Suspension & Brakes Theory, alignment, spring rates....

Camber Washer Trick

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Old May 15, 2008 | 01:25 AM
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Default Camber Washer Trick

Hi, I did washer trick on my 2000 civic, and it is great so far.

Then I found a post someone saying his bolt broke and he was not recommending others to try it.

I used 2 washers with stock bolts.

Can anyone share their experience with washer trick? especially those who used stock bolts?
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Old May 16, 2008 | 09:27 AM
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Default Re: Camber Washer Trick (TotalBalance)

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Old May 18, 2008 | 01:10 PM
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Default Re: Camber Washer Trick (TotalBalance)

i think u suspposed to use a diffetn bolt dats a little bit longer and stronger den wat u have on the stock one. sumone correct me if m wrong
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Old May 18, 2008 | 02:57 PM
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Default Re: Camber Washer Trick (mtsepulveda85)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mtsepulveda85 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i think u suspposed to use a diffetn bolt dats a little bit longer and stronger den wat u have on the stock one. sumone correct me if m wrong</TD></TR></TABLE>

correct sir...do not use your stock bolts.

you'll need to use 10 x 1.25 45mm bolts, you can get them at any homedepot, orchard...

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Old May 19, 2008 | 09:51 PM
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Default Re: Camber Washer Trick (bmoua)

yes i am aware of that too. but i am having hard time finding the one that suits my taste.

I read numerous posts and they said up to 2 washers are fine with stock bolts. This is why I am asking the question. Is there anybody with 2 washers on STOCK bolt had any problems? ie broken/siezed bolts?

let me know plz!
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Old May 19, 2008 | 10:08 PM
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i used two washers with my stock bolts with no problems but then again i don't drive the car much to have any input
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Old May 20, 2008 | 06:40 AM
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I have done this many times. If you only use 2 washers than you can get away with using the stock bolts. If you need any more than 2 you really need to swap the bolts for longer ones.
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Old Oct 21, 2008 | 06:38 AM
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Default Re: (9k4play)

whats the correct size bolt? i cant find one that fits correctly
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Old Oct 21, 2008 | 08:43 AM
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Why bother with it? If you get an alignment you shouldn't have any tire wear problems, even with negative camber.
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Old Oct 21, 2008 | 01:22 PM
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Default Re: (PatrickGSR94)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PatrickGSR94 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Why bother with it? If you get an alignment you shouldn't have any tire wear problems, even with negative camber.</TD></TR></TABLE>

It's useful for achieving equal camber on both sides. With my CB7 I had 0.5° rear camber on one side and 0.8° on the other. Fitting 2.5mm thick washers (one per bolt) on one side and I now have 0.5° on both sides.
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Old Oct 21, 2008 | 07:04 PM
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just fork out the ~10 bucks for 4 new grade8 bolts with matching washers and be set. that little bit of cash forked over is well worth the insurance of knowing your car will hold up no matter what you throw at it.
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Old Oct 21, 2008 | 07:07 PM
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Also, if you're not "dumped" your wear will not be very significant in the rear. incorrect toe adjustment is a tire killer. not saying correcting camber isn't a + but you will suffice with just a front toe adjustment.

I purchased a camber kit for my Auto-x car so I can add camber.
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Old Oct 22, 2008 | 09:01 PM
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This is why I like H-T, good posts! And to the OP, did you ever consider that the guy who told you this stuff did the trick right?
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Old Oct 23, 2008 | 08:02 AM
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Did the washer trick a few years back. It worked great.

Spray the bolts with something like PB Blaster first and let them sit for a few.
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Old Oct 23, 2008 | 09:32 PM
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how exactly does the washer trick work? is there a writeup?
i just put some illuminas on with eibachs. and the backs friggen like tucked. and has a good negative camber on em.
i have access to a front end alignment machine . so if i can just align it then tahts cool. but if not. how does the washer thing work.
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Old Oct 24, 2008 | 03:07 PM
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Default Re: (SoHc94)

