Should I correct my current camber settings?

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  • Jon '92 325ic
    Advanced Member
    • Dec 2003
    • 172

    #1

    Should I correct my current camber settings?

    Just had my alignment done and here are the camber readings:

    Front Left: -1.92 deg (spec is -1.17 to -0.17)
    Front Right: -1.45 deg

    So my Front Left and Right are out of spec by -0.75 deg and -0.28 deg, respectively. There's OEM offset front strut bearings that will correct 0.50 deg. They cost about $185/pair, but since the adjustment is only 0.50 deg, the Front Left will still be -0.25 deg out of spec. Ireland Engineering sells a fixed camber plate that will adjust camber by 1.25 deg for about $270 a pair. I don't think I need adjustable camber plates; a daily driver and I don't track the car or anything. Just some occassional spirited driving.

    Should I install the OEM offset strut bearings or the IE ones? Or are my current camber readings so close to spec that neither option warrants the expense?

    If either choice will provide a noticeable improvement in ride smoothness and/or tire wear I'd be interested. I realize that decreasing my negative camber will also decrease my handling when cornering, but I'm OK with that.

    My suspension is stock except for Bav Auto lowering springs (3mm spring pads in the front, 10mm spring pads in the rear)

    Thanks for any feedback.
    Last edited by Jon '92 325ic; 04-20-2006, 12:49 AM.
  • Axxe
    No R3VLimiter
    • Aug 2004
    • 3355

    #2
    Just leave it as is. Don't try to remove camber, it makes the car turn in better.


    Keep it slideways!!

    Comment

    • rs4pro3
      R3V Elite
      • Oct 2003
      • 5808

      #3
      If you went fixed plates, you'd still end up .5 degree off. I'd buy just one OEM crash mount for $90 and put it on the one of the two sides which would get you within .03 degrees of each other
      85 325e 2.7 ITB'd stroker

      Comment

      • 1991 318is
        Mod Crazy
        • Dec 2005
        • 786

        #4
        That camber reading is no BFD, but it is important to have good toe settings with additional camber. A little off on the toe will increase tire wear on the inside or outside edge at a faster rate.

        Comment

        • egk2
          R3VLimited
          • Nov 2003
          • 2426

          #5
          With increased neg camber, what should the toe settings be? Spec or toe'd out/toe'd in?

          Comment

          • Brew
            No R3VLimiter
            • Oct 2003
            • 3060

            #6
            Well, you can throw the factory specs out the window since the car is lowered.
            With our front suspension, negative camber increases as the car is lowered (to a point). I would recommend getting one of the OEM "crash" mounts and putting it on the right side.
            '91 318is
            sigpic

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