Adjustable camber question, is this the right part?

[oplitic]

Alright, I bet you guys get a lot of questions partaining to this, but I jsut see few different "adjustable camber kits" or plates or cams, whatever. here's what I found:

Pic:

Link:
http://store.summitracing.com/partd...908331+4294924677+4294907830+115&autoview=sku
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Pic:

Link:
http://www.prosuspension.com/product_info.php?cPath=1091_1096&products_id=274
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I saw another one too, it was called a sleeve or something. Thanks for any input.Thanks.

 

[IZwack]

Hi oplitic -- welcome to the forum.

Buy the first one, the one from Summit thats round. I bought the cornered one before and had to buy the round ones soon after because the cornered ones didnt allow enough adjustment.

 

[oplitic]

Hey, thansk for the welcome IZWack.

I was wondering, everyone in that long thread about "going for the gusto" (I know it's an odler thread, but hd a lot of usefull info) says they have about 3 degrees of negative camber, is this correct? Because if so, I don't see how, I did the torsion key flip and have my torsion adjuster bolts out (for now cause I left the other one at my friends house) and have had it this way for about 3 days, (I'm lazy and don't want to waste the gas) and I still don't see that much of a negative camber. Mine actually look almost perfect. I jsut don't want to get an alignment (needed one anyways) and then they want to charge me like a hundred or more dollars for the camber kit and the labor.

Would this much of a drop do that much negative camber to it?


Before: (rear fender/tire, but they were the same ride height)

After:

 

[oplitic]

Also I was wondering how exactly do they adjsut it?

does any one know what the shop adjusts before the camber kit? I know the shop must have something they adjsut before they have to use the camber kits.

 

[IZwack]

Take a picture of the tire from the front So we can see how much negative camber you have.

Save yourself some money by installing the camber adjusters yourself, then take it to a shop for an alignment.

 

[IZwack]

Also I was wondering how exactly do they adjsut it?

does any one know what the shop adjusts before the camber kit? I know the shop must have something they adjsut before they have to use the camber kits.

The stock "cams" (as the large washer-looking things are called) are not adjustable - neither is the A-arm itself. So the camber of a stock vehicle can not be adjusted.

Those adjustable camber "cams" are adjusted by rotating it. Basically you stick a 3/8" socket driver/handle into that square hole and rotate the cam until you get the proper camber. Then you tighten the nut down.

When the cam is rotated, it pushes the upper A-arm out (or in) therefore causing a change in the camber.

 

[oplitic]

So I stick the socket wrench into the square as if it was a socket, and then turn it? Like this back and forth? (the arrows I put in)

I don't see how it works. (then again I still don't see how flipping the T-Key did it either) All it's doing is spinning the bolt correct? Does it have to do with one part of the bolt being flat?

 

[oplitic]

while I'm asking questions about alignment. Do you know how to correct an alignment when it steers to the right when I let go? I have a 98 Mercury Mountaineer. It was already doing this before the drop.

 

[IZwack]

How it works -- notice the bolt hole is not at the center of the "cam". When the cam is rotated in such a way so that the opposite part part of the cam from where the bolt hole is, is aimed in towards the engine, the cam will be pushing against the inner tab on the chassis which will push the upper A-arm out. You'll see how it all goes together once the adjusters are on the vehicle.

So I stick the socket wrench into the square as if it was a socket, and then turn it? Like this back and forth? (the arrows I put in)

Yep thats how you adjust it.

Do you know how to correct an alignment when it steers to the right when I let go?

Typically this is corrected by adjusting the outter tie-rod. When you get the alignment for the camber, they will also fix this problem.

 

[oplitic]

Thanks bud I finally understand it. Now I jsut need to order em and put em on. Which probably wont be for a while. Thanks for all the help bud!

 

[oplitic]

Alright, got one more question. Do I need to buy two of these kits? Cause I was told by someone to buy two. But don't I only need two of these? I believe that two come in a pack.

 

[IZwack]

yeah you need two total - so if two came in a set, then you would need only one set. But call up Summit first before you order and make sure.

 

[oplitic]

I was just wondering, how long do you think I can go without putting them in? It might be a week or so before I can cause of money problems at the moment.

Also was wondeirng if you know any other good free or really cheap mods that are cool/good for the 98 Merc/X? I've done the brown wire mod. But haven't done a whole lot of looking yet. Thanks for allt he help bud.

 

[CDW6212R]

BTW, the stock camber adjustment is done with existing adjustable washers. There are eight washers on the two upper arms. The stock inner washers are shaped much like the "camber washers" to do exactly the same thing. The aftermarket washers replace stock round washers, to add to the adjustability.

I have just the four outer aftermarket camber washers on my 98. They came with the EE X-Spec kit. They work fine for minor lowering. Those kits that have bolts and all washers are evidently for more adjustment, for major lowering. I don't know exatly at what point of lowering that the other kit is better. Mine is lowered a couple of inches.

Have the final lowering adjusted by the alignment shop. They do the work on a proper flat surface. They can accurately make both sides equal. The ride height should be measured at the chassis, not the fenders. The body has nothing to do with suspension operation. If the control arms are adjusted to different lengths left/right, then the handling will be a little different left to right. The lower control arms should be at the exact same angle from the frame.

The way to do that is to measure the height from the flat surface, up to the control arm bolt center. Good luck,

 

[CDW6212R]

The best modification for the ride/handling is to install an Explorer Express rear sway bar. That one part makes the trucks much safer to drive. Regards,

 

[Jakee]

Hello. I thought this was interesting. Check it out.

http://www.veloandy.com/pics/alignment/how_to_align_your_car_at_home.htm