Suspension and Chassis Questions about your suspension? Need chassis advice?

Camber causing problems?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 28, 2005 | 06:48 PM
  #1  
2_point8_boy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 1
From: Castaic, CA
Car: 1988 Camaro RS
Engine: 2.8L of Raw POWER!!!
Transmission: Stick Shift
Axle/Gears: 3.42's
Camber causing problems?

Ok, so I'm by no means a suspension expert, but I do know some about geometry and friction.

I currently have a problem with abnormal tire wear on the front passenger side. The outside of the tire is worn bald, and the wear pattern shows a steady increase in tread depth from the outside in. Meaning the the tread is deeper on the inside of the tire. I was looking at it today and I noticed that the passenger side has a lot more camber put into it than the driver side does(top tilts out on pass. side, but less on the driver)

It doesn't seem that I have a strange scraping pattern so I don't think the problem is the amount of toe that I have on that side. Is my guess correct in that if I fix the camber issue then the wear will get better.

You know what, I'm open for ideas, but I'm just gonna take it to get aligned anyway. I just want to make sure that my "educated guess" is correct.
Reply
Old Jul 28, 2005 | 11:22 PM
  #2  
nape's Avatar
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 0
From: SW Chicago 'burbs
Car: American Iron Firebird
Engine: The little 305 that could.
Transmission: Richmond T-10
Axle/Gears: Floater 9" - 3.64 gears
Outside of the tire worn bald is too much positive camber [top of tire pointing out] or too much toe-in [IIRC].

If the alignment comes out right but still has the problem, check for a bent spindle/a-arm.
Reply
Old Jul 28, 2005 | 11:35 PM
  #3  
2_point8_boy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 1
From: Castaic, CA
Car: 1988 Camaro RS
Engine: 2.8L of Raw POWER!!!
Transmission: Stick Shift
Axle/Gears: 3.42's
Yeah, the car kind of drifts to the right(passenger side), but the outside of the tire is worn badly. I was thinking that the drift could be caused by too much toe-out, and the uneven wear could be camber.

I know that camber was off on at least one wheel because the bolts didn't line up in the adjustment slots at the same place, and the passenger side had more adjustment toward the positive camber side of things. So with the adjustment being toward positive camber and the outside of the tire being worn, I think I had a camber problem. I adusted it a little so that I have the same amount of slot showing on both side and the car doesn't seem to drift AS MUCH, it still does though.

The whell also seems to sit a little better on the ground now.
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2005 | 01:19 PM
  #4  
soloc4's Avatar
TGO Supporter
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 509
Likes: 337
From: Lake Stevens, WA
Car: 84 Z28, 92 C4 suspension F&R, ABS
Engine: 408 LS2, CNC LS3 heads, Comp Cam
Transmission: Magnum F, RTX clutch, Tick shifter
Axle/Gears: DANA 44, Tru Trac, 3:73 gears
My first set of wide tires didi this soon after I put them on. Your front end needs a complete overhaul, ball joints, tie rods, idler arm, and drag link. New wheel bearings could be added if they havn't been replaced recently. Good luck!
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2005 | 12:55 AM
  #5  
Joez88Camaro's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
From: Walnut Creek, CA
Car: 1988 Camaro Sport Coupe Convertible
Engine: Your Momma
Transmission: I can go forwards and backwards
If the car has a lot of miles and the factory linkage I'd replace them first too before getting an alignment. It's actually pretty easy and only needs about $40 worth a of specialty tools. Replace the idler arm, tierods, tierod sleeves, and center link and notice how much more responsive the steering is. Then get it aligned and be happy. It's a good day worth of work with handtools and no lift, but most shops will charge around 5 hours worth of labor and their price for their parts (think supercheap would be $600)

The pull to the right your talking about is consistent with too much positive camber (sticking out on top). Think of a bike in a turn, they lean in the direction they want to go. your tire leaning like that will do the same thing, all other angles being equal, the car will pull to the side with the most positive camber.

If the strut mounts are old replacing them will make a huge difference too, (that's easier with air tools, but if you have the right tools it only takes a couple of hours).
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2005 | 12:58 AM
  #6  
Joez88Camaro's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
From: Walnut Creek, CA
Car: 1988 Camaro Sport Coupe Convertible
Engine: Your Momma
Transmission: I can go forwards and backwards
Wait, you live in sun valley CA.......
How far is that from the east bay. You can have an ASE certified suspension mechanic do the work with a Wyotech #1 in class suspension/alignment award do all the work for cheap. (shameless plug)
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Ghettobird52
Tech / General Engine
16
Jul 5, 2024 11:18 PM
Amillionoh7
Suspension and Chassis
24
May 24, 2020 08:01 AM
Spyder_TheGamer
Tech / General Engine
1
Dec 25, 2015 05:07 PM
Bryan F
Tech / General Engine
0
Aug 27, 2015 07:28 AM
Fronzizzle
Electronics
3
Aug 17, 2015 02:52 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:57 AM.