Tmarks91

would you reccommend a camber kit for my car? ive been lowered on coils for about a year now and have had only a couple alignments done to the car..havent seem to run into any troubles yet and my tires are bout a yr old as well and seem to look pretty good on the outside, im just not sure if i will need the camber kit in the long run to make my tires last.

xavier_247

I've always used a camber kit out of insecurity but was recently told that a good alignment was sufficient. I've also never been lowered more than 2.0" in any of my cars and the this TL is new for me. I might only do the rears since they are usually the culprits for trouble but would like experienced TL owners input.

kanonen

Rather than post a new thread I am using this one.
I might be over sensitive, but the rear of my car feels too loose. It could be a combination of several things: bushing, old dampers, negative camber. On top of that the rear toe are ceased and alignment can't be done (according to dealer).
So this leaves me with what I think a loose rear end, some bump steer, cupped tires, inside rear tires pretty shot and a hum from the back...
I have no idea what to do actually, I am thinking of having them cut the bolts, but also install an ingalls camber kit (even though I installed the tsb new longer control arms-i still have negative camber).

what do u guys think?

kanonen

---corrected errors from previous message as the edit function is not working:

Rather than post a new thread I am using this one.
I might be over sensitive, but the rear of my car feels too loose. It could be a combination of several things: bushing, old dampers, negative camber. On top of that the rear toe bolts are seized and alignment can't be done (according to dealer).
So this leaves me with what I think is a loose rear end, some bump steer, cupped tires, inside rear tires pretty shot and a hum from the back...
I have no idea what to do actually, I am thinking of having them cut the bolts, but also install an ingalls camber kit (even though I installed the tsb new longer control arms-i still have negative camber).

what do u guys think?

MrHeeltoe

iTrader: (1)

I would definitely at bare minimum make sure you could get the alignment right. Much of your issue could be linked to poor toe in the rear.

kanonen

I went ahead and fixed the seized control arm. Toe is back to normal, and as a result camber is in the green too. The car feel much much more tighter but I still have a hum, even though 30% less. Maybe the cupped tires will even out!

TeeEll

Great info.

simplyclean44

most tls have bad camber from the factory

REDSGENESIS

Great read!... You have to do your homework... Can't just piss your money away!...

WhiteUA6Ninja

If you are drop past Aspec suspension i would consider getting camber kit.

cust0mx

If I drop the car about 2" on Tein SA, would you recommend getting an alignment first to correct toe? At what point can you tell that you need to get a camber kit if you already have the alignment done?

Ffek91106

Good to know...

DMZ

Did I need a camber kit? You betcha!

My right rear camber couldn't get close to spec. In fact, the right rear tire was visibly sticking out on way too much of an angle from the bottom for comfort.

I found the Moog K90706 lower arm replacements in an open box on ebaY and offered the seller $49. He took it, with free shipping to boot!




After install, all my alignment specs were able to be adjusted back into the GREEN territory once again.

.
.

1sick3rdGEN

I was just about to order some TEIN S-techs and thought I would need a camber kit. Great way to save some cash. Excellent info to know. Thanks MrHeeltoe!

tl_210

Awesome info!!!

BeemsTL

iTrader: (1)

how adjustable is the stock toe? if I lower my car 3 inches will I be able to get it back in spec? where can I purchase toe arms? they always seem to come in kits with camber arms.

DeMAN

it will not stay. Tires will start to wear within 5k miles (Rear). my front are normal even after 20k miles without any real wear...

BeemsTL

iTrader: (1)

I just dumped the car. Rear toe in is crazy. I almost can't drive it. Does someone make eccentric bolt for the stock toe arms? Aftermarket toe arms?

Xtr3m3st

Hi all so I do know that I need camber kits as I am dropped 2.5-3inches all around but just can't seem to figure if i need both rear upper and lower camber arms or just the lower arm or just the upper arm any advice/help would be much appreciated and below are what I am planning on purchasing from mrheeltoe.

http://www.heeltoeauto.com/skunk2-pr...roductid=64882

http://www.heeltoeauto.com/ingalls-r...roductid=50003

http://www.heeltoeauto.com/spc-adjus...roductid=65317

lowchef

lol wish I read the thread sooner. . Good info!

MrHeeltoe

iTrader: (1)

Yes I would, unless you know that having some rear camber is going to bug you. Many customers at a 2" drop do end up getting camber kits because the camber is more than they want to see. The pivot point is usually around 1.5" drop.

Plenty, unless you are VERY AGGRESSIVELY LOWERING the car. Anything in the 2.5" lowering range or less I am pretty sure you will have plenty of toe range. 3" is pretty aggressive. At that point you are tucking tires pretty hard. The Ingalls rear lower arm kit includes both a toe and a camber arm. You probably want that one. http://www.heeltoeauto.com/_search.p...=38725&x=0&y=0

The stock toe arm already had an eccestroc bolt on the inboard side. If that anjustment is not enough then you'll need an Ingalls rear camber and toe arm kit: http://www.heeltoeauto.com/_search.p...=38725&x=0&y=0


You will need camber kits if you need to adjust camber...is sort of the simple answer.

On the rear there is an upper (SPC) and a lower (Ingalls) option as you can see. Get the SPC if you want to move the top of the wheel in or out. Get the Ingalls to move the bottom of the wheel in or out (and the toe as well). Or, just get our ultimate camber kit combo to basically put the wheel wherever you want: http://www.heeltoeauto.com/_search.p...+combo&x=0&y=0

CesarRod

After reading this I'm buy rear kits. check your messages MrHeeltoe

robocam

I'm considering a camber kit mainly to avoid issues when the time comes for the mileage adjustment. My tires have a 55k mile warranty, so I'm worried that when I go to the shop for an adjustment, they will say, "Too bad, your alignment is out of factory specs!" even if my tires show no unusual wear.

