Tires Wearing Excessively

[Joggernot]

I noticed that the inside tread of the front tires have worn down to the wear bar, but the rest of the tire is good.  Did some research on the Internet and learned that it is caused by negative camber.  Did some more research and learned that lowering the car can cause negative camber.

Thinking back, we had the shocks replaced about a year ago and we both noticed that the car seemed to be lower than before replacement.  Ah ha!  Thus the cause of the excessive wear.

Now I need new tires at least on the front and a front end alignment.  Dang.

Beware when doing anything with the front suspension.  You may need an alignment after replacing anything to do with the suspension.

[Jack]

Did you replace the shocks yourself? If not, didn't the shop tell you that you needed an alignment (or insist on doing it as part of the shock replacement)?

I think you probably have cause to go complain to the shop. At the very least, I'd expect you to get back the value of the lost tire tread life.

[BDWW]

Shocks won't affect camber. Did you mean struts perhaps?

On on unmodified car, I'd be more inclined to look at toe-out/in alignment than camber. Perhaps a bad tie-rod end.

[Blatant]

^^ Above is correct. Shock absorbers alone do not affect ride height. Do you have a strut assembly or coilover?