Adjusting camber on solid axle

Marc P · 04-13-2007, 04:00 PM

It has come to my attention that my camber is out on my front axle, and I have no idea how to adjust it...anyone?

Looks like the rear end of a baja bug...

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norcalsvx · 04-13-2007, 04:05 PM

shims on the axel?

Marc P · 04-13-2007, 04:06 PM

yeah, but where?? on the bottom and top of the knuckle??

4Crawler · 04-13-2007, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marc P

yeah, but where?? on the bottom and top of the knuckle??

The shims on the knucke bearings only adjust the centering of the axle shaft/birfield inside the housing. I have seen (on eBay) some camber shims that go behind the spindle (in the ~$250 range as I recall) and there are also some offset knuckle bearings I have seen to do the same thing (basically adjust the king kin angle). Probably about the same price range as you need to change out all 4 bearings with the special parts.

tc · 04-13-2007, 06:45 PM

Wow - that's great news, I had always heard the camber wasn't adjustable.

Make sure the housing isn't bent!

Sonofmayhem · 04-13-2007, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tc

Make sure the housing isn't bent!

If its not make sure to truss the top of it

**waskillywabbit** · 04-13-2007, 07:28 PM

Actually trussing the top of the axle is not near as important as the knuckle ball gussets as that is where the axle is most likely to bend.

I just finally got all mine back together tonight...dang I feel old.

Marc P · 04-14-2007, 02:51 PM

It must be the toe that is out. If my axle was bent the wheels would go like this / \ not like they are now \ /

I just need to get it up on the alignment rack at work.....

4Crawler · 04-14-2007, 03:07 PM

Easy enough to measure the toe in without an alignment rack:
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...html#Alignment

dirtoyboy · 04-14-2007, 06:32 PM

thats a great tip 4crawler

4Crawler · 04-14-2007, 06:34 PM

Yes, I usually just use a tape measure across the tires, pick a pair of matching points on the tread and measure between the two points. You can roll the truck back or forward 1/2 rotation to get the same points, or I usually just measure off the same tread points in the rear.

tc · 04-15-2007, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waskillywabbit

Actually trussing the top of the axle is not near as important as the knuckle ball gussets as that is where the axle is most likely to bend.

x2 - I think that Molly's is slightly bent there and that's why we had trouble getting the Longs installed...

dirtoyboy · 04-15-2007, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Crawler

Yes, I usually just use a tape measure across the tires, pick a pair of matching points on the tread and measure between the two points. You can roll the truck back or forward 1/2 rotation to get the same points, or I usually just measure off the same tread points in the rear.

not that i meant the clamping a bar the same width as the tire to the rotor and measuring...nice idea....with the larger tires (especially bias) there is no way there would be an even measuring point on the lugs that i can see

4Crawler · 04-15-2007, 04:46 PM

Yes, most accurate is the bars on the brake discs, but for a quick check, the tape across the tires works fine. I find the BFG MT tread pattern is quite accurate for doing it this way. But when I had my old TSL-SX Swampers, had to use the bars. I do find that you sometimes get a little toe in change with the weight on the tires.

Ed H. · 11-01-2009, 08:46 PM

I am in the process of rebuilding my knuckles, i see no signs of my axle being bent. my passenger side tire was wearing very fast on the outside, is this a problem that 4 new bearings is going to fix or are the off set bearings still going to be needed. I have thoroughly confused myself looking through posts on the subject. Also is there any special tricks on setting the knuckle bearing preload without the special toyota tool. is it just as simple as noting down what shims were where and putting back in the right order i have marlins rebuild kit with new shims.

desertcamper67 · 11-01-2009, 11:01 PM

If camber is off, something is bent or a very worn. Camber shims that go behind the spindle are great for drum brake vehicles. If you use them on your Toy, you will change the disc angle but the caliper will stay put leaving the pads cocked against the rotor.
Set toe and eyeball your camber. A lot of older shops will straighten an axle. The offset camber/caster knuckle bearings will do the job but you will have slightly smaller bearings in there which I don't like. I doubt the quality of those bearings too.

If you jack up your front axle and spray paint a white line down the tread while the tire is turning and then scribe a line into that fresh paint you can easily set the toe with a damn near perfect reference line front and back of the tire. Just measure at the same height front and back if camber is way off. Be sure the scribed line runs true and ends up on the same line when a full revolution is made.

4Crawler · 11-02-2009, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed H.

I am in the process of rebuilding my knuckles, i see no signs of my axle being bent. my passenger side tire was wearing very fast on the outside, is this a problem that 4 new bearings is going to fix or are the off set bearings still going to be needed. I have thoroughly confused myself looking through posts on the subject.

