Camber Problem

[sammcgee]

88 Festiva, 5 speed (I searched through posts but didn't find what I needed)

I recently replaced the tranny in my Festiva. Now it seems that the top of
the wheels tilt inward noticeably, (negative camber??)
Is there an adjustment I can make.

Everything that I loosened to get the
tranny out, I tightened before taking the car off the jackstands...lower strut bolts, sway bar, control arms. Could that be the problem?

thanks for any help,
sam

[festymick]

I apologise in advance if this sounds stoopid, but check the spring has collapsed square and correct in the top of the tower. If failing everything, and the camber is unsafe- try camber pins?

[Burnrate]

The only camber adjustment is rotating the top strut mount/bushing 180 deg. I do believe you are supose to tighten the lower strut bolts after you put the weight of the car on them. but it made no difference on mine. Make sure your springs haven't rotated on you. If all else fails it time for camber bolts.

Eric

[sammcgee]

thanks.......I did see something in another post that made me think
everything should be tightened after the car is on the ground. I dont think the springs
could have rotated on me but I'll check it out.......in a nutshell, how do camber bolts work??

thanks again

[festymick]

Here is a pic i drew (hope it helps), and some shots i just took.

[festymick]

*EDIT*
The pin goes on the BOTTOM, not the top.
And yes i know, my brake lines are loose!
And yes i know, the front guards are DIRTY!!!!!!

[Festy46]

Camber bolts replace the stock bolt/bolts in the bottom of the strut where the strut attaches to the hub. You can use either one or two bolts depending on how much camber you need. The bolts are "out of round" with a bushing on the bolt that is thick on one side and thin on the other. When you rotate the bolt inside the bushing (when the bolt is installed) the thick side of the bushing will push the hub in and out to adjust your camber. The bolt is sort of like a tiny camshaft with only one lobe. When you rotate the "cam", the hub moves in and out like an engine valve moves up and down when it hits the high spot on the cam lobe.

[sammcgee]

thanks mick.........those pics are excellent. Now I'm going to search for the bolts.
Probably FMS sells them??

Is a slight negative camber preferred?? (In at the top?)

sam

[festymick]

I bought them from my friend in the business in Australia.

http://www.wholesalesuspension.com.au/

They cost me 70au pr, if you can't find them. R.T.A approved and meet Aust standards too.

[festymick]

Oops, sorry sammcgee.
To answer your question- as far as i'm led to beleive, the less camber (0), the longer your tyre wear, but the more eg.(3Deg) the better the handling, especially cornering.
I am not an expert on this, so my suggestion is to seek proffesional advice. If i go past the shop i will ask for more info.

[Festy46]

Rock Autp sells them - http://www.rockauto.com
They also sell shims to align the rear wheels for anyone that needs to do that, too.

[sammcgee]

thanks 46......they have lots of good stuff.