68 Camber adjustment problems! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

68xxx · 03-18-2005, 06:43 AM

Hi Guys,

I can't set my camber properly on one side as I have found that I am out of length on the bolts and the control arm is just about hitting the frame bracket.

I need to pull the top of the wheel toward the frame to set it correctly.

I have got less than 1/4" of shims on the side that I need to bring in.

My truck is lowered around 4" up front so is there something that I should know.

Any help will be much appreciated.

Thanks, Mark.

Sonny · 03-18-2005, 07:18 AM

Nice truck! Usually lowering a vehicle causes the opposite effect (the top of the tire is too close to the frame). I would inspect the front end see if everything still looks symmetrical. Break out the tape measure and start comparing measurements to the other side or check numbers from another truck. One of the members on here should be able to hook you up with measurements. I know you can get good numbers from a body shop. Good Luck in finding the problem. The shave job on the cab and cowl is sweet! How about some more pics! I have a 68 too.

Sonny

68C15 · 03-18-2005, 07:32 AM

speaking from experience this is going to take some fabrication. how did you do the drop? some pics of front suspension will be helpful. (frontal view of arms etc)
on mine I did it kinda wierd. I lowered the spring cups (of the lower arms) by 3 inches,& re-did the ball joint angles so they would be in center of swing @ ride height.
may I suggest some aftermarket tubular upper arms with threaded joints on both front & rear.

68xxx · 03-18-2005, 08:12 AM

Thanks guys, keep the info coming and here's some extra pics.

Mark.

ebfabman · 03-18-2005, 08:16 AM

How it is lowered will make a difference. Did you do the work yourself?

Tx Firefighter · 03-18-2005, 08:29 AM

Your problem is the exact opposite of what should happen. When you lower one, the camber goes negative, and you have to add shims to move the top of the tire outward.

Are you sure something isn't bent?

68xxx · 03-18-2005, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

Your problem is the exact opposite of what should happen. When you lower one, the camber goes negative, and you have to add shims to move the top of the tire outward.

Are you sure something isn't bent?

I bought the truck already lowered so apart from the drop spindles I don't really know what's been done.

I've had a look at the frame and can't see anything out of square.

I will have a better look tommorow and see If I can come up with anything.

Thanks again for the help.

Mark.

MOTHERTRUCKERS · 03-18-2005, 08:44 AM

I suggest putting it on a frame machine so you have a base to start from.

67ChevyRedneck · 03-18-2005, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOTHERTRUCKERS

I suggest putting it on a frame machine so you have a base to start from.

I agree, or at least take it to a local shop that specializes in alignments, see what they have to say. A lot of shops, around here at least, will look at it for free or real cheap. Did the previous owner use a tubular A-arm kit? That could be why you need to pull it in and not out. Or with the truck being so low the could have snagged an A arm on something and bent it. Beautiful truck, hope you get 'er fixed!

jalste · 03-18-2005, 12:16 PM

My opinion is put it on a flat surface take a water drop level and place it on the outter side of the rim and see where the drop sets level measure the distance between the level and the upper or lower side of the rim that will tell you if its negative or positive and in inches how much do the same on both sides to see if its equal, if not there is several thing you have to look at afterwards let me know and we can go over each one . hang in there it can be solved

68C15 · 03-18-2005, 10:42 PM

drop spindles eh?, maybe they are the root of all the problems.

68xxx · 03-19-2005, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68C15

drop spindles eh?, maybe they are the root of all the problems.

Yeah I'm thinking the same thing.

I had a look today and can't see anything obvious so I will try to get a couple of pics tommorow and post them so maybe you guys will see something that I am missing.

How did you re-angle the ball joints, wedges???

Mark.

68xxx · 03-19-2005, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jalste

My opinion is put it on a flat surface take a water drop level and place it on the outter side of the rim and see where the drop sets level measure the distance between the level and the upper or lower side of the rim that will tell you if its negative or positive and in inches how much do the same on both sides to see if its equal, if not there is several thing you have to look at afterwards let me know and we can go over each one . hang in there it can be solved

I checked the level before I posted the original question and found that the bottom of the rim is in about 3/8" inward on the drivers side and the passenger side is about 3/4" inward.

