Rear End Alignment Help
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Newport NC
Rear End Alignment Help
Anybody ever done your own rear end camber adjustment? My left rear is wearing terrible with a noticeable camber lean in. Can I just adjust the cam bolt on the inner portion of the strut rod and make it a bit better? Any tips are appreciated.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
If you lay a straight edge on the rim of the wheel from the 12 to 6 o'clock positions, you can measure the amount of camber angle. Crawl under the car and adjust the eccentric bolt to match the camber angle on the opposite side.
Do not jack the car and try measuring as this will change the measurements drastically. After making an adjustment drive around the block and remeasure. This might take a few attempts until the correct angle is determined/set.
There are many reasons to not attempt this procedure "under the shade of the old oak tree". Most importantly you may have damage or worn parts that are causing the problem. In which a qualified shop would be the best place to have a good inspection and proper alignment accomplished.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,395
Likes: 393
From: Lakeville MI
Just be aware if you adjust the rear camber, this will also affect the rear toe or thrust angle.
If the thrust angle changes at all, this will change the yaw angle of the chassis and most notably, the center position of the steering wheel as your moving down the road, so you will also need to correct the front axle toe to re-center the wheel at a minimum.
So if after adjustment, if the steering wheel is clocked to the right when rolling with hands off the wheel, and centering the wheel manually will cause the car to yaw to the left, you can compensate by setting the toe of both front wheels towards the right. Maybe 1/2 turn on each side of the tie rods in the appropriate direction and go from there.
The front toe is very easy to adjust. Just pop the hood and loosen the lock-nut and turn the tie rod in the appropriate direction and snug up the lock nut. Rear is not as easily accessible.
This will be an iterative process if you choose to do it yourself. Good luck.
A laser level and digital level comes in handy along with something to check the total toe.
If the thrust angle changes at all, this will change the yaw angle of the chassis and most notably, the center position of the steering wheel as your moving down the road, so you will also need to correct the front axle toe to re-center the wheel at a minimum.
So if after adjustment, if the steering wheel is clocked to the right when rolling with hands off the wheel, and centering the wheel manually will cause the car to yaw to the left, you can compensate by setting the toe of both front wheels towards the right. Maybe 1/2 turn on each side of the tie rods in the appropriate direction and go from there.
The front toe is very easy to adjust. Just pop the hood and loosen the lock-nut and turn the tie rod in the appropriate direction and snug up the lock nut. Rear is not as easily accessible.
This will be an iterative process if you choose to do it yourself. Good luck.
A laser level and digital level comes in handy along with something to check the total toe.
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Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Newport NC
Thanks for the advice everyone. The rear spring is badly weakened and breaking apart on the left side only. This no doubt is the reason that the left rear is sagging and showing negative camber. New spring time!! I was gonna try to adjust it anyhow but that bolt was too tight to budge. Time to break out the credit card for a spring and some lowering bolts and bushings then take it to a pro for a proper alignment.
Slingshot
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
Thanks for the advice everyone. The rear spring is badly weakened and breaking apart on the left side only. This no doubt is the reason that the left rear is sagging and showing negative camber. New spring time!! I was gonna try to adjust it anyhow but that bolt was too tight to budge. Time to break out the credit card for a spring and some lowering bolts and bushings then take it to a pro for a proper alignment.
You can probably install it yourself and then get a good computerized alignment from a reputable local shop for around $100. Food for thought....
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 223
Likes: 5
rear spring problem
I went through this about 6 years ago on my 85. The spring delaminated on the left side to the point that I was riding on the rubber stop. I ordered a new one from Ecklers. It took about ten minutes to install it. It was the easiest spring that I have ever replaced.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,772
Likes: 64
From: Mystic CT
Dave