Camber arm alignment requirement?

zefaulter · 07-11-2014, 01:00 PM

Had alignment done maybe 2k miles ago. I'm planning to install SPL rear camber arms now to correct negative camber. I have called Nissan stealership and another shop and I keep hearing that they Need to do 4 wheel alignment. Last shop said when adjusting rear camber/toe, front needs adjustment too.

Is this true? I thinks it's BS...

DEpointfive0 · 07-11-2014, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zefaulter

Had alignment done maybe 2k miles ago. I'm planning to install SPL rear camber arms now to correct negative camber. I have called Nissan stealership and another shop and I keep hearing that they Need to do 4 wheel alignment. Last shop said when adjusting rear camber/toe, front needs adjustment too.

Is this true? I thinks it's BS...

The front can't be adjusted much anyways... But they always call it that and will put the sensors on all the wheels regardless.

You should get lockouts (like the ones I sell for $25 shipped) and/or you should get toe bolts, otherwise you can't get much more adjustment without ruining toe.

zefaulter · 07-11-2014, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEpointfive0

The front can't be adjusted much anyways... But they always call it that and will put the sensors on all the wheels regardless.

You should get lockouts (like the ones I sell for $25 shipped) and/or you should get toe bolts, otherwise you can't get much more adjustment without ruining toe.

so, BS?

zefaulter · 07-11-2014, 09:33 PM

Anyone?

synolimit · 07-11-2014, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zefaulter

Had alignment done maybe 2k miles ago. I'm planning to install SPL rear camber arms now to correct negative camber. I have called Nissan stealership and another shop and I keep hearing that they Need to do 4 wheel alignment. Last shop said when adjusting rear camber/toe, front needs adjustment too.

Is this true? I thinks it's BS...

100% true. Adjusting the rear can make your steering wheel turn sideways. It's the thrust angle I believe. If your rear tracks one way you have to over compensate the front for it. Always dial in the rears camber and toe, then you'll have to adjust front toe. We have no camber front so toes all that needs done and its a quick 2 minute thing to adjust the steering shaft tie rod.

chops · 07-11-2014, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zefaulter

Anyone?

it can be done. i had rear camber arms installed at one of the most reputable alignment shops in norcal (custom alignment in mountain view) and they got everything set perfectly in the rear and the front was untouched. i was only charged for a rear wheel alignment, although they did try to sell me toe bolts

ksagis · 07-12-2014, 08:22 AM

My experience was different than chops. I wanted to have alignment shop modify my rear camber a few weeks after getting my alignment done. They adjusted the rear camber and then were going to work on fronts alignment. I asked why and he showed me the read-outs, the act of adjusting the rears had thrown the fronts out. I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it myself.

I don't *think* they changed the toe on the back, just camber. I could see the front need adjustment if they had adjusted my camber and toe, wish I had observed them closer.

Not a ton of help, but a data point.

NORAIN · 07-13-2014, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by synolimit

100% true. Adjusting the rear can make your steering wheel turn sideways. It's the thrust angle I believe. If your rear tracks one way you have to over compensate the front for it. Always dial in the rears camber and toe, then you'll have to adjust front toe. We have no camber front so toes all that needs done and its a quick 2 minute thing to adjust the steering shaft tie rod.

When I installed my rear camber arms, my steering wheel was at 2 o'clock until I got to the alignment shop. I didn't touch the front...
I have had alignments done at a race shop and Sears. They both did the back adjustments first, then they adjust the front toe.

synolimit · 07-13-2014, 05:43 AM

also some advice, dont let them recalibrate the computer!!! i dont know what they do but ive had to have it done 4 times till it was right! when they recalibrated i would go to turn slight right around a corner by my house doing 40 and the car thought i was slipping because of the steering angle or something. the ABS kicked in and locked the brakes. again i was turning right and with the brake all of a sudden turning on out of no where scaring the **** out of me, i went left into the other lane of traffic!! took 4 times till it stopped.

Super Werty · 07-13-2014, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by synolimit

also some advice, dont let them recalibrate the computer!!! i dont know what they do but ive had to have it done 4 times till it was right! when they recalibrated i would go to turn slight right around a corner by my house doing 40 and the car thought i was slipping because of the steering angle or something. the ABS kicked in and locked the brakes. again i was turning right and with the brake all of a sudden turning on out of no where scaring the **** out of me, i went left into the other lane of traffic!! took 4 times till it stopped.

recalibrate what? the ecu in the car?

zefaulter · 07-13-2014, 09:53 AM

Hmm this seems way more complicated than I thought. Thanks for the replies guys

synolimit · 07-13-2014, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super Werty

recalibrate what? the ecu in the car?

No the hunter alignment machine re-calibrates the steering angle sensor. Its a step the machine makes you take as the tech follows the how to.

w4kj4k · 07-13-2014, 11:50 AM

It's not that complicated.
An alignment usually runs around 70-80.

They almost always adjust rear camber/ toe at the same time. Because when you adjust the camber, it'll mess with the toe. Toe bolts are a cheap solution and will most likely get you back in spec.
Toe arms are for people who are running quite a bit of camber and toe bolts just won't get them back into spec.