Keep in mind that I am driving on the left hand side of the road (Australia) so my camber specs will be opposite of usual.

Mark.

jalste · 03-19-2005, 09:52 AM

Well seems like the drivers side is about right its the passenger thats off take it to a body shop that can check youi frame looks like it might have been damaged in an accident but dont worry its not off by much.

03-18-2005, 06:43 AM	#1
68xxx Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Gold Coast, East Coast of Australia Posts: 39	68 Camber adjustment problems! Hi Guys, I can't set my camber properly on one side as I have found that I am out of length on the bolts and the control arm is just about hitting the frame bracket. I need to pull the top of the wheel toward the frame to set it correctly. I have got less than 1/4" of shims on the side that I need to bring in. My truck is lowered around 4" up front so is there something that I should know. Any help will be much appreciated. Thanks, Mark.

03-18-2005, 07:32 AM	#3
68C15 blood type; Retumbo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: next to my reloading bench Posts: 10,269	speaking from experience this is going to take some fabrication. how did you do the drop? some pics of front suspension will be helpful. (frontal view of arms etc) on mine I did it kinda wierd. I lowered the spring cups (of the lower arms) by 3 inches,& re-did the ball joint angles so they would be in center of swing @ ride height. may I suggest some aftermarket tubular upper arms with threaded joints on both front & rear. __________________ Man rule #77...if you own a 67 stepside with a caddy 472 you will never be in danger of loosing you man card

03-18-2005, 08:12 AM	#4
68xxx Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Gold Coast, East Coast of Australia Posts: 39	Thanks guys, keep the info coming and here's some extra pics. Mark. Last edited by 68xxx; 03-18-2005 at 08:24 AM.

03-18-2005, 08:29 AM	#6
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Your problem is the exact opposite of what should happen. When you lower one, the camber goes negative, and you have to add shims to move the top of the tire outward. Are you sure something isn't bent? __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

03-18-2005, 08:44 AM	#8
MOTHERTRUCKERS Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: BRADENTON FLA Posts: 3,269	I suggest putting it on a frame machine so you have a base to start from. __________________ Rest in Peace Ed. Thanks for all the good times.

03-18-2005, 07:18 AM	#2
Sonny Active Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Centerville, GA Posts: 240	Nice truck! Usually lowering a vehicle causes the opposite effect (the top of the tire is too close to the frame). I would inspect the front end see if everything still looks symmetrical. Break out the tape measure and start comparing measurements to the other side or check numbers from another truck. One of the members on here should be able to hook you up with measurements. I know you can get good numbers from a body shop. Good Luck in finding the problem. The shave job on the cab and cowl is sweet! How about some more pics! I have a 68 too. Sonny

03-18-2005, 08:16 AM	#5
ebfabman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 2,488	How it is lowered will make a difference. Did you do the work yourself?

03-18-2005, 12:16 PM	#10
jalste Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Oaxaca Mexico Posts: 32	My opinion is put it on a flat surface take a water drop level and place it on the outter side of the rim and see where the drop sets level measure the distance between the level and the upper or lower side of the rim that will tell you if its negative or positive and in inches how much do the same on both sides to see if its equal, if not there is several thing you have to look at afterwards let me know and we can go over each one . hang in there it can be solved

03-18-2005, 10:42 PM	#11
68C15 blood type; Retumbo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: next to my reloading bench Posts: 10,269	drop spindles eh?, maybe they are the root of all the problems. __________________ Man rule #77...if you own a 67 stepside with a caddy 472 you will never be in danger of loosing you man card

03-19-2005, 09:52 AM	#14
jalste Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Oaxaca Mexico Posts: 32	Well seems like the drivers side is about right its the passenger thats off take it to a body shop that can check youi frame looks like it might have been damaged in an accident but dont worry its not off by much.



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