% of all of my car knowledge came from the Gran Turismo games, so feel free to flame me like I'm a moron if I've assumed something incorrect here...


Whenever you take your car into a place for regular maintenance, like a Minikie or the dealership, they always say they'll inspect and fix your alignment. That left me with the impression that all cars had adjustable (although severly limited) suspensions.
I remember once, when I was in my early teens, my dad accidentally curbing his Thunderbird, which resulted in much griping about how the car was now pulling to one side. He took it to a Sears autocenter, and they did "alignment work" on the car, and it no longer pulled to the side. The fix was relatively cheap (I think 90% of the cost was labor), so I figured all it took was the tighening/loosening of a few bolts and whatnot by the tire that was curbed.
If this really is the case with suspensions, can't these autoshops do something to help straighten these tires out just a little?? The pictures don't do this car justice. I've seen it first hand.
Here's how I'd describe what it looks like from the front:

/====\

The camber angle is attrocious. There's no question that the suspension is severely damaged, probably beyond repair. Regardless, is there really NOTHING that can be adjusted to straighten the tires out just a *bit*?

 

Like I said kinetic, I haven't had it check out in over 2 years, and the problem has gotten much worse since then. As in new tires every month instead of new tires every year. I plan on going home and taking it in somewhere to get it looked at, maybe today. I'll let you know what I find.

 

no there are a great deal of cars that have no suspension adjustability beyond toe in or out. That is why the RX-8 having as much adjustability as it does from the factory is so impressive these days. Other cars in its class such as the 350Z do not have adjustable camber and castor from the factory. They have to add aftermarket parts to attain such adjustability.

 

That's because the cars you're talking about use strut suspensions like the E36 M3. But that's not necessarily a disadvantage. I would rather add camber plates and run -.5 on the street to save tires and be able to kick it over to -3.5 at the track, that way you get the best of most worlds.

As far as the OP goes if you have 2+ degrees of positive camber in the front of a civic something is bent in your suspension/frame. For 1700 I wouldn't even waste time or money trying to fix it, just go find another civic or something.

 

yes...strut suspension...like the 350z that i used as an example

 

If i knew what your alignment specs were, I could easily see where your problem is. But since you say that it has been progressively getting worse, you should check out your bushings. You dont have to necessarily get stock either, sometimes the bushings from Energy Suspension is cheaper.

As mentioned before, you may also have a bent control arm. Bad wheel bearings are another annoying thing to check for. If your bearings are bad, you can drive away from an alignment shop with "good" numbers, but your wheel will "wobble" slightly and cause excessive tire wear. Tires will wear super fast if you have a combination of problems (incorrect tire pressure, excessive camber, and excessive toe) which sounds like your issue.

Now for your remedy. If your camber needs adjustment, buy the Upper Control replacements from Skunk2. They are cheaper than SPC Performance, and better because it replaces the whole arm (Retail is $225 I believe). As for toe, your car should be factory-equipped with ample adjustment range for that. If not, then something is definitely bent/broken. Again check for worn bushings! Alignment technicians shouldnt even try to do an alignment if the bushings are worn out.

I feel like I forgot something.......oh well....

 

Ok, took her in today for multiple reasons: the alignment AND brakes started going out. They only took about 5 minutes to check it out, because I told them I didn't want any work done today. They definately didn't take the time to bust out their machine to measure my camber angle, but kinetic can vouch that they said it was pretty damn bad.

Alignment: My left spindle is really bent, probably from some time I hopped a curb or something. The right also needs replacing ($60-70 apiece from a junkyard). The tech said that alone probably wouldn't fix it, and that I should also go ahead and get a camber kit ($60). He's unsure if both those combined would solve my problem completely, but it would probably make it a hell of a lot better.

Brakes: Master cylinder leak ($150 new).

(All prices don't include labor, I'd probably do what I can myself and get a mechanically inclined friend to do the rest)

Thing is, with 218000 miles on my car, I'm REALLY hesitant to put any money into it. Obviously the cylinder is going to have to be replaced, but I don't want to do much more than that.

What I also haven't mentioned is that I'm looking for a motorcycle to get me around, so I can stop using my car so much. Something small for around $1800, 250 - 500 cc. I got extra money with my student loan specifically for this purpose (don't tell ). Thing is, loan doesn't get into my bank account until August 21st, and I have to drive my piece everywhere until then. I don't know how long she'll last. Any advice? See something I'm missing?

Oh FYI: I'm completely broke right now, and can't even afford to get my brakes fixed. I'm supposed to start training for a full time job on Tuesday or Wednesday of next week, but until then I'm SOL.

PS: If you find a bike with the above specs in the Houston/College Station area, definately let me know.

 

pps: Also asked if he thought the springs were bound. He said he didn't look. And he looked a little pissy, so I didn't push it.

 

I guess if you really don't want to put any money into it, dont. You going to completely go through those tires before the middle/end of august? If you can get by untiil then and you are going to ditch it after that then just keep riding out what you have. As far as the brake booster you may be able to get on a civic forum and find someone parting out a car or find one in a junk yard so that your car isnt a death trap over the next month or so.

ps the springs looked ok in those individual shots you posted.

pps marry me?

 

If I don't drive anywhere far, just use my car to get around College Station.... yea they'll last until August.

And I'm going to start calling part shops now, but.... the lack of money means I'm fucked for a little while. I gotta drive the death trap for a few days until I get my first paycheck and do my best working the E-brake. O.o

I don't forsee this ending well. Maybe I'll cave in and ask someone for money.

ps. 20 is too young to marry. Ask later