setting rear IRS camber

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simonjrwinter
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setting rear IRS camber

Post by simonjrwinter »

This is my plan, please tell me if it holds water....
Firstly, measure distance between wheel rims and arch when car sitting at ride height..
Raise car on to axle stands front and rear so as to be level across the chassis side to side, remove rear wheels, unbolt shocks/springs, raise hub using motorcycle lift to enable bolts from diff to be undone, pull driveshaft out of way, insert shims, bolt back up (not shocks/springs yet), replace wheel, check camber angle with wheel lifted up to ride height.
I'm trying to work it out in my head if this is do-able. Please chime in if this is A) dangerous, B) ridiculous or C) unworkable
Any advice in regard to this area gratefully received and appreciated
I have a camber angle gauge and a piece of box section steel I can place across the rim of the wheel. (and a big pile of shims.....)

Simon
TR6 (V8) Hawk 289 FIA (V8) Doing my bit for global warming.
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simonjrwinter
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Re: setting rear IRS camber

Post by simonjrwinter »

Anyone?
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StewbieC
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Re: setting rear IRS camber

Post by StewbieC »

I took wheel off, undid drive shaft at diff side (I have outboard brakes) tilted hub forward to release drive shaft from bolts, added shims and did back up.
Then repeat four times to get right
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kdavies3
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Re: setting rear IRS camber

Post by kdavies3 »

I think you have the right idea Simon.
I'll be doing the same as Stew as and when I've run the car long enough to settle the suspension and springs etc.
Not happening yet as I'm still starved of exhaust manifolds.
Kev Davies
DAX Mk4, 383 Chevy Stroker, Tremec. SOLD
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SiJackson
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Re: setting rear IRS camber

Post by SiJackson »

May I add a little tip....

when mucking about setting shims, use regular nuts on the studs that hold the disc and shaft into place until you are happy with the camber, THEN fit the special locking nuts as they don't like multiple use. I throw them away and use new nuts every time because they have knackered the stud thread in the past, which when the axle is in the car, is a right pain in the ass. Regular nuts are also easier and faster to run up and just need a quick nip too, which saves a bunch of time.
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simonjrwinter
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Re: setting rear IRS camber

Post by simonjrwinter »

Thanks Si,
I bought some regular nuts for this very purpose.......now I want to use them, can I find them?......
Bloody typical!

Simon
TR6 (V8) Hawk 289 FIA (V8) Doing my bit for global warming.
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simonjrwinter
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Re: setting rear IRS camber

Post by simonjrwinter »

Well, it’s done. I used a piece of steel box section against the rim of the wheel and the “builders level with the bubble slightly off centre” method when I had it all apart and found my “camber gauge” had at least 6 degrees of slack in it! I’ll go to a 4 wheel alignment place to get a true reading I think!

Simon
TR6 (V8) Hawk 289 FIA (V8) Doing my bit for global warming.
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StewbieC
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Re: setting rear IRS camber

Post by StewbieC »

1/2 degree of negative camber is ca 3mm difference between the top of the rim and bottom of the rim measured against vertical (taken from a 15" rim that measures ca 380mm dia).
I used a simple Bosch laser level that provides a vertical plumb line, you can use a plumb line suspended somewhere close to the wheel and measure to the string
camber = tan -1 (difference in measurement to the plumb line (in mm) / diameter of rim (in mm))
so tan-1(-3mm/380mm) = -0.45 degrees
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simonjrwinter
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Re: setting rear IRS camber

Post by simonjrwinter »

Took the car for a drive last night after setting the camber using just basic tools.....it’s bloody fantastic, can’t quite put my finger on how but it feels much more stable and “planted” it could of course just be psychosomatic but it’s an absolute joy to drive.
Simon
Last edited by simonjrwinter on Wed Jun 24, 2020 10:39 am, edited 1 time in total.
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kdavies3
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Re: setting rear IRS camber

Post by kdavies3 »

Well done Simon!
Kev Davies
DAX Mk4, 383 Chevy Stroker, Tremec. SOLD
Contemporary CCX 3-4028, 445ci Big Block FORD FE,TKO 600. SOLD
Dax De Dion LS2 and T56. SOLD
1965 Ford Mustang 289 Convertible SOLD
In build Hawk 289 (302) Sebring. Awaiting IVA:D
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