Rear Camber / Alignment Questions

[Greg F.]

Re: Rear Camber / Alignment Questions

Thanks Joe. Is the Camber adjustment done at the alignment shop? Is it an easy fix for them? I've never done it before so I'm hesitant to do it on my own.

[Joe L.]

Re: Rear Camber / Alignment Questions

Thanks Joe. Is the Camber adjustment done at the alignment shop? Is it an easy fix for them? I've never done it before so I'm hesitant to do it on my own.

Greg-----


Camber adjustment is usually done in an alignment shop, but it can be done on a DIY basis as I described above. If I was going to take it to an aligmnet shop, I think I'd first want to make sure the strut rod bushings were in good shape. Otherwise, if they say they can't align it and they have to do the strut rod bushing replacement, you could run into a lot more money for the job. You should be able to do the strut rod bushing replacement yourself.

If they tell you they can't align it, but will bend the strut rod to make it alignable, tell them to forget it.

[Joe L.]

Re: Rear Camber / Alignment Questions

All-----

Here's a handy little toe measuring device. I have not actually used it (even though I bought it more than 10 years ago), so I can't say how it works. But, I plan to try it soon.

[Greg F.]

Re: Rear Camber / Alignment Questions

Thanks, once again! Does the bushing replacement require any special tools or set up? should the car be on jack stands or flat?

[Joe L.]

Re: Rear Camber / Alignment Questions

Thanks, once again! Does the bushing replacement require any special tools or set up? should the car be on jack stands or flat?

Greg-----


The car needs to be up on jack stands to remove the strut rods. No special tool is needed for this part of the process.

To actually remove the bushings and install new ones does require special tools or improvised tools + an hydraulic press. You may need to have a machine shop do this work.

However, you don't need to assume that you need bushings. But, if the car is a 63-74 and the bushings have never been replaced, you won't be wasting any money replacing them.

[Michael M.]

Re: Rear Camber / Alignment Questions

Michael McCaul (47505);342071]Check here:

http://www.lbfun.com/Corvette/Tech/vettetech_files/How%20to%20Set%20Rear%20Camber.pdf

Have fun!

Try this..............

[Duke W.]

Re: Rear Camber / Alignment Questions

Joe,


Caster angle.............well, that's only done by an alighnment shop.

Joe

No, you can measure caster with an inclinometer or any other type of "camber gage".

The caster is approximated by the difference between the camber readings with the wheel at full left and full right lock. I say "approximated" because it is not exact, but as long as you have equal caster approximations on both sides of the car the absolute error is not significant.

It can be a little tricky getting the sign correct, but if you understand that positive caster generates negative camber gain on the outside wheel of the turn, you'll probably get it right.

This is one reason why postive caster is good. In addition to aiding self-centering of the steering it generates negative camber gain on the outside tire to partially offset body roll, which keeps the tire closer to vertical with the pavement.

Typical tires generate maximum lateral grip at a slight negative camber to the surface - usually no more than -1 degree.

Duke