How to Fix Camber on Your Car: A Step-by-Step Guide

Camber is a crucial aspect of your car’s wheel alignment, and understanding how to adjust it can significantly impact your vehicle’s handling and tire wear. While replacing struts, it’s often necessary to address the camber to ensure optimal performance and prevent premature tire degradation. This guide will walk you through the process of fixing camber on your car, drawing on expert advice for accurate adjustments.

Understanding Camber and Adjustment Points

Before diving into the process, let’s clarify what camber is and where adjustments can be made. Camber refers to the vertical angle of your car’s wheels when viewed from the front. It’s measured in degrees and can be positive (top of the tire leaning outward) or negative (top of the tire leaning inward). Incorrect camber can lead to uneven tire wear, pulling to one side, and compromised handling.

Several points on your vehicle allow for camber adjustment:

• Strut Mounts: Many vehicles have a slight play in the upper strut mount where it connects to the strut tower. This play can be utilized for minor camber adjustments. Some vehicles are also designed with elongated holes at the top or bottom strut mounting points to facilitate easier camber correction.
• Concentric Bolts: For vehicles requiring more significant camber adjustment than the strut mount allows, concentric bolts are available. These specialized bolts replace the standard mounting bolts and offer a greater range of adjustment.

Alt text: Diagram of a car suspension system highlighting the strut mount and lower control arm, key components for camber adjustment.

Tools You’ll Need for Camber Adjustment

To effectively fix camber, you’ll need a few essential tools:

• Jack and Jack Stands: For safely lifting and supporting your vehicle.
• Wheel Chocks: To prevent the car from rolling.
• Wrench Set: To loosen and tighten bolts.
• Level (Torpedo Level Recommended): For accurately measuring camber. Avoid using a long level directly on the tire as tire irregularities can skew readings. A torpedo level is more practical for working around the wheel hub area.
• Angle Iron (Optional but Recommended): A piece of angle iron cut to fit inside the wheel rim lip provides a more accurate measuring surface than the tire itself.
• Camber Gauge (Optional): For more precise camber measurements, a dedicated camber gauge can be used.
• Concentric Bolts (If Required): Purchase these if your vehicle needs a larger camber adjustment than the stock components allow. Ensure they are compatible with your vehicle make and model.

Alt text: Assortment of automotive tools including wrenches, levels, jack stands, and an angle iron, commonly used for wheel alignment and camber adjustment.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adjusting Camber

1. Initial Assessment and Preparation:

• Inspect Tires: Examine your tires for signs of uneven wear, which can indicate a camber issue.
• Safety First: Park your car on a level surface, engage the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels.
• Loosen Lug Nuts: Slightly loosen the lug nuts on the front wheels you’ll be working on.

2. Level the Vehicle:

• Jack Up Front End: Using two jacks, lift both front wheels simultaneously by placing the jacks under the lower ball joints or just inboard on the lower control arms. This ensures the suspension is loaded similarly on both sides.
• Support with Jack Stands: Securely place jack stands under the vehicle’s frame rails or designated support points.
• Level the Car: Use a level placed across the radiator or another level reference point on the car’s body to ensure the vehicle is level side to side. This is crucial for accurate camber measurements.

3. Remove Wheels and Access Adjustment Points:

• Remove Front Wheels: Completely remove the front wheels to access the strut mounts and mounting bolts.
• Identify Camber Adjustment Points: Locate the upper strut mount bolts and the lower strut mounting bolts. Check for elongated holes or signs of existing camber adjustment mechanisms.

4. Measure Existing Camber:

• Use Hub or Rotor Surface: For the most accurate reading, measure camber directly off the hub or rotor surface. This eliminates any error from tire sidewall irregularities.
• Apply Level or Angle Iron: Place your torpedo level (or angle iron with the level on top) vertically against the hub or rotor surface.
• Read Camber Angle: Note the bubble position on the level to determine the camber angle. You may need to use a conversion chart or app to translate the bubble position into degrees. A camber gauge will provide a direct reading.

5. Adjust Camber:

• Strut Mount Adjustment: If your vehicle has play in the strut mount, gently loosen the upper strut mount bolts. Make small adjustments by shifting the strut mount within its play. Observe the level as you make adjustments to see the camber angle change.
• Concentric Bolt Adjustment: If strut mount adjustment is insufficient, or if your vehicle uses concentric bolts, you will need to install these. Loosen the lower strut mounting bolts and replace the original bolts with the concentric bolts. Rotating the concentric bolts allows for a wider range of camber adjustment.
• Make Small Adjustments: Adjust camber in small increments and re-measure after each adjustment. It’s an iterative process to achieve the desired camber setting.

6. Re-measure and Fine-tune:

• Re-measure Camber: After each adjustment, re-measure the camber angle using your level or camber gauge.
• Compare to Specifications: Refer to your vehicle’s service manual for the recommended camber specifications. Aim to get the camber within the specified range for your vehicle.
• Adjust as Needed: Continue making small adjustments and re-measuring until the camber is within the desired specification.

7. Final Steps:

• Tighten Bolts: Once the camber is correctly adjusted, securely tighten all strut mount bolts and lug nuts to the manufacturer’s specified torque.
• Reinstall Wheels: Reinstall the front wheels.
• Lower Vehicle: Carefully lower the vehicle back to the ground.
• Final Check and Test Drive: Double-check all bolts are tightened and take your car for a test drive. Pay attention to handling and any unusual tire noise or pulling.
• Professional Alignment (Recommended): While you can adjust camber yourself, it’s highly recommended to have a professional wheel alignment performed after any suspension work or camber adjustment. A professional alignment ensures all alignment angles (camber, caster, toe) are correctly set for optimal vehicle handling and tire wear.

Alt text: Diagram showing car wheel alignment specifications including camber, caster, and toe angles, essential for proper vehicle handling and tire longevity.

By following these steps, you can effectively adjust the camber on your car. Remember to prioritize safety, accuracy, and consult professional resources when needed to ensure the best results and maintain your vehicle’s performance.