Are camber bolts needed after installing springs? - Toyota Yaris Forums

CtrlAltDefeat · 01-29-2009, 05:44 AM

I'm about to install some Tanabe DF210 springs and was told that I'll need an alignment after the springs settle (after a couple weeks) because the lowered stance will give you bad camber and your tires will wear unevenly and wear out fast. Are camber bolts needed to fix the camber problem? A friend of mine said something would need "slotting" to fix it. If I don't get camber bolts, will the "slotting" be expensive? Anybody know?

smofskra · 01-29-2009, 05:58 AM

i highly doubt it. im willing to bet that 98% of people on this forum that have lowered their cars do not have camber bolts. just get an alignment and you will be good.

thebarber · 01-29-2009, 06:52 AM

likely a good idea on a drop more than 1.25"

could end up w/ camber wear on your tires...

but whats more expensive $35 for camber bolts to get the correct alignment or 2 new tires in 15k miles?

ZING · 01-29-2009, 08:41 AM

Just an extra precaution isnt it? I doubt a difference would be made, unless someone can explain how it would?

And glad you made up your mind, hope you dont regret it hehe.

33OH · 01-29-2009, 08:46 AM

I just got mine aligned and I use DF210's. I haven't noticed any camber issues and it's been a year.

Morgan · 01-29-2009, 12:20 PM

I have the trd springs and camber bolts... but its intentional. I got them specifically to give me more negative camber, sure I have to buy more tires but the extra grip is worth it.

A moderate drop will produce some negative camber but the stock bolts do have room for adjustment, any good alignment shop can put the geometry back pretty close to stock specifications.

anonymous user · 01-29-2009, 12:34 PM

Yes, it's always good to get an alignment after changing springs. Camber bolts only allow for more - or + camber, as Morgan stated. The rears use shims to adjust camber.
If you have a friend who is a fanatical racer, they could probably do an alignment for you, with all the proper tools and gadgets.

MUSKOKA800 · 01-29-2009, 02:24 PM

After installing my TRD suspension the alignment shop did need to install camber bolts to correct the front camber to factory spec.

CtrlAltDefeat · 01-29-2009, 03:04 PM

if the struts need "slotting" what does that mean? Would that cost extra?

PetersRedYaris · 01-29-2009, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CtrlAltDefeat

if the struts need "slotting" what does that mean? Would that cost extra?

I believe that just means ovalizing out the holes in the struts where the factory camber bolts are placed. This allows for more movement and more adjustability in terms of camber while not having to buy new camber bolts. If done correctly it is a perfectly acceptable way to overcome the camber adjustment issue. In addition, struts are wear replacment items, so they're going to get replaced in the future anyway...

cali yaris · 01-29-2009, 04:22 PM

^ this is correct. Camber bolts are just a way to adjust camber without having to modify any other part. They also offer a greater range of adjustment. The ones I stock go +1.75 to -1.75.

But as other have noted, you should be able to get very close to factory spec even with lowering springs installed.

CtrlAltDefeat · 01-29-2009, 04:43 PM

ok then I'll just get the alignment after I install the springs, and hope it all works out

ddongbap · 01-29-2009, 05:27 PM

Having slight camber doesn't ruin your tread life. It will be probably only a smidge shorter.

Tamago · 01-29-2009, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddongbap

Having slight camber doesn't ruin your tread life. It will be probably only a smidge shorter.

agreed. if you rotate, or even flip, your tires regularly you'll be fine

what kills tires is excessive toe

remember, folks, because you have trailing arm suspension in the rear, any "built in" camber set by the factory (and believe me, there's built in camber) is turned into "toe in" when you've lowered your car. lowering a trailing arm suspended car almost always leads to more understeer then you experienced pre-lowering. a swaybar can help trick the rear into rotating, but the best thing you can do for the rear end of a yaris after lowering is to get shims to correct that excessive toe-in created by lowering.

phenoyz · 01-31-2009, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tamago

agreed. if you rotate, or even flip, your tires regularly you'll be fine

what kills tires is excessive toe

remember, folks, because you have trailing arm suspension in the rear, any "built in" camber set by the factory (and believe me, there's built in camber) is turned into "toe in" when you've lowered your car. lowering a trailing arm suspended car almost always leads to more understeer then you experienced pre-lowering. a swaybar can help trick the rear into rotating, but the best thing you can do for the rear end of a yaris after lowering is to get shims to correct that excessive toe-in created by lowering.

planning to lower my car...plan to get springs and sway bar
what is SHIMS? do i need that too
thx

Tamago · 02-01-2009, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phenoyz

planning to lower my car...plan to get springs and sway bar
what is SHIMS? do i need that too
thx

shims mount between your axle and hub. most alignment shops have them. they're unfortunately usually made from plastic though.

i corrected by putting a stainless washer between the hub and axle, installed on the lower "front" bolt. i'm currently running about 1/16" of toe OUT in the rear. the washer thickness was .058.

