Rear camber adjustment.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 10,153
Likes: 15
From: Texas
Rear camber adjustment.
I need to adjust the camber on my '69. When I bought it, it was obvious from the tire wear that it was a problem. (inside edges were worn almost bald). I got new tires, and I just lowered the car, so now it's easy to spot the inward cant of the rear tires. I have the stock strut rods, so is it just a matter of adjusting the cams under the differential? If so, do I need a jack under the car to support it enough to loosen the cams, or what? Anybody that's done it before, I welcome your advice.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From: Clearwater Florida
Re: Rear camber adjustment. (Jeff 6T9)
You need JACK STANDS. I don't know how accurate you can get it by eyeball but raise rear and place on jack stands. Loosen cam nut and rotate cam and bolt assembly one mark on each camber bolt. I would then lower car and drive it around the block to settle rear. Then repeat until your happy. It would be a good idea to check your strut rod bushings while you are under there.
Good luck
Good luck
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 10,153
Likes: 15
From: Texas
Re: Rear camber adjustment. (vettemack)
I always use jack stands. I should have indicated that, but thanks for the pointing it out. Safety first! :thumbs:
Do I just support the frame, or do I need to put them somewhere under the rear end also?
Thanks for the help.
Do I just support the frame, or do I need to put them somewhere under the rear end also?
Thanks for the help.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From: Clearwater Florida
Re: Rear camber adjustment. (Jeff 6T9)
I would just support the frame. Your not going to get a precise adjustment anyway. You really should take it and get a four wheel alignment done. Tires will last longer.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 2
From: Apex NC
Re: Rear camber adjustment. (Jeff 6T9)
Jeff, you should be able to adjust the camber bolts fairly easily as the others have described. Do check the strut rod bushings and the differential side yokes for wear. If either (or both) of these areas have worn to the point that you cannot get the rear camber to an acceptable setting, you'll need to R&R the worn part(s).
Been there, done that, got the "while I'm in there" t-shirt :D
Shannon
Been there, done that, got the "while I'm in there" t-shirt :D
Shannon
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 10,153
Likes: 15
From: Texas
Re: Rear camber adjustment. (sb69coupe)
thanks everyone. Everything looks to be in good shape back there, as quite a bit of suspension work was done to the car shortly before I bought it, and it's been garaged ever since. I am anxious to see if I can make enough of an adjustment, or if it's time to fork out the cash for the Smart Struts.
:D
:D
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 2
From: Apex NC
Re: Rear camber adjustment. (Jeff 6T9)
Jeff, good luck with the camber adjustment. Just a quick note to follow up. If you cannot get it aligned to the correct camber using the stock setup, something is wrong, either bearings, bushings, or yokes. Don't switch to the Smart Struts just to mask the real cause of the camber issue.
Shannon
Shannon
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,625
Likes: 0
From: Cut n Shoot TX
Re: Rear camber adjustment. (vettemack)
You need JACK STANDS. I don't know how accurate you can get it by eyeball but raise rear and place on jack stands. Loosen cam nut and rotate cam and bolt assembly one mark on each camber bolt. I would then lower car and drive it around the block to settle rear. Then repeat until your happy. It would be a good idea to check your strut rod bushings while you are under there.
Good luck
Good luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,166
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa Ok
Re: Rear camber adjustment. (Jeff 6T9)
... and I just lowered the car, so now it's easy to spot the inward cant of the rear tires.
I'd adjust the camber bolts to maximum retraction and then settle the rear, if you're still not there, its time to raise the body or buy some shorter strut rods.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From: Clearwater Florida
Re: Rear camber adjustment. (Jeff 6T9)
Since you have confirmed your strut rod bushings are shot, be aware, there are two different sizes of strut rod ends. Your 69 came with the small ones but most new ones or replacement ones are the larger type. If you are going to just replace the bushings (APITA), check the condition of your strut rod also as mine were very thin and I actually broke one trying to get it airbore one day, "ah, the good ole days".