The rear suspension upper control arm chassis mounting bush is bolted to to the chassis with two bolts. The bush (and upper control arm) pivots on a short bar, and it's this bar that is directly bolted (at each end) to the chassis. If you place spacer washers behind this bar then the bar / bush / upper control arm will be moved outward relative to the chassis, and this in turn moves the upper end of the 'knuckle' outward, which in turn increases positive camber (i.e. reduces neg camber). Adding washers can only decrease neg camber, if no washers are fitted then you can't use the 'washer trick' to increase neg camber.
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Old Apr 22, 2010 | 03:53 AM
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Default Re: Camber Washer Trick

These are my camber #s
right rear camber:-2.1
left rear camber: -1.5

I was going to put 2 washers on the left side and 3 washers on the right side respectively...

would this bring my camber to as equal as possible for left and right ?

or should I just do 2 washers all around?

My car is dropped on tein s tech springs on tokico blues...
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Old Apr 22, 2010 | 04:52 AM
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Default Re: Camber Washer Trick

I just went to Advance Auto and bought bolts in the correct size and I have been running with those in for 3-4 years now, no problems. The main reason why I did it on my car was because I hated the way the rear tires looked angled in so much more than the fronts. I'm dropped around 3" and I have 2 washers per bolt.

Last edited by 96hb; Apr 22, 2010 at 06:33 AM.
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Old Apr 22, 2010 | 05:02 AM
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Default Re: Camber Washer Trick

Originally Posted by wtsapexipowerfc
These are my camber #s
right rear camber:-2.1
left rear camber: -1.5

I was going to put 2 washers on the left side and 3 washers on the right side respectively...

would this bring my camber to as equal as possible for left and right ?

or should I just do 2 washers all around?

My car is dropped on tein s tech springs on tokico blues...
Just do one washer on the right rear and leave the left if you're concerned about it being exactly equal. -1.5 is a good number for rear camber.
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Old Apr 22, 2010 | 06:27 AM
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Default Re: Camber Washer Trick

i suggest getting bolts from napa or advanced in the right automotive grade. home depot bolts are made in china and aren't as strong as they say, they're also priced cheaper because of that. I've seen home depot bolts break many times, and i've had to drill them out too. it's not the most fun thing to do.
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Old Apr 22, 2010 | 06:32 AM
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Default Re: Camber Washer Trick

Originally Posted by perseverance
i suggest getting bolts from napa or advanced in the right automotive grade. home depot bolts are made in china and aren't as strong as they say, they're also priced cheaper because of that. I've seen home depot bolts break many times, and i've had to drill them out too. it's not the most fun thing to do.
You know what, you totally just reminded me that I did get my bolts from Advance Auto. I need to edit my above post.
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Old Apr 22, 2010 | 06:35 AM
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Default Re: Camber Washer Trick

Originally Posted by 96hb
You know what, you totally just reminded me that I did get my bolts from Advance Auto. I need to edit my above post.
yea man. my buddy had home depot bolts all over his 240sx and sheesh, we went through two drills, and numerous bits extracting all the bolts. thank god for my tap and die set lol.
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Old Apr 30, 2010 | 06:59 PM
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Default Re: Camber Washer Trick

Originally Posted by PatrickGSR94
Why bother with it? If you get an alignment you shouldn't have any tire wear problems, even with negative camber.
If it's like my car, I have significantly more negative camber rear than front. My fronts are -1.9*, and my rears are -2.5*.

I could see wanting to reduce negative camber on the rear to dial in a little more oversteer (or less understeer). I'm not 100% sure, but wouldn't lowering the camber in the rear a touch cause the back to step out a bit more? My thinking is that more camber on the rear would cause more grip in hard cornering, and therefore reducing camber in the rear would slightly reduce rear grip. Right?

I'm thinking about adding washers in my rear before my next alignment for this reason, but I'd be interested to hear what people think. I'm kinda interested in trying to get my rear to about -2*.

Otherwise, on the whole, I completely agree that a little camber is a good thing. Your posts on the subject, and my experience over the past 2 years has made me a believer.
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Old Apr 30, 2010 | 07:36 PM
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Default Re: Camber Washer Trick

I think you would be fine with only 2 washers on stock bolts, I beilve omni power sold or still sells, a kit, but its like $15

I do plan on putting washers in soon, im just lazy. I cant stand how the rear has more camber then front, just looks goofy to me.
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