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Camber adjustment?

8K views 17 replies 6 participants last post by  madmatt2024 
#1 ·
I took my 96 escort for a wheel alignment. The service adviser tells me my front struts needs to be removed and slotted so the camber can be adjusted. Is this true? I thought the struts are adjustable by loosening the 2 bolts..How does the adjustment work for the struts on the escort? Or do I need eccentric bolts?
 
#2 ·
The strut mounts have an adjustment, you unbolt them from the strut tower and spin them. But if that isn't enough then you need camber bolts. They are about $15 and can be bought at almost any auto parts store.

How much out of whack is your camber? A little extra negative camber can help cornering grip.
 
#4 ·
madmatt2024 said:
The strut mounts have an adjustment, you unbolt them from the strut tower and spin them. But if that isn't enough then you need camber bolts. They are about $15 and can be bought at almost any auto parts store.

How much out of whack is your camber? A little extra negative camber can help cornering grip.
The upper strut adjustment is very small, less than 1 deg if memory serves.

You have 3 alternatives if you need more:

1) Slot the existing upper hole in the strut. I am talking about the 2 bolt holes that attach the strut to the spindle or knuckle. If you slot the upper, you can rely on the bolt to "pinch" and hold the relationship. If you hammer on the suspension (railroad tracks, curbs, "botts dots") you can force the slotted hole to shift back, causing your alignment to alter.

2) Use the "crash bolts" you described. Use 1 in the upper hole. These will usually allow +-1.25 deg. Rockauto.com sells MOOG K980110 for $14.97. These are an r and r solution if 1.25 deg solves it. You can turn them so that the adjustment range is an infinite as your patience.

Based on your alignment sheet, the bolts would do it. On the left, you would get from +0.15 to -2.35. On the right +1.65 to -0.825, assuming there was ZERO adjustment in your suspension. Most of the time, the tech can loosen the bolts in the existing holes, and get 0.2 or 0.3 deg at least, depending on production tolerances.

3) Use "Camber Wedges" http://www.power-21.com/federalmogulpow ... &pt=Camber Wedge Kit&b=MC Moog K8353. These will generate up to 3 deg of adjustment. The use a wedge and a smaller bolt, so that the wedge fits between the strut and the spindle, and smaller bolt does not require "slotting" in most cases. The wedges are stepped, so you get some incremental adjustments.
 
#5 ·
The left front camber is way out of spec. You may be able to get it back in spec by spinning the strut plate but that depends on what it is currently set at. Of course the alignment tech should know this.
http://www.feoa.net/modules.php?name=Fo ... ic&t=58754
If it doesn't work then I would go with the bolts.
 
#6 ·
My struts are still original on the car. I will soon buy some new struts with the eccentric bolts. Do the eccentric bolts go in place of the regular strut bolts? Exactly how do the eccentric bolts work and where do they bolt to?
 
#15 ·
I would probably go with what ever one they have in stock. Its just a bolt.
 
#17 ·
I bought the camber bolts and installed them. I brought the car to get it realigned, and the tech aligned the steering wheel good (a little better than before) but still was off and did not drive straight. The tech found the pass rear spring broken. The broken rear spring is causing the camber to be off and preventing the car from driving straight. I'm on a tight budget and planning on going to the junk yard to get a spring. I was wondering will springs from a 97 to 00 escort work?
 
#18 ·
They will work but I think they are stiffer so if you do use them be sure to replace both.
 
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