SOS Mechanic Certification Practice Exam

Excessive negative camber causes the tires to tilt inward at the top when viewed from the front of the vehicle. This alignment affects how the tire makes contact with the road surface. When there is too much negative camber, the outer edge of the tire bears most of the load during driving, particularly when cornering. As a result, this uneven weight distribution accelerates wear on the outer edge of the tire, leading to excessive tread wear in that area.

This phenomenon occurs because, rather than distributing the weight evenly across the tread, the excessive tilt skews contact toward the outer side, causing increased friction and heat. Over time, this will lead to premature tire replacement and impact handling characteristics adversely. Understanding negative camber is crucial for mechanics and drivers alike, as it influences overall vehicle performance and tire longevity.