Positive camber - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

wanted · 01-31-2011, 07:18 PM

I never really noticed before but is it normal to have positive camber \-/ on a 71 Chevy Dana 44? I am still building the truck but had it parked outside and could notice the top of the wheels farther out than the bottoms. Maybe the 35s make it look more pronounced? Does anyone have a picture straight ahead I could compare to?

72chevyk10 · 01-31-2011, 10:19 PM

mine does the same thing.. takin it in Wednesday to get a alignment.

wanted · 02-01-2011, 06:43 AM

Please reply if they make any changes like adding a shim. Thanks

**special-K** · 02-01-2011, 07:43 AM

I've never noticed one do this. Is this with the wheels straight? Got pics? From what I've seen it's rare to ever need to shim a solid axle. I thought this problem was reserved for F250 4wds

Transformula · 02-01-2011, 12:56 PM

Mine (dana 44, about 74 axle in a 71 truck) had what appeared to be a lot of positive camber, and it looked worse when I put taller tyres on it. I wound up putting in 3/4 degree shims behind the spindle. It now has about .1 degree negative camber which is not even noticeable. That tells me that there was a .6 degree positive camber with no shims. If you're going to adjust, always do it in this order: Caster, Camber, then toe, always last.

wanted · 02-01-2011, 07:52 PM

I will take a picture this weekend. I need to move some snow to get out of the garage. I may take the spindle off as well to make sure there is not a shim in there. I built the axle a few years ago and maybe I put it in upside down if it is there at all.

72chevyk10 · 02-07-2011, 10:55 PM

sorry i havent got the truck in the alignment shop yet. will update when i do

wanted · 02-16-2011, 02:03 AM

I haven't taken any pictures yet. But I inspected the spindles and there was no shims behind. But after thinking about the problem awhile I remember after installing the 4" lift springs the toe in was off and I adjusted them out. I think the springs moved the caster too much. Right now my camber is 1.5* \-/ positive on both wheels. Has anyone had to install angle shims on the springs after installing 4" Tuff Country EZ ride? Or does anyone have the correct caster angle measurement for the axle? I am wondering if these angles are changed intentionally by the spring manufacturer to compensate for pinion angle? I'm obviously no expert and will have a pro align it later on but I just want to correct as much as I can now.

Transformula · 02-17-2011, 02:29 PM

It's a matter of one or the other between pinion and caster angles or to find a happy balance between the two. The factory caster is 8 degrees postitve! When my truck was lifted, and the driveline angle straightened out, caster was reduced to 2 degrees. Wasn't too bad, but had to guide it down the highway, and steering returing to center was less. I found a nice compromise at 4-5 degrees caster and a little driveline angle. It works, no vibration from the angle, even on the hoghway and steering is nice and stable. Also, I set my camber to right around -.5 degrees negative and 1/32" toe in.

01-31-2011, 07:18 PM	#1
wanted Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: duluth, mn Posts: 63	Positive camber I never really noticed before but is it normal to have positive camber \-/ on a 71 Chevy Dana 44? I am still building the truck but had it parked outside and could notice the top of the wheels farther out than the bottoms. Maybe the 35s make it look more pronounced? Does anyone have a picture straight ahead I could compare to?

02-01-2011, 06:43 AM	#3
wanted Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: duluth, mn Posts: 63	Re: Positive camber Please reply if they make any changes like adding a shim. Thanks

02-01-2011, 07:43 AM	#4
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Positive camber I've never noticed one do this. Is this with the wheels straight? Got pics? From what I've seen it's rare to ever need to shim a solid axle. I thought this problem was reserved for F250 4wds __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

02-01-2011, 12:56 PM	#5
Transformula Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 160	Re: Positive camber Mine (dana 44, about 74 axle in a 71 truck) had what appeared to be a lot of positive camber, and it looked worse when I put taller tyres on it. I wound up putting in 3/4 degree shims behind the spindle. It now has about .1 degree negative camber which is not even noticeable. That tells me that there was a .6 degree positive camber with no shims. If you're going to adjust, always do it in this order: Caster, Camber, then toe, always last. __________________ T.Y.N Custom Works..... Because "Stock" Sucks! 1971 K 10 GMC Long Bed 1977 Formula T/A Frame off Resto-Mod 1995 FXDL Harley Low Rider 1985 C10 ShortWide 91 Burb front.

02-01-2011, 07:52 PM	#6
wanted Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: duluth, mn Posts: 63	Re: Positive camber I will take a picture this weekend. I need to move some snow to get out of the garage. I may take the spindle off as well to make sure there is not a shim in there. I built the axle a few years ago and maybe I put it in upside down if it is there at all.

02-16-2011, 02:03 AM	#8
wanted Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: duluth, mn Posts: 63	Re: Positive camber I haven't taken any pictures yet. But I inspected the spindles and there was no shims behind. But after thinking about the problem awhile I remember after installing the 4" lift springs the toe in was off and I adjusted them out. I think the springs moved the caster too much. Right now my camber is 1.5* \-/ positive on both wheels. Has anyone had to install angle shims on the springs after installing 4" Tuff Country EZ ride? Or does anyone have the correct caster angle measurement for the axle? I am wondering if these angles are changed intentionally by the spring manufacturer to compensate for pinion angle? I'm obviously no expert and will have a pro align it later on but I just want to correct as much as I can now.

02-17-2011, 02:29 PM	#9
Transformula Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 160	Re: Positive camber It's a matter of one or the other between pinion and caster angles or to find a happy balance between the two. The factory caster is 8 degrees postitve! When my truck was lifted, and the driveline angle straightened out, caster was reduced to 2 degrees. Wasn't too bad, but had to guide it down the highway, and steering returing to center was less. I found a nice compromise at 4-5 degrees caster and a little driveline angle. It works, no vibration from the angle, even on the hoghway and steering is nice and stable. Also, I set my camber to right around -.5 degrees negative and 1/32" toe in. __________________ T.Y.N Custom Works..... Because "Stock" Sucks! 1971 K 10 GMC Long Bed 1977 Formula T/A Frame off Resto-Mod 1995 FXDL Harley Low Rider 1985 C10 ShortWide 91 Burb front.



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