Camber question? help?

[gstspyder1998]

Well I got my car aligned this weekend and I was told that the toe and caster was adjustable to factory specs however they said that I need cambers for the front and rear tires.

They told me that the left and right fronts are -1 and the rear tires are -2 and -2.25. The mechanic said that having a -2 camber for the rear will eat up my tires. I was searching the threads and I found this: http://dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137773&highlight=negative+camber

Can I assume that my current camber settings are find and that the place where I got my alignment was just BSing me so I could buy their camber kit? They quoted me $300 to install the front cambers which came with Specialty Products (kits) cambers and $130 for the rear camber kit. That's $430.00 not including tax. Can someone please confirm if I do need cambers or if I can leave this current setting.

 

[wret]

Here's a thread where I had to put my foot in my mouth. Don't worry, it's back out now.
http://dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=134706&highlight=front+rear+camber

 

[cuttheduck]

Your fronts are okay.
The rear I would spend the 10-20 bucks and buy some bolts and washers and follow the homemade rear camber kit Vfaq. Very easy problem to solve if you have a ratchet , a 14 mm socket, and 10 minutes..

 

[gstspyder1998]

I have done the home made camber for the rear and I still have -2 and -2.25 on the rear. I added 4 washers on each corner, maybe I should increase it to 6 washers or more. Any one have any thoughts?

 

[jtmcinder]

Whether or not 2 degrees will eat your tires completely depends on toe. If they set the rear to the factory-specified amount of toe-in, then your tires will suffer. If you asked for (and received) zero rear toe, then your tires will be fine.

But your car would handle better if you dropped the rear camber to 1 degree. And rather that mess around with things like the number of washers - since I have no idea how thick your washers are - why not do a little math and get it right the first time?

To bring 2.25 degrees down to 1 degree, you need .52" more of washers. To bring 2 degrees down to 1 degree, you need .42" more washers.

Where am I getting these numbers? (Out of my butt! Just kidding.) The height of the rear knuckle is about 24". So, since tan X = washers/24", tan X times 24" = washers. So, if you want to delete 1.25 degrees, tan 1.25 = .0218. Multiple by 24" to get .52". Do the same for the other side, only using tan 1.

- Jtoby

ps. If you have already spaced out your rear upper arms and still have 2 degrees, then your car is too low, but that's another story.