1st & 2nd Generation (1983–1986 & 1987-1991)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1983-1986 & 1987-1991.
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
I just purchased a set of B+G springs and I was wondering if I'm going to need a camber kit. The springs are not installed on the car yet. As of right now, the car has no modifications to the suspension, but the struts, tie rods, and axles have all been replaced within the last 5-7k miles.
Right now the car has Scion TC 17", with 215/40/17s.
My normal mechanic doesn't put on non OE-replacement kind of stuff, so I just got to find a reputable shop to do this. This job is a bit beyond the type of work I'll do on my car.
First guy I tried insisted my camber is not adjustable, which it clearly is. Whatever, he just didn't want to work on the car or wasn't too bright in the first place.
The second guy flat out said his shop won't lower cars.
So this has kind of turned into, "do you know a site that lists reputable mechanic/shops," or does anyone know a good mech/shop in the SE Florida (about Jupiter to Ft. Lauderdale; I don't want to be too far away from the alignment shop).
putting the springs in yourself is not too bad if you have a weekend free actually. I know that the task seems daunting, but I did it out on the street in a weekend with just some jack stands and a lot of loud cursing. You can get the spring compressor tool from advanced auto our autozone or any place like that.
Hope you can figure out a solution to your shortage of mechanics who would do this for you though...
Off topic: you say you have 215 wide tires... any issues with rubbing ever? Let me know if you have rubbing issues after having the car lowered. I lowered mine with intrax. I wanna know it I can fit a 225 wide tire under my car for autocross purposes. :-D This guy at a rim shop I've been to thinks anything wider than 205 will rub in my camry, but obviously you have 215s
do it yourself and save $ !!!! you just need spring compressor, breaker bar, 22mm,19mm,10mm,14mm,12mm and impact gun to take the nut off the strut... well i dunno about saving $ if you make like 40$/hr then it's just better to let a shop do it and goto work
__________________
(\(\
( - -)
((') (')
Quantum mechanics - the dreams that stuff is made of.
Off topic: you say you have 215 wide tires... any issues with rubbing ever? Let me know if you have rubbing issues after having the car lowered. I lowered mine with intrax. I wanna know it I can fit a 225 wide tire under my car for autocross purposes. :-D This guy at a rim shop I've been to thinks anything wider than 205 will rub in my camry, but obviously you have 215s
Your wheels could have a different offset. My offset is +45, so even 225s might fit on my car. I've never had any form of rubbing at all, and the tires have ~10k on them.
I think my friend installed new springs himself, I'll check with him to see if he has the various tools needed to do the job.
do it yourself and save $ !!!! you just need spring compressor, breaker bar, 22mm,19mm,10mm,14mm,12mm and impact gun to take the nut off the strut... well i dunno about saving $ if you make like 40$/hr then it's just better to let a shop do it and goto work
when i did this job, i didnt even need an impact gun at all. a breaker bar get the job done best.
when i did it the insert kept turning and i wasn't about to grab it with pliers. so i impacted it off and on also.... hmmmm +45 offset huh... it might rub once u lower it then.. i have +40 and it rubs the wheel wells only when i turn all the way of course
__________________
(\(\
( - -)
((') (')
Quantum mechanics - the dreams that stuff is made of.
Off topic: you say you have 215 wide tires... any issues with rubbing ever? Let me know if you have rubbing issues after having the car lowered. I lowered mine with intrax. I wanna know it I can fit a 225 wide tire under my car for autocross purposes. :-D This guy at a rim shop I've been to thinks anything wider than 205 will rub in my camry, but obviously you have 215s
You can fit 225's with the perfect offset (in the 40-42 range, if I remember right), but you won't be able to turn the steering wheel lock to lock. It rubs on the inner fender where the splash guard goes. Not a big deal, just a little annoying in parking lots.
I have 35mm offset 16's with 'wide' 205 tires that only rub on one of my front fenders - the one that is pushed in maybe 5-10mm from a fender bender.
-Charlie
__________________
2003 Impreza WRX Wagon 5spd - 2.2L stroker + other goodies
1989 Camry Alltrac LE 3S-GTE 5spd - SV25/ST205 hybrid
1990 Camry 3S-GTE 5spd - parted out / junked
1990 Camry DX 3S-FE 5spd - The original white90dx; gone but not forgotten
okay, interesting thing. today one of my friends let me put some rims of his on my car to see if they would work. they had a 225/50/16 tire mounted on them.
I have lower the car with intrax springs and KYB struts...
the results surprised me very much. I was expecting the front to most likely rub, and the rears to not have any problem what so ever. Well I was wrong... the fronts were just fine, not a bit of rubbing. the back ones however rubbed against the struts themselves. I'm sure that a lower profile 225 wide tire will work just fine on the rears though.
so for everyones info: 225 wide tires *can* fit without rubbing on lowered camrys.
okay, interesting thing. today one of my friends let me put some rims of his on my car to see if they would work. they had a 225/50/16 tire mounted on them.
I have lower the car with intrax springs and KYB struts...
the results surprised me very much. I was expecting the front to most likely rub, and the rears to not have any problem what so ever. Well I was wrong... the fronts were just fine, not a bit of rubbing. the back ones however rubbed against the struts themselves. I'm sure that a lower profile 225 wide tire will work just fine on the rears though.
so for everyones info: 225 wide tires *can* fit without rubbing on lowered camrys.
Some things to consider:
The "width" of 225 actually is from bead-to-bead, not side-to-side.
So the first point of fittment is according to how the tire settles with the wheel that it's mounted on.
Secondly, how did you perform the test?
Mounting the wheel and dropping it to the ground is one thing.
100 miles of driving on that same setup is another.
My first wheel & tire package for my Gen2 was 16x7 Mille Miglia Spyders with Yokohama A520 tires in a 205/50ZR16 size.
Looks good when mounted, but after 100 miles of driving a slight rub was discovered on the rear wheel. This particular happened when I had someone sitting in the back. This might not be the case with your setup since you have the Intrax/KYB setup, but I did have KYB GR-2 struts all around in my car with the factory springs.
If your car doesn't lower with people in the back, then good for you.
Otherwise, you may notice a slight rub off the fender lip after some driving.
I own a BBS fender lip tool that I use to roll the rear fender lips of my car, which remedied the problem.
When I upgraded my wheels from Mille Migila to Borbet Type B (also from Tire Rack), I had to apply the tool once more because my Borbet wheels are 16x7.5, as opposed to 16x7. From the inside, the tire is very close to the strut. It's close, but OK since getting the car aligned.
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
ToyotaNation.com is an independent Toyota/Lexus enthusiast website. ToyotaNation.com is not sponsored by or in any way affiliated with Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. The Toyota, Lexus and Scion names and logos are trademarks owned by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
B+G Springs and Camber
Linear Mode