01-29-2009, 05:44 AM	#1
CtrlAltDefeat I ♥ Yaris View User's Garage Drives: Black 08 LB MT & red 97 Miata Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Indianapolis IN Posts: 1,313	Are camber bolts needed after installing springs? I'm about to install some Tanabe DF210 springs and was told that I'll need an alignment after the springs settle (after a couple weeks) because the lowered stance will give you bad camber and your tires will wear unevenly and wear out fast. Are camber bolts needed to fix the camber problem? A friend of mine said something would need "slotting" to fix it. If I don't get camber bolts, will the "slotting" be expensive? Anybody know? __________________ The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt. - Bertrand Russell

01-29-2009, 06:52 AM	#3
thebarber daily driver View User's Garage Drives: the #wrecho Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 5,877	likely a good idea on a drop more than 1.25" could end up w/ camber wear on your tires... but whats more expensive $35 for camber bolts to get the correct alignment or 2 new tires in 15k miles? __________________

01-29-2009, 12:20 PM	#6
Morgan View User's Garage Drives: 07 MM LB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: PCB, FL Posts: 504	I have the trd springs and camber bolts... but its intentional. I got them specifically to give me more negative camber, sure I have to buy more tires but the extra grip is worth it. A moderate drop will produce some negative camber but the stock bolts do have room for adjustment, any good alignment shop can put the geometry back pretty close to stock specifications. __________________

01-29-2009, 02:24 PM	#8
MUSKOKA800 Drives: '08 Yaris Sedan, Aero Package Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Burlington, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,720	After installing my TRD suspension the alignment shop did need to install camber bolts to correct the front camber to factory spec. __________________ TRD Upgrades: 18" Wheels wrapped in 215/35/18 PZero's, Sportivo Shocks/Struts, Lowering Springs, Swaybar, Axle-Back Exhaust, Oil Cap, Rad Cap, Signage. Aftermarket Goodies: Piggies SS, K&N Drop-In, Blitz S/C, DC Header, NST Pulley) Toyota Options/Accessories: Sport Pedal Covers, Sport Shift Knob, Ipod Interface, Summer Mats, Winter Mats, Cruise Control, Auto-Dim Mirror, Echo steelies with winter boots.

01-29-2009, 03:04 PM	#9
CtrlAltDefeat I ♥ Yaris View User's Garage Drives: Black 08 LB MT & red 97 Miata Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Indianapolis IN Posts: 1,313	if the struts need "slotting" what does that mean? Would that cost extra? __________________ The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt. - Bertrand Russell

01-29-2009, 05:58 AM	#2
smofskra View User's Garage Drives: 08 Flint Mica Sedan Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Baraboo, WI Posts: 186	i highly doubt it. im willing to bet that 98% of people on this forum that have lowered their cars do not have camber bolts. just get an alignment and you will be good.

01-29-2009, 08:41 AM	#4
ZING View User's Garage Drives: Yaris '09,GTi '09, BMW 3.30ci Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Lebanon, Middle East. Posts: 582	Just an extra precaution isnt it? I doubt a difference would be made, unless someone can explain how it would? And glad you made up your mind, hope you dont regret it hehe.

01-29-2009, 08:46 AM	#5
33OH Drives: '08 Yaris Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Dover, Ohio Posts: 7,606	I just got mine aligned and I use DF210's. I haven't noticed any camber issues and it's been a year.

01-29-2009, 12:34 PM	#7
anonymous user rarer than JDM -1 of 1! View User's Garage Drives: 07yaris Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: windward oahu Posts: 402	Yes, it's always good to get an alignment after changing springs. Camber bolts only allow for more - or + camber, as Morgan stated. The rears use shims to adjust camber. If you have a friend who is a fanatical racer, they could probably do an alignment for you, with all the proper tools and gadgets.

01-29-2009, 04:22 PM	#11
cali yaris ULTIMATE View User's Garage Drives: 07 Yaris Turbo Join Date: May 2007 Location: Canoga Park, CA Posts: 14,859	^ this is correct. Camber bolts are just a way to adjust camber without having to modify any other part. They also offer a greater range of adjustment. The ones I stock go +1.75 to -1.75. But as other have noted, you should be able to get very close to factory spec even with lowering springs installed. __________________ Micro Image forums, online store and shop are now closed. It was a great eight year run, but it was time to focus on other things. I'm still selling parts on eBay under micro*image seller ID and customers can still make requests for anything specific.

01-29-2009, 04:43 PM	#12
CtrlAltDefeat I ♥ Yaris View User's Garage Drives: Black 08 LB MT & red 97 Miata Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Indianapolis IN Posts: 1,313	ok then I'll just get the alignment after I install the springs, and hope it all works out __________________ The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt. - Bertrand Russell

01-29-2009, 05:27 PM	#13
ddongbap Banned Drives: yw calls me douche and racist. Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: hay Posts: 2,183	Having slight camber doesn't ruin your tread life. It will be probably only a smidge shorter.

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