Camber adjustment kits

[SSVPom]

Where can I get more info on the aftermarket camber/castor adjustment kits for the AU ?

Had new front tyres fitted today (Federal SS 595s) and noted completely bald/scrubbed out inner treads on the old ones. I had a 4 wheel alignment and balance completed at the last service, which was around 6,000 kms ago or around 9 months, and nothing untoward was pointed out to me then.

Is this an age related issue as the car slowly 'sags' with age and use? The Bob Jane guy today told me you cannot adjust the camber on these cars, and have to retro fit a kit to facilitate dialing out the negative camber ?

Any ideas of cost in carrying out this mod, as I'm considering it so my new tyres don't look the same in 12 months time !

Cheers.

[InfernoSR]

We do the repairs ourself... the reason why some camber kits needs to be replaced is due to short threads from factory and this doesnt allow enough adjustment in certain situations... Ebay has some good parts and is usually well priced, Powermax is one brand name that comes to mind, my father used them in his EB wagon with great succss.

[Jokular]

Yeah i got some tyres fitted today and the guy at bob jane said exactly the same thing.
He said it mostly affected utes and causes very uneven tyre wear .
Thankfully he said mine were wearing even.

[howesy]

Originally Posted by Jokular

Yeah i got some tyres fitted today and the guy at bob jane said exactly the same thing.
He said it mostly affected utes and causes very uneven tyre wear .
Thankfully he said mine were wearing even.

Mine on the ute were always scrubbing the inside edge even though they were al saying the toe in was correct at 1 to 1.5 degrees total toe. Then I went to a guy who has done a few and he said increase the total toe to 2.4 to 2.6 degrees. Feels a little different but I reckon it handles good and after 20000 there is no uneven wear. Point being ask them first if the camber is measuring to spec. If it is give the toe a try. Other wheel alignment places weren't real keen saying it was too much but in my factory book it is still within the specified range. It worked for me.

[FTe342]

Could be more to do with the bushes at the very front on the lower arm that stops the wheel moving back when you brake. What happens when you brake is that the wheels try to move back and point out. This is what wears the inside edge off the tyres.

These bushes are a fluid filled rubber that perishes and AU's have reached the age where, with average kays, the rubber cracks and looses the fluid. So the wheels move back when you brake.

Nolathane and others do make a nylon replacement but these are known to go brittle & crack after as little as 12 mths so the OEM part is the go

Howesy - you will more than likely find this is your real problem and the guys are over compensating with the toe in to correct it when the wheels do move back

[howesy]

Originally Posted by shaynet

Could be more to do with the bushes at the very front on the lower arm that stops the wheel moving back when you brake. What happens when you brake is that the wheels try to move back and point out. This is what wears the inside edge off the tyres.

These bushes are a fluid filled rubber that perishes and AU's have reached the age where, with average kays, the rubber cracks and looses the fluid. So the wheels move back when you brake.

Nolathane and others do make a nylon replacement but these are known to go brittle & crack after as little as 12 mths so the OEM part is the go

Howesy - you will more than likely find this is your real problem and the guys are over compensating with the toe in to correct it when the wheels do move back

Yeh I already sussed that, Is why I went to the guy in the first place was to get him to get under it with an almighty pinch bar and check for movement , he said it was solid as before suggesting the extra toe. reckons particularly the lower pursuits love the extra toe. And he backs up 100% your findings on the aftermarket bushes saying they are too rigid and crack and also recommends OEM fitment.

[shorty40]

Originally Posted by howesy

Mine on the ute were always scrubbing the inside edge even though they were al saying the toe in was correct at 1 to 1.5 degrees total toe. .

Got a Similar prob on my BAII XR8 Ute the insides on the front are wearing unevenly. Basically i'm getting a little over 25K out of my original Tyres with the inside on the fronts almost scrubbed out by that point.

Mines lowered about 33mm used King Springs I've been told I might need a camber kit for her what do you guys suggest.

[howesy]

Originally Posted by shorty40

Got a Similar prob on my BAII XR8 Ute the insides on the front are wearing unevenly. Basically i'm getting a little over 25K out of my original Tyres with the inside on the fronts almost scrubbed out by that point.

Mines lowered about 33mm used King Springs I've been told I might need a camber kit for her what do you guys suggest.

I dont normally like pedders but they have a really good one that is so easily adjustable its not funny. I would check that one out for starters but as Shaynet said get them to check the bushes first and measure the thing up. Make sure they get uder it and physically get agressive with it from underneath with a bar. passive checking wont always show the problem. If it doesn't move and measures up fine try the extra toe and your still not happy just replace the bushes and get the kit anyway. Don't know about the AU but I did my sons EF XR8 for him with all new bushes and caster/camber kit with alignment for $700

[blackers10]

the fulcrum item is a very sturdy piece of kit
its a shim type so wont go "out" of adjustment unless the bolts are left loose and the shims fall out(if that happens id be sueing the place that did it for negligence !!)

ask around your local area for a REAL EXPERIENCED wheel alignment specialist
they should be doing a full roll out type test

as a toe only test that bob jane does is no good for our cars given the camber issues etc..


on a side note..
how much are these OEM spec front bushes?? and do you need to get them pressed in?

[SSVPom]

Thanks for the info guys, I'll keep a careful eye on things and probably start pricing up the kit...

...although the wife now wants me to sell the car, and get her a 4x4 :togo: