Is Camber Adjustable?

Heysdad · January 17, 2010

Hey guys, is camber adjustable on a 2008 Sierra 4x4 Z-71?

I had a Rancho 4" lift kit installed last week, and when I look at my truck from the front, it has some positive camber (Top of tire tilting out).

I also have an issue when turning almost full lock, like when in a u-turn. The front tire in the direction of the turn feels like it's tucking or skipping, and are riding on the outer most part of the tire during the turn, and leaving a large skid mark on the ground.

I've been back to the shop for them to re-do the alignment 2 times now and they keep adjusting Toe to try to correct this turning issue.

Should they be adjusting the camber if it's adjustable, or would that be built into the knuckle that was part of the lift kit?

Thank you for your help...I need to do something with this because my front tires are not very happy right now.

Nytemare · January 17, 2010

As far as I know its supposed to be adjusted with shims...not sure for an IFS vehicle though. This is surly not good for your ball joints.

Matt_ · January 17, 2010

yes it IS adjustable. If they're not adjusting camber then it means they're not adjusting caster either....

tell them you want a print out of the alignment specs. if the camber/caster is not within spec then you definitely will feel it in the steering at full lock.

Nytemare · January 17, 2010

yes it IS adjustable. If they're not adjusting camber then it means they're not adjusting caster either....

tell them you want a print out of the alignment specs. if the camber/caster is not within spec then you definitely will feel it in the steering at full lock.

You wouldn't know how its done would you???

I haven't ever really paid much attention to alignment.

Matt_ · January 17, 2010

Eccentrics on both of the UCA connections.

You adjust camber by adjusting both connects the same amount. Caster is changed by adjusting the eccentrics different amounts. To adjust caster without changing the camber you need one mount to go "in" as far as the other mount comes "out".

It sounds complicated... and kind of is. So a LOT of techs are too scared to even touch the camber/caster on this style truck. But once you get the hang of it, its really not all that hard. i can usually get the caster & camber adjusted on my first attempt... sometimes it takes the second attempt just to get it "perfect"

Matt_ · January 17, 2010

i dont have any good shots of my suspension... but in this picture you can see the eccentric on the forward UCA mount. There's also one on the rear UCA mount

Hey page... do you have a picture of your UCA taken from the front of the truck? If you snap a quick shot i can tell you if they adjusted your camber/caster at all.

Nytemare · January 17, 2010

No man...it makes lots of sense...I understand it perfectly.

I just totally forgot about those eccentrics. I have never been an alignment guy...oil and tire boy from 12-14, than moved up to engine repairs till I was about 16...than moved on to engine rebuilds and Pit Crew of a dirt track car...moved on to weapons tech in the Navy at 22 and the rest is history...

Now I do Mechanic stuff for a hobby...not to pay the bills...I like it much more now. Me and a buddy work out of a shop on the base and fix vehicles for guys/gals in the military for no profit.

Matt_ · January 17, 2010

I hear ya... im a similar story. growing up my neighbor owned a shop and his son and I were best friends (he was the best man in my wedding 2 years ago). So we built/fixed everything under the sun... bikes when we were 5-10, dirtbikes/quads/tractors/etc when we were 10-15, cars/trucks/engines/etc when we were 15+. Then i put myself through college working as an auto tech (ASE certs, never got my Master Tech cert though; final exams always seemed to interfere!).... Now I just do the "mechanic" work as a hobby and fix stuff for my friends/family.

Only downside was that I required a 2 car garage when home shopping, so it limited which houses we could look at. There was no possible way I was fitting all of my tools in a 1 car garage and still have the ability to work in there

Nytemare · January 17, 2010

I hear ya... im a similar story. growing up my neighbor owned a shop and his son and I were best friends (he was the best man in my wedding 2 years ago). So we built/fixed everything under the sun... bikes when we were 5-10, dirtbikes/quads/tractors/etc when we were 10-15, cars/trucks/engines/etc when we were 15+. Then i put myself through college working as an auto tech (ASE certs, never got my Master Tech cert though; final exams always seemed to interfere!).... Now I just do the "mechanic" work as a hobby and fix stuff for my friends/family.

Only downside was that I required a 2 car garage when home shopping, so it limited which houses we could look at. There was no possible way I was fitting all of my tools in a 1 car garage and still have the ability to work in there

Oh god does that ever sound like a similar situation I'm looking for a house now...I am having the same issue...If I get a 1 car garage, I can get around working on things in there, but 90% of the places we're looking at only have 2 parking spots...thats 1 in the drive and one in the garage...seeing I have 2 vehicles now..and the wife wants one...thats no good.

So we have had to up our budget to 500K from 400, and back off for a few months to gather up a little more cash for the down payment and closing costs.

Being a gearhead costs too much money man...