After the rear is adjusted, they'll adjust the front toe since they can't really do the camber on it. I'm also assuming you have stock front camber arms anyways.

When you get an alignment, you want the fronts done too.. Not just the rear lol.

I've gotten my alignment done at a hibdons that has a flat rack, with a 1 year warranty. I can go back there any time, which is great.. I've gotten like 4 alignments already haha.

zefaulter · 07-13-2014, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w4kj4k

It's not that complicated.
An alignment usually runs around 70-80.

They almost always adjust rear camber/ toe at the same time. Because when you adjust the camber, it'll mess with the toe. Toe bolts are a cheap solution and will most likely get you back in spec.
Toe arms are for people who are running quite a bit of camber and toe bolts just won't get them back into spec.

After the rear is adjusted, they'll adjust the front toe since they can't really do the camber on it. I'm also assuming you have stock front camber arms anyways.

When you get an alignment, you want the fronts done too.. Not just the rear lol.

I've gotten my alignment done at a hibdons that has a flat rack, with a 1 year warranty. I can go back there any time, which is great.. I've gotten like 4 alignments already haha.

Yea, that price sounds about right for stock arms around here. I have never seen a place here that will do warranty on alignment. I have even asked for lifetime alignment and they just laugh

Thing is, I want to understand how changing camber/toe in the rear can misalign front wheels. I had an alignment done a few months ago on all wheels

w4kj4k · 07-13-2014, 12:48 PM

I'm not sure where you are but firestone around here actually has a lifetime warranty for about 120-140 which isn't bad.
They just don't have a flat rack :[

I asked the tech guy that before too since it didn't make much since to me either.. But who knows maybe it doesn't affect it.

I'm always in the pit with the guy giving them tips on how to adjust things, I can't remember if the front changed after they adjusted the rear or not though

07-11-2014, 01:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
zefaulter A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,983 Drives: 40th 370Z Rep Power: 27	Camber arm alignment requirement? Had alignment done maybe 2k miles ago. I'm planning to install SPL rear camber arms now to correct negative camber. I have called Nissan stealership and another shop and I keep hearing that they Need to do 4 wheel alignment. Last shop said when adjusting rear camber/toe, front needs adjustment too. Is this true? I thinks it's BS...

07-13-2014, 05:43 AM	#9 (permalink)
synolimit A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2013 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 5,051 Drives: 2013 Silver 370z Rep Power: 3388	also some advice, dont let them recalibrate the computer!!! i dont know what they do but ive had to have it done 4 times till it was right! when they recalibrated i would go to turn slight right around a corner by my house doing 40 and the car thought i was slipping because of the steering angle or something. the ABS kicked in and locked the brakes. again i was turning right and with the brake all of a sudden turning on out of no where scaring the **** out of me, i went left into the other lane of traffic!! took 4 times till it stopped. zefaulter likes this. __________________ 13 370z-

07-13-2014, 11:50 AM	#13 (permalink)
w4kj4k Base Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 220 Drives: 2012 PW Nismo Rep Power: 14	It's not that complicated. An alignment usually runs around 70-80. They almost always adjust rear camber/ toe at the same time. Because when you adjust the camber, it'll mess with the toe. Toe bolts are a cheap solution and will most likely get you back in spec. Toe arms are for people who are running quite a bit of camber and toe bolts just won't get them back into spec. After the rear is adjusted, they'll adjust the front toe since they can't really do the camber on it. I'm also assuming you have stock front camber arms anyways. When you get an alignment, you want the fronts done too.. Not just the rear lol. I've gotten my alignment done at a hibdons that has a flat rack, with a 1 year warranty. I can go back there any time, which is great.. I've gotten like 4 alignments already haha. zefaulter likes this.

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07-11-2014, 09:33 PM	#4 (permalink)
zefaulter A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,983 Drives: 40th 370Z Rep Power: 27	Anyone?

07-12-2014, 08:22 AM	#7 (permalink)
ksagis Base Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: LA Posts: 88 Drives: 370Z Roadster Rep Power: 11	My experience was different than chops. I wanted to have alignment shop modify my rear camber a few weeks after getting my alignment done. They adjusted the rear camber and then were going to work on fronts alignment. I asked why and he showed me the read-outs, the act of adjusting the rears had thrown the fronts out. I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it myself. I don't think they changed the toe on the back, just camber. I could see the front need adjustment if they had adjusted my camber and toe, wish I had observed them closer. Not a ton of help, but a data point.

07-13-2014, 09:53 AM	#11 (permalink)
zefaulter A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,983 Drives: 40th 370Z Rep Power: 27	Hmm this seems way more complicated than I thought. Thanks for the replies guys

07-13-2014, 12:48 PM	#15 (permalink)
w4kj4k Base Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 220 Drives: 2012 PW Nismo Rep Power: 14	I'm not sure where you are but firestone around here actually has a lifetime warranty for about 120-140 which isn't bad. They just don't have a flat rack :[ I asked the tech guy that before too since it didn't make much since to me either.. But who knows maybe it doesn't affect it. I'm always in the pit with the guy giving them tips on how to adjust things, I can't remember if the front changed after they adjusted the rear or not though