Do all alignment machines require that something be attached to the rear wheel to set the camber? I'm not real excited about having something attached to my new wheels.

i've ordered the rear camber arms but now not sure how to go about resetting the camber without messing up the wheels. What if I put my stock wheels back on the rear? Does the camber change according to the wheels that are on, i.e. different width and offset?

Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Almost every alignment machine has something that has to clamp onto the wheels. Expensive(Hunter) machines shouldn't damage your wheels. Putting your stock wheels back on can have a small effect on the camber depending on the offset and width difference compared to stock, but probably not enough and you should be fine swapping back to stock to get an alignment done

 

Do you mean actually attached to the wheel for good, as in permanent? In this case no, thats only when balancing the tires, they sometimes use weights. When they align your car they only mess with camber arms or toes typically. Yes the camber will change from wheels to wheels, but not enough to really notice.

-Sean

 

No, most laser alignment machines need to attach reflectors to the wheels, usually by clamping to the edge of the outside of the wheels. This could possibly damage the wheels if the tech isn't careful, but some of the more expensive machines won't damage the wheels

 

No what? I didnt ask a question...?

 

The first line of your post was a question

 

haha, he was answering in the form of a question for the OP
-GP-

 

Yeah, tru you got me on that one, but it was a question that i was just reinstating from his original post...not a question for you.

I thought what he ment by "attached" was as in actually something that stays on the wheel for good or permanently. In this case, no nothing attached to your wheel permanently. Only the lasers/ mirrors that are required to do the alignment by some machines


By resetting the camber you will not mess up your wheels. This does not affect your rims in any way. If it is done improperly then your tires will wear unevenly, but if done properly (by a mechanice or alignment shop) then it wont be any different than stock unless other factors come into play (to low of a drop to adjust back to OEM specs or their machine is messed up...ect.).

Now hopefully we dont need 10 post to clear things up with redlude and myself.

-Sean

 

I didn't mean anything by it, it sounded like you were asking for clarification about what he was asking, and I answered it. You and OP weren't on the same page as you started talking about balancing, so I was just trying to answer for the OP.

 

Well usually when something permanently attaches to your wheel it involves your balancing..not allignment. So i was clearing things up.

-sean

 

Thanks. I'll try to find one of the machines that clamps to the tire and has rubber bumpers that rests on the wheel. I've had it aligned a couple of times since the springs went on and it's supposedly in factory specs. My plan is to put the camber arms on and get to the low side of the specs (-.8) to save the tires some.

 

LazerRed1, you may wish to seek out an allignment shop which also sells high end wheels. They will tend to be much more careful and skilled, as their existing customers return for additional allignment work. Good luck!

 

Wish we had such a shop here but we don't. I'm in the process of calling around to see if I can find one of the new machines.