camber

[Chris2012]

Getting ready (I think!) to do the rear struts on my 1992 Lumina 3.1. Instructions that came with the struts (Monroe Gasmatics?) state to measure the camber, then remeasure after they're in (I think). If it's off, it states the filing the holes in the lower strut to knuckle attaching hole, auxiliary spring retaining bracket, and stabilizer bar bracket (don't know if I have that last thing).

 

Are you kidding me??? I'm going to sit there with a file, working it, and probably screw it all up.

 

Ok. In general though (at ~183,000 miles) how much is the camber likely to be off? I'm taking that trip, 1300 miles, one way (THANK YOU LORD!), are my tires likely to make it even if it was off to whatever degree? I would think I'll need my car to last a bit longer (including the tires, but I guess I could find replacements), so I don't want to blow it all up or blow out on the way.

 

If I had time, I'm sure I could do six months of research and learn how to do a proper job on adjusting the camber. Thing is I don't have the time.

 

halp

[Andrew]

you are likely to get it very close, i dont remember there being alot of play. A stabilizer bar bracket is the fancy way of saying sway bar end link.

 

I wouldnt worry about it. I never did.

Edited November 25, 2012 by Andrew

[94 olds vert]

I don't think a 92 Lumina with a 3.1 is going to have a aux. spring. I'd take the car up to get an alignment after you do the rear struts and call it done.

 

Also, check your trailing arm, if it's bent replace it. Dorman sells some very nice boxed in arms.

[Chris2012]

I don't think a 92 Lumina with a 3.1 is going to have a aux. spring. I'd take the car up to get an alignment after you do the rear struts and call it done.

 

It does have the auxiliary damper. I obtained the compressor (glorified C-clamp) on eBay. It'll be for sale after I'm done.

 

I'm trying to avoid alignments and additional expenditures. This is not the car most people would want to drop any additional money into. It *HAS* given great service. IMHO one of the best cars ever made. I didn't baby it though sadly.

[Schurkey]

Instructions that came with the struts (Monroe Gasmatics?) state to measure the camber, then remeasure after they're in (I think).

Do you have a way to measure camber that's accurate? If not, there's no point in getting worked-up about it. Take it to an alignment shop when you're done, pay for THEM to worry about it.

 

If it's off, it states the filing the holes in the lower strut to knuckle attaching hole, auxiliary spring retaining bracket, and stabilizer bar bracket (don't know if I have that last thing).

 

Are you kidding me??? I'm going to sit there with a file, working it, and probably screw it all up.

If you're devoid of proper power tools, a file--and enough time--would get the job done. "I" would carve the parts with a die-grinder and rotary file. But there is NO POINT to YOU doing this unless you can measure camber accurately.

 

Ok. In general though (at ~183,000 miles) how much is the camber likely to be off?

There is NO WAY TO KNOW, unless you can measure camber accurately. If the springs are worn (sagging) or improperly selected, the camber is probably going to read out-of-spec. The proper fix will be to restore proper ride-height with replacement springs, not to change the camber to suit the improper ride-height.

 

I'm taking that trip, 1300 miles, one way (THANK YOU LORD!), are my tires likely to make it even if it was off to whatever degree? I would think I'll need my car to last a bit longer (including the tires, but I guess I could find replacements), so I don't want to blow it all up or blow out on the way.

Depends on HOW FAR OFF the camber is. If it's bad enough, you'll wear the tires bald on the inside (common) or the outside (very un-common) in 1300 miles. Camber that far off will be obvious to the naked (trained) eye.

 

Take the car to a competent alignment shop.

 

If I had time, I'm sure I could do six months of research and learn how to do a proper job on adjusting the camber. Thing is I don't have the time.

 

halp

Take the car to a competent alignment shop.

[RobertISaar]

yeah, rear camber isn't something i would put off as unimportant.... especially with winter coming up.

 

most shops will do 4 wheel alignments for ~$60-80 assuming nothing needs replaced to get it into spec. you can eat up a set of tires in a pretty short time if it's too far off. with a good alignment, rear tires will last quite some time..... i seem to have to get rid of them due to dryrotting/weather checking before they get to the point of unsafe tread level if the alignment is correct.

[94 olds vert]

I know how hard it can be to get a car to align right. I've tried doing it myself, and I have done a fairly good job at getting it close. Spend the money and have a qualified shop do it. It's well worth the money. It's nice having a car that tracks right.