Today I wanted to get one of my rear tires repaired (it leaks slowly all the time), but the shop guys wouldn't do it because it was totally worn (no tread) on the inside (because of liability reasons)... come to think of it, it always looked like it had way too much negative camber for a rear tire (but just on that left rear tire).

But can they even adjust rear camber on a stock FC's suspension? I thought you had to have an adjustable rear camber link to do that... unless that's just applying to lowered FC's (I don't think it's lowered unless the springs are just sagging). If they weren't able to fix it, that means the next tire is gonna end up just as worn...

Also, I had been kind of annoyed at the bit of slack that's in my steering response. I noticed just a while ago that when I turn the wheel when the car is off, every little input I give to the steering wheel DOES turn the wheel about the same amount, I think it's just the tires that have that compliance in them... So I guess it's time for some new tires... lol

On another note, if I wiggle the steering wheel just a little bit, but quickly, I notice that it still makes sort of a metallic clink every once in a wheel.

Does anyone know whether that would just be a normal sound it makes because I'm dicking around, or whether that would indicate toe rod wear or something?

Otherwise, the steering seems to be fine, since the wheels themself respond just find to the slightest touch, it's simply that the tires are too pliable.

 

sounds like your car is totally stock. i would guess you're tires are wearing in the back because your toe control bushings are shot. this would allow the wheel to point different directions, especially under load. toe actually kills tires faster/easier than camber, and if your car isnt even lowered, im sure camber has nothing to do with it.
i highly recommend installing the toe control bushing from mazdatrix or racing beat (same product, same price). they're ~40 bucks and can only do you good.
you might as well get an alignment after that too if the cost isnt a problem (old cars get out of line with age).
the clinking in the steering is most likely the outer ball joints. try raising the car up, and have a friend jerk the wheel back and forth while you lie underneath and look at the steering rack. see if you can tell where the noise comes from.

 

Already got the alignment today... I just hope that they actually fixed the negative camber in the rear left tire (I mean, over an inch worth of tread was GONE).

It still looks like I've got at least 1-2 degrees of negative rear camber on the rear though...

 

The only alignment number that's adjustable on a stock car is toe. Sagging springs will cause more camber, and on a car as old as the FC it's a real possibility that they've sagged enough to make it a problem. The click on the steering is likely worn inner tie rods. Also try seing if the rack bushings are ok and that they're clamped down firmly.

 

That's what I thought...

I don't think the clicking is a problem as it's just a tiny sound that only happens when I'm facking with the steering anyway, plus I can only hear it if I get out of the car.

I've been meaning to check the bolts that hold the rack down, although I'm 99% sure they're fine (I haven't had a chance to get under my car to work on it lately).

Time for some better tires... I guess I'll get them as soon as I come home, since my dad has a friend who will give us good deals on tires (we just put Pirelli's on my mom's crappy mini van, so I assume they're very good deals).

I plan on getting BFG G-Force Sports. As far as I see it, any more tire than that is a waste, on the tiny stock rims (for the better steering response and looks of a 17" rim, plus the extra width... there are more tires available in 17" anyway).

 

If you're looking to get something in the BFG G-Force Sport range, then I'd reccomend you get Kumho SPT's instead. They're in the same class, both have wear ratings of 320 and 340, not really enough to make much of a difference in lifespan, but the Kumho's are cheaper, offsetting any reduced lifespan (if any). In the Tire Rack tests the SPT's outperformed the BFG's in the sams size on the same car (in different tests though) in every test except for braking, where the BFG was slightly better. I've got SPT's and I'm very happy with them.

 

Those Kumho's don't come in 205/60/15. And for that matter, the BFG's are on sale, at least at Tire Rack, so they're not any more expensive than Kumho's of similar size.

Plus I don't think my dad's friend sells Kumho...