Help with camber issues when lowering - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

tranz am · 04-11-2007, 05:03 PM

I have been trying to get all the parts that I need to drop my 69 gmc and ran into an issue. One of the sales persons I talked to told me that If I used three inch drop springs I would have camber issues. I'm guessing the top of the wheels would be leaning towards the outside of the truck, correct? what can I do to eliminate this? thanks

**SactoJim** · 04-11-2007, 05:14 PM

As you lower the truck the upper A-arm is pivoting towards the center of the truck, so the top of the tire will lean in (negative camber) causing your tire to wear on the inside first. The stock bolts that hold the A-arms may not be long enough to adjust for this.

Probably the best solution for this is aftermarket A-arms.

tranz am · 04-11-2007, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SactoJim

As you lower the truck the upper A-arm is pivoting towards the center of the truck, so the top of the tire will lean in (negative camber) causing your tire to wear on the inside first. The stock bolts that hold the A-arms may not be long enough to adjust for this.

Probably the best solution for this is aftermarket A-arms.

Got a link to where I might find a set of a arms?

PanelDeland · 04-11-2007, 05:29 PM

How low are you trying to go?Usually anything over 2 in drop with springs will cause problems with alignment.Using 2 1/2 or 3 in drop spindles is a better way to lower.More than that usually requires new control arms and maybe reworking the crossmember(or using a "Porterbuilt")

zacut · 04-11-2007, 05:33 PM

fully agree, use the drop spindle and everything will ride better too

tranz am · 04-11-2007, 05:56 PM

Im about to buy the 2 1/2 drop spindles. unless I can get more. I want to use 3 inch drop coils in conjunction with them.

The 3 inch drop coils im looking at buying are for 67-73 but I want to use them for my 73-78 setup. I imagine the springs are the same considering most everything elts in that region is.

shifty · 04-11-2007, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tranz am

Got a link to where I might find a set of a arms?

http://www.classicperform.com/6092chevtrk.htm

Look for their tubular A-Arms. That's what I'm buying, for several reasons. 'Quality product' is all I keep hearing from people whove installed them.

Tx Firefighter · 04-12-2007, 07:09 AM

I've done a lot of 3 inch drop springs. As long as your control arm bushings and ball joints are not worn out, there will be enough thread on the upper control arm studs for shims to set the camber. I've never needed aftermarket control arms.

tranz am · 04-12-2007, 10:32 PM

Cool! Thanks for all the info.

gringoloco · 04-13-2007, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shifty

http://www.classicperform.com/6092chevtrk.htm

Look for their tubular A-Arms. That's what I'm buying, for several reasons. 'Quality product' is all I keep hearing from people whove installed them.

Careful. Guys in the suspension forum are having trouble with these as of late. The welds are preventing them mounting the upper ball joint.

76bonanza · 04-13-2007, 04:36 PM

From what I understand 3 inch is the limit anything more and you are in trouble.

svgould · 04-13-2007, 10:36 PM

I used the ones in the link below and couldn't be happier. Their service is top notch!! http://performanceonline.com/store/c...cat=788&page=1

tranz am · 04-14-2007, 12:37 AM

Thanks, Ill check it out.

mexgrhd68 · 04-14-2007, 03:15 AM

What if you use longer control arm studs to shim the arms??

jamis · 04-14-2007, 07:02 AM

With -3" (or -2" sorry cant remember) springs and - 2 1/2" spindles my caster moved in 1/2" (about 2 degs) if measured at the rim edges using a level as a guide.
I made some 1/2 spacers to replace the 1/4" stack of shims that are on there now so I don’t have to have such a large shim stack.
I plan to put them on this weekend I will take some pics and let you know how it worked out.

tranz am · 04-16-2007, 03:23 AM

Yea Id like to see them. Thanks

04-11-2007, 05:03 PM	#1
tranz am Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Santa Rosa, Ca Posts: 586	Help with camber issues when lowering I have been trying to get all the parts that I need to drop my 69 gmc and ran into an issue. One of the sales persons I talked to told me that If I used three inch drop springs I would have camber issues. I'm guessing the top of the wheels would be leaning towards the outside of the truck, correct? what can I do to eliminate this? thanks __________________ My build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=456220 Best 1/4 mile time 12.1 @ 111 w/traction issues 1969 GMC SWB 1964 chevy II Nova ht Last edited by tranz am; 04-11-2007 at 05:04 PM.

