TECHNICAL TIPS

Easy Camber Bolt Adjustment

Application: Cars with two-bolt struts using the EZ Cam™ camber adjusting bolts.

Background: While installing EZ Cam™ bolts, we discovered a quicker way to get very close to the camber spec.

By: Doug Hardy, National Trainer/Technical Services

Bulletin: Nearly everyone is familiar with EZ Cam™ XR bolts that help correct camber problems on most 2-bolt MacPherson strut suspensions. These bolts come in a variety of sizes for different applications but all work the same. This type of camber correction has been around for a while and will work on just about any strut that has two bolts attaching the strut to the spindle. Even though they are easy to install, sometimes these cam bolts can be a little hard to adjust with the suspension loaded. I have found a faster/easier way to install and adjust the cam bolt using the #8113 Camber Reference Gauge. This gauge has an adjustable bubble on top and can read camber changes up to 3 degrees.

Procedure:
* When I have decided that a vehicle needs an EZ Cam™ XR cam bolt to correct the camber, the first thing I do is to make a note of how much camber change I need and in what direction (positive or negative).
* Jack up the vehicle and remove the alignment equipment and the wheel assembly.
* Remove the upper strut bolt-but DO NOT loosen the lower one yet.
* Install the appropriate size cam bolt, clock the washer tab for the desired change, and snug up the nut.
* At this point I want to make certain that the brake rotor doesn’t move around or rotate so I usually install one lug nut to keep it tight. Put a mark at the top of the rotor for reference.
* Mount the #8113 Camber Gauge on the brake rotor and adjust it to zero.
* Loosen the lower strut bolt and adjust the camber using the cam bolt to the desired change while watching the bubble on the gauge and rotating the cam bolt. When the camber is moved the specified amount, tighten both the lower and the upper strut bolts to specifications, remove the one lug nut, install the wheel assembly, install the alignment equipment, and compensate.

With this method I am usually within one-tenth degree of the spec. That’s close enough for me and saves time trying to adjust the cam with a loaded suspension. I have found that this is faster than trying to install and adjust the cam bolt from underneath the vehicle. Give it a try!

RDTSB/02/006
Issue Date:
October 15, 2002