Offset upper control arm shafts
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Offset upper control arm shafts
It looks like my front suspension can't quite be adjusted fully.
I currently have only (2) 1/64" shims in the passenger side,
and the camber is still slightly negative. The caster is probably way low, too.
So, I was thinking a spreader bar might help improve the situation.
Then, I was talking to my front end guy this morning. He suggested
using an offset shaft on that side's upper control arm.
I went out looking for these, as I recall seeing them before.
I could not find them at VBP or vansteel or zip.
Does anyone have a link to a vendor with these shafts to increase camber adjustment ?
Thanks in advance ...
I currently have only (2) 1/64" shims in the passenger side,
and the camber is still slightly negative. The caster is probably way low, too.
So, I was thinking a spreader bar might help improve the situation.
Then, I was talking to my front end guy this morning. He suggested
using an offset shaft on that side's upper control arm.
I went out looking for these, as I recall seeing them before.
I could not find them at VBP or vansteel or zip.
Does anyone have a link to a vendor with these shafts to increase camber adjustment ?
Thanks in advance ...
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,651
Likes: 13
From: Holly MI
What alignment specs are you trying to get to? It seems like to increase negative camber and positive castor, you would simply add some shims. The original alignment specs probably called for no camber or even positive camber. But, that was also probably for bias ply tires. Today's tires will work better with some negative camber.
Ken
Ken
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
No - camber is adjusted all the way positive and is still negative by about 1 degree.
With it right against the frame, caster is probably WAY low, too.
Also, my tires are low profile run flats from C5 ... they wanna sit flat to wear properly.
Dan, should I replace these in pairs, or is just one side OK ?
Are they offset only in the camber direction ? ... or are they
offset also to the rear to increase caster ?
Do you have a pic ?
Thanks, Dave
With it right against the frame, caster is probably WAY low, too.
Also, my tires are low profile run flats from C5 ... they wanna sit flat to wear properly.
Dan, should I replace these in pairs, or is just one side OK ?
Are they offset only in the camber direction ? ... or are they
offset also to the rear to increase caster ?
Do you have a pic ?
Thanks, Dave
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: Appleton Wi.
I also had a problem like yours. What I did was to put two offset shaft in, but one in one direction, and the other the opposite way. It evened out my shims on each side. Than I put washers and spacers on the end of the shafts, against the a-arms, to aquire even more castor. Just did that this winter and it worked like a champ. Now I get 4 degrees castor each side, and 1/4 degree negative camber, with approx. 2 1/8" shims on any bolt. I'm also gonna do the spreader bar to keep it there!!
TJ
TJ
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
Originally Posted by NHvette
No - camber is adjusted all the way positive and is still negative by about 1 degree.
With it right against the frame, caster is probably WAY low, too.
Also, my tires are low profile run flats from C5 ... they wanna sit flat to wear properly.
Dan, should I replace these in pairs, or is just one side OK ?
Are they offset only in the camber direction ? ... or are they
offset also to the rear to increase caster ?
Do you have a pic ?
Thanks, Dave
With it right against the frame, caster is probably WAY low, too.
Also, my tires are low profile run flats from C5 ... they wanna sit flat to wear properly.
Dan, should I replace these in pairs, or is just one side OK ?
Are they offset only in the camber direction ? ... or are they
offset also to the rear to increase caster ?
Do you have a pic ?
Thanks, Dave
Sorry to get back to you so late in the day. Been very busy lately.
The offset shaft is only for camber not caster. I don't have a pic but I can e-mail you one monday.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Originally Posted by TJ76
Sorry, that should read 2, 1/8 " shims.
TJ
TJ
2 1/8" !! (2) 1/8" shims is more like it.
Thanks, Dan ... I might try modifying an extra shaft that I have first.
If that doesn't work out well, I will be placing an order Monday.
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Originally Posted by I'm Batman
Caster adjustment would be moving the arm front-back. Are you sure your frame is straight? Maybe the control arm brackets are in the wrong spot...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
Have you checked your frame or shock towers/upper a-arm mounts for cracks & any signs of bending? Wonder if your frame has changed over the years and a spreader bar between the a-arms would help you restore the correct dimensions.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Maybe I'm not making the problem clear enough.
My frame/control arms/spindle ... something in there is not perfect.
Could the frame be tweaked ? yes ... probably is a bit. This frame is
new to me ... first time setting up suspension.
The problem is that the camber is way off. It is off so much that the
caster cannot be adjusted without relying on some machining as
Norval has pointed out.
Will a spreader bar push the frame out enough to get the adjustment ?
I don't think so ... but one will be installed to keep it from moving further.
It looks like the offset shaft will do it for me.
I think I only need one side.
Dan, I'll be contacting you later today ....
My frame/control arms/spindle ... something in there is not perfect.
Could the frame be tweaked ? yes ... probably is a bit. This frame is
new to me ... first time setting up suspension.
The problem is that the camber is way off. It is off so much that the
caster cannot be adjusted without relying on some machining as
Norval has pointed out.
Will a spreader bar push the frame out enough to get the adjustment ?
I don't think so ... but one will be installed to keep it from moving further.
It looks like the offset shaft will do it for me.
I think I only need one side.
Dan, I'll be contacting you later today ....