04-11-2007, 05:14 PM	#2
SactoJim Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 1,970	Re: Help with camber issues when lowering As you lower the truck the upper A-arm is pivoting towards the center of the truck, so the top of the tire will lean in (negative camber) causing your tire to wear on the inside first. The stock bolts that hold the A-arms may not be long enough to adjust for this. Probably the best solution for this is aftermarket A-arms. __________________ 72 Cheyenne SWB Fleet Nut & bolt frame off in progress...99.9999% - supercharged 383 - 4 wheel discs - relocated fuel tank - My Build Thread

04-11-2007, 05:29 PM	#4
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	Re: Help with camber issues when lowering How low are you trying to go?Usually anything over 2 in drop with springs will cause problems with alignment.Using 2 1/2 or 3 in drop spindles is a better way to lower.More than that usually requires new control arms and maybe reworking the crossmember(or using a "Porterbuilt") __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

04-11-2007, 05:33 PM	#5
zacut 67 chevy SWB Fleetside Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 61115 Posts: 80	Re: Help with camber issues when lowering fully agree, use the drop spindle and everything will ride better too __________________ 67 Chevy C10 Short Wide 350/350 ... Front Discs ... ECE Lowered 2.5/4 Vintage Air ... Oak Bed Floor ... Painless Wiring Brothers 1 pc Windows ... Lokar Pedals, Shifter, E-brake Ididit Column ... VDO guages

04-11-2007, 05:56 PM	#6
tranz am Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Santa Rosa, Ca Posts: 586	Re: Help with camber issues when lowering Im about to buy the 2 1/2 drop spindles. unless I can get more. I want to use 3 inch drop coils in conjunction with them. The 3 inch drop coils im looking at buying are for 67-73 but I want to use them for my 73-78 setup. I imagine the springs are the same considering most everything elts in that region is. __________________ My build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=456220 Best 1/4 mile time 12.1 @ 111 w/traction issues 1969 GMC SWB 1964 chevy II Nova ht Last edited by tranz am; 04-11-2007 at 05:59 PM.

04-12-2007, 07:09 AM	#8
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: Help with camber issues when lowering I've done a lot of 3 inch drop springs. As long as your control arm bushings and ball joints are not worn out, there will be enough thread on the upper control arm studs for shims to set the camber. I've never needed aftermarket control arms. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

04-12-2007, 10:32 PM	#9
tranz am Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Santa Rosa, Ca Posts: 586	Re: Help with camber issues when lowering Cool! Thanks for all the info. __________________ My build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=456220 Best 1/4 mile time 12.1 @ 111 w/traction issues 1969 GMC SWB 1964 chevy II Nova ht

04-13-2007, 04:36 PM	#11
76bonanza Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: St robert Mo Posts: 2,001	Re: Help with camber issues when lowering From what I understand 3 inch is the limit anything more and you are in trouble. __________________ 1968 c10 lowered 3" 4" 355/Th400 built by Hatfield racing in joplin MO

04-13-2007, 10:36 PM	#12
svgould Active Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Boise Idaho Posts: 296	Re: Help with camber issues when lowering I used the ones in the link below and couldn't be happier. Their service is top notch!! http://performanceonline.com/store/c...cat=788&page=1 __________________ 1971 SWB SOLD LT1 motor / 4l60E transmission ECE front dropped spindles with stock height springs 4" rear springs Coys Wheels 18 x 8 all the way around Hydratech hydroboost brake system

04-14-2007, 12:37 AM	#13
tranz am Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Santa Rosa, Ca Posts: 586	Re: Help with camber issues when lowering Thanks, Ill check it out. __________________ My build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=456220 Best 1/4 mile time 12.1 @ 111 w/traction issues 1969 GMC SWB 1964 chevy II Nova ht

04-14-2007, 03:15 AM	#14
mexgrhd68 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Visalia, CA. Posts: 327	Re: Help with camber issues when lowering What if you use longer control arm studs to shim the arms??

04-14-2007, 07:02 AM	#15
jamis F.A.S.T. president Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 1,883	Re: Help with camber issues when lowering With -3" (or -2" sorry cant remember) springs and - 2 1/2" spindles my caster moved in 1/2" (about 2 degs) if measured at the rim edges using a level as a guide. I made some 1/2 spacers to replace the 1/4" stack of shims that are on there now so I don’t have to have such a large shim stack. I plan to put them on this weekend I will take some pics and let you know how it worked out. __________________ F.A.S.T. President and Founder Fabricators for the Advancement of Sawsall Technology "A fear of the Sawsall is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." ~Sigmund Freud, "General Introduction to Psychoanalysis" Last edited by jamis; 04-14-2007 at 07:10 AM.

04-16-2007, 03:23 AM	#16
tranz am Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Santa Rosa, Ca Posts: 586	Re: Help with camber issues when lowering Yea Id like to see them. Thanks __________________ My build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=456220 Best 1/4 mile time 12.1 @ 111 w/traction issues 1969 GMC SWB 1964 chevy II Nova ht



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