Anybody Ever Adjust Camber Without Machines? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

69sixpackbee · 08-23-2002, 04:41 PM

I want to make a quick adjustment to my '72 and get rid of the positive camber I am experiencing (outer edge tire wear) and want to do it myself without having to take it to the shop. That would entail removing the camper and that is a big PITA !
I was thinking of putting a bubble protractor on the tire and watch it as I get near "0" degrees. How do you guys suggest?
How do you adjust the camber? I know the shims on the upper CA shafts are there to adjust caster and the camber both. I don't have the repair manual in front of me so I don't remember off hand.
Thanx!

69sixpackbee · 08-26-2002, 11:54 AM

guess not

jjk3 · 08-26-2002, 08:46 PM

IMO, the best thing to do is to take it to a shop. If you start adjusting the camber with out a machine, you could get into more trouble than you started with. I did the alignment on my '68 at school, and we had to put in shims and adjust the tie rod ends.

*Zkast* · 08-26-2002, 09:54 PM

Any changes in camber need to be done with a gauge or alignment machine. You also have to readjust toe. It will change when the camber is moved any. Unless you have done alignments for a while and know what shims will give you a specific measurement, let the pro's handle it.

IMHO of course

Not that im trying to sell alignments... I cant stand doing alignments at work lol. waste of my time for 49.95, most of them take longer than they pay

ChopTop · 09-10-2002, 04:46 AM

Zkast, if your doing truck alignments for 50 bucks your doing them for free! I second and third it, you might get away with being pleased with what appears to be zero camber, then chase down your toe with a tape. But how the heck are you gonna know what your caster is? Definetly take it to a shop with alignment machine, Hunter being my preferred choice.

jiggs · 09-12-2002, 08:54 PM

Six Pack: If you take equal sized shims out or the front and back of the cross shaft, you will increase negative camber (less pos).That will not effect caster. If you take a shim out of the back and put in front, that will effect caster and not do any thing to camber. Toe will be effected either way. For the amount of screwing aroung you are going to have to do, take it to a shop. You also don't want 0 camber. Negative 1/2 degree is prefered. How is the bubble going to tell you that?

Mike C · 09-17-2002, 11:33 AM

I have a Howe caster camber gauge like the circle track guys use. I have done many alignments with it. Cost about $150, but has paid for itself already. R&R the front end on a friends '69 Camaro this weekedn and did alignment with it. Just scribe the tire for a reference to set toe using a tape measure.

ebfabman · 09-17-2002, 02:48 PM

Caster camber guages work great, I have several, been using them for years. I set toe with a tremmel bar with the two front wheels on top of folded up plastic trash bags ( cheap turn tables )

With a caster camber gauage, tremmel bar, string, and plastic trash bags you can do an accurate alignment, better than most shops with expensive equipment.

1-PU70 · 09-18-2002, 09:27 AM

If the only thing holding you back is the camper then go to shop that has hi doors. Sorry I just coulden help myself.

MOTHERTRUCKERS · 09-20-2002, 06:32 PM

1-PU70 Post your other car.

could not help myself either..

08-23-2002, 04:41 PM	#1
69sixpackbee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Sabinal, Texas Posts: 1,706	Anybody Ever Adjust Camber Without Machines? I want to make a quick adjustment to my '72 and get rid of the positive camber I am experiencing (outer edge tire wear) and want to do it myself without having to take it to the shop. That would entail removing the camper and that is a big PITA ! I was thinking of putting a bubble protractor on the tire and watch it as I get near "0" degrees. How do you guys suggest? How do you adjust the camber? I know the shims on the upper CA shafts are there to adjust caster and the camber both. I don't have the repair manual in front of me so I don't remember off hand. Thanx! Last edited by 69sixpackbee; 08-23-2002 at 06:47 PM.

08-26-2002, 08:46 PM	#3
jjk3 It's just a check engine lamp. Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Melbourne, FL Posts: 311	IMO, the best thing to do is to take it to a shop. If you start adjusting the camber with out a machine, you could get into more trouble than you started with. I did the alignment on my '68 at school, and we had to put in shims and adjust the tie rod ends. __________________ Active Inliner---bigchevy66 68 SWB Stepside 250 L6/3 on the floor/ Hedman headers, HEI, MSD 6A box, K&N filter, Offy intake and Edelbrock 600cfm 4 barrel Soon to have: WC T-5 five speed 66 SWB Stepside-undergoing restoration

09-12-2002, 08:54 PM	#6
jiggs poker face Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Posts: 218	Six Pack: If you take equal sized shims out or the front and back of the cross shaft, you will increase negative camber (less pos).That will not effect caster. If you take a shim out of the back and put in front, that will effect caster and not do any thing to camber. Toe will be effected either way. For the amount of screwing aroung you are going to have to do, take it to a shop. You also don't want 0 camber. Negative 1/2 degree is prefered. How is the bubble going to tell you that? __________________ If you could kick the person in the *ss responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn't sit for a month.

09-17-2002, 11:33 AM	#7
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,727	I have a Howe caster camber gauge like the circle track guys use. I have done many alignments with it. Cost about $150, but has paid for itself already. R&R the front end on a friends '69 Camaro this weekedn and did alignment with it. Just scribe the tire for a reference to set toe using a tape measure. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

09-18-2002, 09:27 AM	#9
1-PU70 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Bradenton, FL Posts: 1,036	If the only thing holding you back is the camper then go to shop that has hi doors. Sorry I just coulden help myself. __________________ 1970 CST/10 402,700R4,3:73 posi,AC,PS,PB,TLT,PW,Buckets with heaters

08-26-2002, 11:54 AM	#2
69sixpackbee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Sabinal, Texas Posts: 1,706	guess not

08-26-2002, 09:54 PM	#4
Zkast Account Suspended Join Date: May 2002 Location: Olathe, Kansas Posts: 929	Any changes in camber need to be done with a gauge or alignment machine. You also have to readjust toe. It will change when the camber is moved any. Unless you have done alignments for a while and know what shims will give you a specific measurement, let the pro's handle it. IMHO of course Not that im trying to sell alignments... I cant stand doing alignments at work lol. waste of my time for 49.95, most of them take longer than they pay

09-10-2002, 04:46 AM	#5
ChopTop Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: KINGWOOD TEXAS Posts: 515	Zkast, if your doing truck alignments for 50 bucks your doing them for free! I second and third it, you might get away with being pleased with what appears to be zero camber, then chase down your toe with a tape. But how the heck are you gonna know what your caster is? Definetly take it to a shop with alignment machine, Hunter being my preferred choice.

09-17-2002, 02:48 PM	#8
ebfabman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 2,488	Caster camber guages work great, I have several, been using them for years. I set toe with a tremmel bar with the two front wheels on top of folded up plastic trash bags ( cheap turn tables ) With a caster camber gauage, tremmel bar, string, and plastic trash bags you can do an accurate alignment, better than most shops with expensive equipment.

09-20-2002, 06:32 PM	#10
MOTHERTRUCKERS Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: BRADENTON FLA Posts: 3,269	1-PU70 Post your other car. could not help myself either.. __________________ Rest in Peace Ed. Thanks for all the good times.

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