camber/ Toe help 2004 coupe Lowered 20''s
 

*DOUBLE POST BECAUSE NO ONE IS RESPONDING IN THE TECH SECTION :7:


I just got back from the alignment shop and the tech said he maxed out the positive adjustment on my front camber arms. He hasn't adjusted the toe yet as I figured I'd come home and see what you guys thought about what he said. I bought these front camber arms from someone on CL and I now know that they are replicas and don't offer much positive camber adjustment. The tech said my rears are in great shape, perfect, but my fronts are far from ideal and about a half degree in difference. He guessed that the car would drift to the right but on the way home it did not drift or veer at all. So, I guess my question is, are these the right specs? He is trying to hit factory specs for camber/toe with factory ride height and 18'' wheels. I have eibach pro kits which dropped me about 1.1'' and 20'' wheels. Would there be different specs to try and hit? I went to the shop trying to buy a lifetime alignment but after the problems I just had him pull my car off the rack and I figgured I would ask the pros before I made another move. I'm thinking my only two options at this point are to buy a different set of camber arms (which is definitely not my first choice) or just live with the negative camber differences and it being out of spec. Any feedback would be much appreciated.

*side note Firestone charged me 25$ for the alignment check but said they will deduct it from a lifetime alignment if I go back in this week and have it done.

Thanks guys, sorry for the wall of text but I'm a noob and you all are the pros.

http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/a86e6085.jpg

Did you install the toe bolt in addition to the rear camber arms? There's really no reason you shouldn't be able to get your car back into spec, especially if you're just lowered on Eibach springs. Honestly your specs don't look that bad, but I'd be most concerned about the amount of toe in the left rear.

Lesson learned: next time take your car to a place that specializes in lowered vehicles with adjustable camber/toe pieces. Places like Firestone, etc aren't the best at this.

I have no idea of a place around here that specializes in aftermarket suspension pieces. I was attracted by the lifetime alignment. He hadn't yet adjusted the toe (but he said he would have no problem fixing rear toe) ((yes I also installed the spc adjustable toe bolts in the rear)), only started messing with the front wheels. So I'm sure the toe can be adjusted in the rear. I am most worried about the fronts, as he states that my front adjustable a arms are maxed out as far as positive adjustment. Am I going to chew tires like an SOB? I thought that is why I bought the camber kits!?

not all camber kits can adjust back to spec. best ones that i remember so far is SPC, those can adjust back to spec. The one you probably have, can only adjust a little. as long as toe is in spec, it's okay to run negative camber. You chew up tires mainly from toe. also, theres a reason why a lot of people here doesn't mention getting alignments at firestone... even though its a lifetime... it's tempting, but firestone isn't experienced with lowered cars. majority of their customers are just normal stock cars. You should go to a shop that knows lowered cars... even if it's a little more pricey or you'll end up going back to firestone pretty often.

Hmmm, well I just got insurance switched over to the g from my winter beater w a heater. So tonight I'll head out to the local tuner cruise strip and see if I see anyone draggin a$$ and ask them where they got their alignment done. That 180$ for life is just so tempting! So what degrees should I be trying to achieve with my current setup for camber? Anyone know? He said my toe will be fine once he starts messing with it. I just told him to pull it down once they ran into the positive camber problems.

if you want to be safe on camber... just adjust it to whatever is in the green zone. just make sure toe is in spec. green is safe lol. im not saying you cant go to firestone.. if they know their stuff with lowered cars then go to them. goodluck with your camber.

Very informative. Thanks for the info.

Charles, your first mistake was going to Firestone! Seriously if you were a great mechanic would you want to work for them....not! Talk to your friends and neighbors asking them if they know of a quality independent brake/alignment shop in your area. You want your alignment as close to OE specs as possible. :NOD:
Gary

Thanks Gary exactly the info I needed. But the tech showed me the adjustable arms and they were moved as far to one side as they could be. He said moving them the other way increased negative camber. So I'm guessing that no matter where I take the car it's gonna be the same thing. But I don't know anything about camber kits or alignments. Sooooo...

Follow up question, is it worth it for me to go in and spend the 150$ more to have everything aligned and toe set? Or will I be ok with the current settings for a while? Just wondering because I'm ballin on a budget unlike some of you. Also Gary, how do i make my signature longer? Everytime I try to add anything it says my sig is too long :( WUWT?

While I realize what I'm about to say is going to sound super immature, it gave me a chuckle. While skimming through the threads I totally thought this said "camel toe help" at a glance. hahaha...

You're gonna have to do better than that to come across as immature around here. Maybe try putting 22" chrome wheels on a coupe. That should do it :D

i dont see how your front camber is worse than the rear. .5* isnt really enough of a difference to cause a drift as far as camber tho. somethings gotta be up with those front arms. im slammed on 20s with no camber arms/bolts/etc and my natty camber is -2.2f and -3.2r

Whoa thats ^ way out of whack. I spoke with my mechanic yesterday and he said by repositioning the 6 Allen head bolts on the arms he said I should be able to get another 1/4-1/2 of a degree of positive adjustment out of my front arms. Which is fantastic news. I'll update after this weekend when I re-do the bolts then get aligned.

Not out of wack. What i want lol.