I just started driving my hatch after having it sitting for a while.. I am slowly starting to notice many problems with it.

A really noticable problem I have found is with the camber of the rear wheels. I looked at it from the back and noticed that both are bowed in very badly(negative camber I believe(top of tires angle in toward the car)).

I asked my auto tech teacher if we could do anything about it and we looked at the alignment machine for an anwser.. No luck, it said that there is no manufacturers prescribe method for correcting this problem.

The teacher said that it could be worn out springs.. Anyone have any ideas what else it could be? I really need to know before I install my new tires(it is wearing the old ones out FAST)..

Thanks in advance!
Merry Christmas!

 

There is something you can do with washers. I can't remember if it is for + or - camber. Search the old topics under camber and you will find what i can't remember.

 

your teacher is THE WORST TEACHER EVER!!! bad springs?? omg...

anyway, there are 2 bolts that connect the UPPER CONROL ARM to the body of the car.. you can insert up to 2 washers on the stock bolts. if you get longer bolts, you can add more washers.. this is to fix the problem of which you describe ails your car..

 

what rexman, that doesnt make sense? I am experiencing it now with my car. The springs are 7 years old and the car is slammed (they are neuspeed sports). The springs have obviously sagged over time. May not be the correct theory, but it is a possibility.

 

I think he means that even if the teacher knows the problem is sagging springs, that still doesn't help solve anything. The fact that he didn't suggest an aftermarket camber adjustment kit raises an eyebrow as to his credibility.

 

where the contol arms bolt onto the frame with two 14 mm bolts. there about 2inchs apart form each other .. cant miss em " they will be right there in front of you .. remove the bolts and put 2-3 washers on them behind the plate that the bolt to. 2-3 meaing how bad the camber is .. becareful though cuz if you do too many then you will get postivie camber. good luck.

 

The techer wasn't saying that the springs would improve the camber.. that was a problem in my post.. sorry.. he was just pointing it out as a problem in the suspension. He is awesome but he doesn't get much time to teach due to the fact that it is a high school class that anyone can get in.. He rarely gets to teach a lessons with all of the equipment he has to use..

Trust me.. when I have a desperate problem.. This class is heaven.. He has EVERY tool you can think of and knows how to use it.. This problem just happened to be noticed during christmas break.. Guess I should pay more attention..

 

lemme know if this works for you .. a bigger problem could be worn out bushings but i doubt it. this is a really easy thing to do that not only looks better but will save you $$ in the long run.

 

check this out, it will explain it much better.
http://jdmfan.com/technical/suspension/rear_camber/

 

If he meant sagging springs was the problem he could be right because the lower the car is the more it gets negative camber. But do the bolt and washer thing and that should correct it.