JoeMahma
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- September 27, 2006
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- 1997 Mercury Mountaineer
So I noticed the other day that one of my front tires has feathering or scalloping on the inside tread. I took it in for alignment (Firestone) and was told that yes, it was out of alignment and it was put back to specs. All is well in Mountyland...so now I'm browsing the forum (I absolutely love this place) and I start reading about camber kits. I ran across this question and post...
Question:
If I am going to have a professional align my X do I need to buy the camber kit and bring it with me?
Just heard about it briefly when I had an alignment about six months back and the tech wrote in the comments section "need camber kit".
Some say it is not necessary but if I wanted to use it, what is the basic method? Apparently the tire shops don't stock the kit for the Explorers.
Can someone please shed some light on this? (by Lazzman)
Answer:
Hi Lazz!
The answer to your question depends on the type of control arm you have. If you have the one-piece control arms, then you need to check and see what type of large washers are on the mounting bolts. If the washers on the mounting bolts are oblong circles with a square hole for a 3/8" ratchet to fit into and turn, then they can be adjusted.
If, however, the mounting bolts are sort of rectangular, only with angled top corners, then they are not adjustable and need to be replaced with a camber kit. The only reason this type of washer would be there is if the vehicle originally had a two-piece control arm where the adjustment was made within the body of the control arm itself.
And then, of course, if you have the two-piece control arm, then you do not need a camber kit as the adjustments are made on the arm itself. (answer by ncc)
...I look at my truck and I have the ones with the square holes on the passengers side and the angled top ones with no square hole on the drivers side. I had my upper control arms replaced and both are now the one piece design. Do I need to get the ones with the hole on the drivers side as well? I was told the truck is aligned but I do not see how the drivers side could be set to specs with no way of adjustment. Sorry for the long post but I'm confused as hell. LOL! Any info would be highly appreciated.
Question:
If I am going to have a professional align my X do I need to buy the camber kit and bring it with me?
Just heard about it briefly when I had an alignment about six months back and the tech wrote in the comments section "need camber kit".
Some say it is not necessary but if I wanted to use it, what is the basic method? Apparently the tire shops don't stock the kit for the Explorers.
Can someone please shed some light on this? (by Lazzman)
Answer:
Hi Lazz!
The answer to your question depends on the type of control arm you have. If you have the one-piece control arms, then you need to check and see what type of large washers are on the mounting bolts. If the washers on the mounting bolts are oblong circles with a square hole for a 3/8" ratchet to fit into and turn, then they can be adjusted.
If, however, the mounting bolts are sort of rectangular, only with angled top corners, then they are not adjustable and need to be replaced with a camber kit. The only reason this type of washer would be there is if the vehicle originally had a two-piece control arm where the adjustment was made within the body of the control arm itself.
And then, of course, if you have the two-piece control arm, then you do not need a camber kit as the adjustments are made on the arm itself. (answer by ncc)
...I look at my truck and I have the ones with the square holes on the passengers side and the angled top ones with no square hole on the drivers side. I had my upper control arms replaced and both are now the one piece design. Do I need to get the ones with the hole on the drivers side as well? I was told the truck is aligned but I do not see how the drivers side could be set to specs with no way of adjustment. Sorry for the long post but I'm confused as hell. LOL! Any info would be highly appreciated.