Has anyone ever been denied their mileage warranty because of an alignment issue where their tires showed normal wear?

My 06 is 100% stock, but my rear camber is out of spec on both sides. Both sides are at -1.6 when the specified range is -1.5 to -0.5. If I do a 2" drop, it will go even further out of spec.

Bullet1974

get a camber kit for front and rear, i lowerd my TL last year and my tires got worn on the inside, i need to get them as well

boechler

This thread is very helpful for us newer to the world of working on our cars. Changed my direction of purchase to a less expensive choice. Thank you.

EL BAN

Thanks for all the valuable information!

I have aquestion regarding my current setup.. I am dropped on Eibach Pro Kit and took in for aligment after installing new tires and rims..

I run a pretty aggresive setup on the track car but on the TL being a daily I would think it would be best to try to get it as close to 0 in camber and keep toe at 0..

The car was aligned locally just to be sure it was not too off until I get it down to a buddy in Orlando to ensure it comes out with toe at exactly 0..

Being that said, I know stock our cars come with some negative camber already..

Picture below is how my car ended up this weekend, is this setup pretty good or should I look at having some more camber in the back to be closer to OEM specs?

I would think if I could bring it to almost 0 camber it would be better.. The car has some custom rods to adjust camber (done by my track car alignment guru back home) thats why I believe it currently is close to 0 but the guy aligning during the weekend was stressing about the car being off from the stock specs..

Any feedback will be appreciated..

Attachment 105628

Dakota56

Great info honestly

ThatPearlWhiteTLGirl

Great info!! I just bought a set of Tein S Tech lowering springs and was alittle worried about having to buy a camber kit but glad to know I don't need on for just a 1.3inch drop. Thanks again!!!!!

nfnsquared

I wouldn't be too sure. Keep an eye on the camber and toe. If you put any weight in the back seat and/or trunk, you'll need a kit or face inside wear on the rear tires.

And if you get a kit, don't use Ingals or any of the similar kits. It's not ready for prime time. Use the SPC arms instead.

Usmcgrunt47

ive read a lot of comments on here saying camber doesnt mess up the wear on your tires. Im confused how having your tires like this // \\ wont wear unevenly. Seems to me that uncalibrated toe would jack up your tread patterns and negative camber would wear the shit outta the inside of your tires...if im missing something id appreciate a heads up, cuz i wouldnt be so hesitant about lowering my TL without adjustable ball joints/camber kit if i knew a little neg camber wouldnt waste tires. Im thinking about the tein 1.2/1.3 lowering springs with kyb struts then 18x7.5 + 38mm

robocam

What's the most negative camber I can run without noticeable uneven tire wear? My stock camber was -1.6, and I've seen -2 as an acceptable value for a Mazda.

Trav2390

Lots of great info!
Thanks!

MrHeeltoe

iTrader: (1)

I cover that here:
https://www.heeltoeauto.com/blogs/do-i-need-a-camber-kit.html

zubi23

my tow is at 0 degrees and the guy at firestone said I need a camber kit or adjustable control arm to adjust the caster. My car is not lowered it is a type S. My previous tires were completely worn out due to a supposed alignment issue. I got new tires and an alignment and tow is at 0, yet the wheel needs to be held a little right in order to go straight. Do you know if this is an alignment issue or something else?

MrHeeltoe

iTrader: (1)

Caster only applies to the front end and there is no kit available to adjust it (not that you can currently buy anyway).

I would suggest NOT setting the toe at zero. because many roads are crowned they taper to the right, and if the car is set to zero toe it follows the road a little more true and pull right. It is better to toe in or out just a tad, one tick, on both sides. It improves the handling and will resist pulling.

tegman2

iTrader: (1)

What is 1 tick? .01 .10??

VisualEchos

iTrader: (1)

While I agree with the original post for the most part, I will say that excessive negative camber will absolutely have an increased wear effect on your tires. I saw increased wear on the insides of my rear tires as early as 7,000 miles, and the toe was perfect. My rear camber after my drop was -2.2° on one side, and -2.6° on the other. I purchased a camber kit to correct this issue. If I were at -1.5° I wouldn't have bothered, but over -2° and you're going to see wear on the insides for sure.

This photo perfectly illustrates the wear pattern of my tires, showing those areas that contact the road surface, and those that don't.


Beef, it's what's for dinner. (Explore) by Andrew Thompson, on Flickr

t-rd

There is a way to adjust the caster, with SuperPro offset polyurethane compliance bushings. They are made in Australia. But you shouldn't have to do so anyway.

If the "sheet" says the toe is 0, but you still have to hold your steering wheel to the right, that means the person that did the adjustment didn't know what he was doing. I encountered a 2-cent alignment guy at NTB years ago that made my car's alignment worse than when I took it in, 3 TIMES. What happens is that the steering wheel isn't anchored all the way down, when they roll the car on the rack to make adjustment, the steering wheel moved. The guy adjusted the toe to 0 while the steering wheel moved clockwise.

The only shop I trust now for alignment is a speed shop locally with guys driving all dumped Civics. They really understand the importance of a good and proper alignment.

carwars

2006 RL not lowered. I did not see the wear on directional tires until the ware was very noticeable on the inside of all. During the allignment I was told this car could not be alligned for toe on the rear. Went to someone else an was told the same. Broke the tires and remounted to get the ware on the other side. So no more directional tires?

VisualEchos

iTrader: (1)

There isn't a car made to my knowledge that doesn't have a toe adjustment. However, the toe adjuster is known to be problematic on these cars, and may need to be replaced.