Camber adjustment
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Rochester NY
Camber adjustment
I have a 1980 and one rear wheel has excessive negative camber that I plan to adjust. I and am looking for some tips on the best manner in which to jack up the rear of the car. Can I get away with lifting one side only? Would I be able to adjust the camber if the car was on ramps without the wheels hanging free?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,131
Likes: 4,154
From: Kannapolis NC
You can adjust the strut rods with one side up or on the ramps, but you'll have to roll or drive the car to settle the suspension and recheck. The bottom will pull in a pretty good amount if you jack it up. Calculate how much you want to change it before you jack it up and move it that much with it up. Drive and recheck.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
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From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
with the wheels off the ground, start with about 1" positive camber. when the suspension is loaded, it will move into negative. also (i hate to remind you) you'll have to change the toe after the camber is set.
jeff
jeff
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,317
Likes: 111
From: St Louis MO
With the stock camber bolt, those are pretty tight, or at least should be. You will need more space below the car to do have enough room to loosen or tighten, so I can state that I would NEVER attempt to change the camber with only one side jacked up. And also, if it is on ramps, there will be a lot of tension on the strut rods, so when you loosen the camber bolt nut, the negative camber will get worse. For what it's worth, camber will change by approximately 3/4 degree for each mark on the camber bolt .
The only way I'd recommend, and I've made a lot of adjustments, is to place the car on jack stands or a lift so that you have plenty of room to work. Besides, you will want to check for inner axle play (in & out) as Petronix suggests.
If you want to adjust camber with the car on the ground, or at the track, get some adjustable camber strut rods.
The only way I'd recommend, and I've made a lot of adjustments, is to place the car on jack stands or a lift so that you have plenty of room to work. Besides, you will want to check for inner axle play (in & out) as Petronix suggests.
If you want to adjust camber with the car on the ground, or at the track, get some adjustable camber strut rods.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Rochester NY
Thanks for all of this information. I ended up running the car up on ramps, jacking it up from there and putting both sides on jackstands to get it off the ground at a good height. The driver's side was the issue and I was able to get it straight without too much trouble. I think I may end up replacing the strut rods soon. The equipment looks pretty worn and, after 28 years, there may be some metal fatigue. It looks like a good project. I'm learning more each time I get the car up in the air. If I only had a lift!
