Adjusting Camber Bolts

Camber bolts effect the tire wear of your vehicle. Learning to adjust these bolts during an alignment, can influence your tire wear. Following these tips will help you adjust the camber bolts, and improve your tire wear. Although a moderate knowledge of auto mechanics will be helpful, most novices should know how to adjust the camber bolts without too much difficulty.

Step 1--Determine Alignment

Adjusting your camber bolts will be a moot point, if you do not know to what degree you're adjusting them. Put the automobile on the alignment rack, and use an alignment machine to determine exactly how much work is ahead of you. The alignment rack will help you determine the toe, caster, and camber of your tires. Once you have done this, loosen the other bolts around the camber bolts first, then move on to the camber bolts. Make sure you save loosening the camber bolts until last.

Step 2--Adjust the Tire

Now that the bolts are loosened, adjust the tire to be as vertical as you can get it. This may require the assistance of another person. Once the tire is in position, tighten all of the bolts, and make sure the alignment is properly notated with your alignment-measuring equipment. If necessary, slightly adjust the camber bolts, until the alignment is both vertical and reading properly. Camber bolt adjustments will almost always affect your alignment to some degree, but they should not affect it noticeably. It may not be necessary to adjust the camber bolts, so note the alignment throughout the process. Only adjust the camber bolts if necessary. When tightening the bolts, be they camber or other strut bolts, remember to tighten them to specifications.