dwllama

So Tuesday I changed my front struts (replaced with KYB strut plus assemblies. super easy except for getting the damper fork lined back up with the lca which took a bit of muscle. quite happy so far) and so today I dropped the car off to get it aligned. Well they called me a while later and told me they can't align it because it needs a camber kit. That doesn't sound right to me, the least bone stock things I have done to this car is ROH conversion and K&N air filter. it isnt lowered or anything else that should affect the suspension.

If the camber is off wouldn't it make sense that something is worn out and possibly needs replacing?

I did get a printout of the specs but I didn't get the chance to talk with the tech, he was already gone when I came back to pick my car up again.

caster:
LF 2.8 RF 2.2
camber:
LF -0.3 RF -0.3
LR -1.2 RR -0.4
toe:
LF -0.05" RF 0.00"
LR 0.25" RR 0.00"

I guess I shoulda stayed instead of dropping it off because if I'd been there I would've told him to just do the toe adjustment anyway. There's definitely no way I am spending $185 on a camber kit right now, it was questionable whether I had funds for the struts as it was but I had handling (and hence safety) issues from the old ones. Thing is I'm not sure how off those numbers are. Anybody know what factory specs for a 96 sedan are? The only one that looks off by much is the left rear.

I've read elsewhere on the forum you don't need a camber kit for lowering the car I can't imagine why I would need one if I haven't.

If anyone can shed some light on the situation and what would be "ideal" to do, etc, I'd sure appreciate it!


Edit: I'm also 100% sure the rear struts need replacing too I just can't do it right now. Is that a possible reason for the left rear being farther off compared to the rest of the wheels?

Fitz Williams

iTrader: (1)

I would find out why the left rear is different. Possible problem? But other than that you don't need a camber kit.

ReaperMan

don't listen to them. camber is fine not that far off usually shops try to squeeze money out of you. this happened to me when i took my car to a cheap tire shop they wouldn't even want to touch it without installing a camber kit. funny thing is i have kyb struts with stock springs hahaha i took my car to midas i believe can't remember right now but they did it in less then half an hour

dwllama

Thanks for the input. The shop is one I would usually trust, I work for a parts store and we take parts to him and he's pretty cool, has done work for me and several of my co workers in the past. I wish he'd just called me about it cuz I would've had him do the toe and not worry about the camber while he still had it. Anyway I'll talk to him when I get the chance and see what the deal is.

Given the amount of creaking and groaning that comes from the LR area when I get in and out of the car I'm pretty sure there's something worn out that needs replaced back there, just haven't got into it to find out yet.