You might have someone throw the truck on an alignment machine and check the camber and caster angles. Wearing on the outside of the tread, if due to camber angle, would mean the axle is bent downwards, which is not common. Could be due to improper toe in, too much will wear the outside of the tire.

Quote:

Also is there any special tricks on setting the knuckle bearing preload without the special toyota tool. is it just as simple as noting down what shims were where and putting back in the right order i have marlins rebuild kit with new shims.

See below:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri....shtml#Rebuild

04-13-2007, 04:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
norcalsvx Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Alpine--GRASS valley, CA Posts: 2,132	shims on the axel? __________________ 1994 toy 22re- http://www.yotatech.com/f86/nocalsvx-s-94-toy-104593/ 2006 Subaru Forester XT -some mods/awd 5spd 1994 Subaru SVX- hwy runner 84 RX7- drag car build

04-13-2007, 04:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
Marc P Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Santee, CA Posts: 2,736	yeah, but where?? on the bottom and top of the knuckle?? __________________ 1995 4Runner---SAS with goodies

04-13-2007, 06:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
tc Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 8,372	Wow - that's great news, I had always heard the camber wasn't adjustable. Make sure the housing isn't bent! __________________ Check out www.coTTORA.org to hook up with great Toyota 'wheelin' folks! Current - 93 4Runner: 3VZ 33"x10.50" no lift ARB F/R 96 Impala SS: My own personal cop car Previous - 89 2WD Pickup 22R, Fabtech "Ivan Dan" lift, 31x10.50, IASCA World Finals 4th Place Stop with the mods and get on the trail! Pix at www.4wheelingoh.shutterfly.com/action

04-13-2007, 07:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
waskillywabbit Super Moderator-Sponsoring Member Staff Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 14,548	Actually trussing the top of the axle is not near as important as the knuckle ball gussets as that is where the axle is most likely to bend. I just finally got all mine back together tonight...dang I feel old. __________________ WabFab Off-Road, LLC MySpace Twitter Facebook 7th Annual South East 4Runner Jamboree, 2010 The toughest part of a Jeep is the chick driving it. WabFab Off-Road 4th Anniversary Sale

04-14-2007, 02:51 PM	#8 (permalink)
Marc P Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Santee, CA Posts: 2,736	It must be the toe that is out. If my axle was bent the wheels would go like this / \ not like they are now \ / I just need to get it up on the alignment rack at work..... __________________ 1995 4Runner---SAS with goodies

04-14-2007, 03:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
4Crawler Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 7,828	Easy enough to measure the toe in without an alignment rack: http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...html#Alignment __________________ 1985 Toyota 4Runner SR-5, 22REC engine, dual t-cases, 4.88 gears, dual ARBs, 33x10.50 BFGs or 35x12.50 MTRs r.c.brown@ieee.org TruckEditor@tlca.org Project: 4Crawler 4Crawler OffRoad Gettin'Off 4WD Club

04-14-2007, 06:34 PM	#11 (permalink)
4Crawler Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 7,828	Yes, I usually just use a tape measure across the tires, pick a pair of matching points on the tread and measure between the two points. You can roll the truck back or forward 1/2 rotation to get the same points, or I usually just measure off the same tread points in the rear. __________________ 1985 Toyota 4Runner SR-5, 22REC engine, dual t-cases, 4.88 gears, dual ARBs, 33x10.50 BFGs or 35x12.50 MTRs r.c.brown@ieee.org TruckEditor@tlca.org Project: 4Crawler 4Crawler OffRoad Gettin'Off 4WD Club

04-15-2007, 04:46 PM	#14 (permalink)
4Crawler Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 7,828	Yes, most accurate is the bars on the brake discs, but for a quick check, the tape across the tires works fine. I find the BFG MT tread pattern is quite accurate for doing it this way. But when I had my old TSL-SX Swampers, had to use the bars. I do find that you sometimes get a little toe in change with the weight on the tires. __________________ 1985 Toyota 4Runner SR-5, 22REC engine, dual t-cases, 4.88 gears, dual ARBs, 33x10.50 BFGs or 35x12.50 MTRs r.c.brown@ieee.org TruckEditor@tlca.org Project: 4Crawler 4Crawler OffRoad Gettin'Off 4WD Club

11-01-2009, 08:46 PM	#15 (permalink)
Ed H. Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Oakley Ca Posts: 247	I am in the process of rebuilding my knuckles, i see no signs of my axle being bent. my passenger side tire was wearing very fast on the outside, is this a problem that 4 new bearings is going to fix or are the off set bearings still going to be needed. I have thoroughly confused myself looking through posts on the subject. Also is there any special tricks on setting the knuckle bearing preload without the special toyota tool. is it just as simple as noting down what shims were where and putting back in the right order i have marlins rebuild kit with new shims. __________________ i am pretty much open to anything, atleast until i get lockers.

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