Aftermarket Cam bolts for wheel alignment

[66conv6]

I've been quoted over $180 to put front ones in to get the front wheels aligned. I see them on RockAuto for 8 and 13 dollars. Where to they go? I want to put them in myself but my building doesn't allow working on cars.

Five years ago I replaced the front bushings and rack and pinion myself. I had to replace an inner tie rod six months ago after off-roading on volcanic roads to get a wheel alignment. After the alignment I switched the two front tires and it started pulling left and then they started to develope scalloping.

Now I've purchased two new front tires and was told to get these "cam bolts" to adjust the castor and camber. The cars settle after many years the Firestone guy said. The car drives fine now. Do I really need these? I've done a search on the forum and find little information.

['88 All-Trac]

If the car drives fine and your alignment is in-spec, I don't see why you would have to change anything at all...

[66conv6]

It's not in spec.

[white90dx]

$180 is WAY too much for a front end alignment with new camber bolts. It should be in the $50-$100 range...

-Charlie

[66conv6]

$180 is for a "kit and installation" out here in Honolulu where everything is higher in price.

The wheel alignment is free as its a lifetime alignment warranty. Like I said i can get a cam bolt from RockAuto for $8-12 per wheel corner. But the building I live in doesn't allow any work on cars.

[white90dx]

Originally Posted by 66conv6

$180 is for a "kit and installation" out here in Honolulu where everything is higher in price.

The wheel alignment is free as its a lifetime alignment warranty. Like I said i can get a cam bolt from RockAuto for $8-12 per wheel corner. But the building I live in doesn't allow any work on cars.

They have to get to the bolts to do an alignment anyway - there shouldn't be an install charge for the bolt, just the cost for the kit. There are different qualities of camber bolts - maybe they are getting the nice ones?

-Charlie

[blu_91_cam]

I've been to 2 different shops and they've both told me that I need to get the bolts, but when I tell them that they didn't come with the car to begin with so as long as the car is within factory specs than it was fine. I don't think you need them. I've been though a full set of tires after they told me that the first time and the tires did not wear unevenly at all.

[88 LE]

Originally Posted by 66conv6

I see them on RockAuto for 8 and 13 dollars. Where to they go?

Bottom of the strut, where it attaches to the steering knuckle.

The wheel alignment is free as its a lifetime alignment warranty.

Thats good, because getting the camber correct (within specs) is a pain in the ass even with the bolts.

I did a 4 wheel alignment at school on a 06 Camry with camber bolts. It was not fun having to lift the front end up and down on a alignment rack, losen/tighten the bolts, recheck camber, and repeat. Took a few tries to get it right.




P.S. There is no castor adjustment on the front, just camber (with aftermarket bolts) and toe.

[scarney1988]

As far as I understand, camber is not a wear inducing tire angle. It will cause pulls to the side that is most positive, though.

Camber bolts are easy to put in and a real m-f'er to actually adjust. I would get them installed when you can afford it. The price seems high, but then again I am not familiar with the big islands economy.


good luck

[88 LE]

Originally Posted by scarney1988

As far as I understand, camber is not a wear inducing tire angle. It will cause pulls to the side that is most positive, though.

Camber can cause the edge of a tire to wear. Negative camber = inside edge. Positive camber = outside edge.

Your right about camber causing pull.


Toe = tire wearing angle.
Camber = tire wearing and pull.
Caster = stability angle. caster can cause pulling to one side (to the least positive / most negative side).