strut bending for neg camber - wheel spacer needed?

[funcrew]

I want to achieve substantial negative camber on a daily driver. I want to retain all rubber mounting throughout the suspension, so offset M3 strut mounts and fixed plates, but I'm not sure how much you can go with stock diameter springs & perches. I don't want adj camber plates w/out rubber mounting. Ditto for coilovers.

Ireland Engineering & presumably others offer strut bending service to add negative camber. What are the pros and cons? I'm assuming that a wheel spacer would be needed to restore tire-to-strut clearance.

Discuss.

[Liam]

I've always had misgivings about bending suspension components.

Outside of that I don't have any input.

[jlevie]

The maximum possible front camber with stock springs varies a little by car (some have more, some less). The limit is when the upper spring perch runs into the inner wall of the strut tower. On my Spec E30 (H&R Race & GC race plates) that turns out to be 3.1deg. Some other Spec E30 cars have gotten 3.5 or so.

[funcrew]

The maximum possible front camber with stock springs varies a little by car (some have more, some less). The limit is when the upper spring perch runs into the inner wall of the strut tower. On my Spec E30 (H&R Race & GC race plates) that turns out to be 3.1deg. Some other Spec E30 cars have gotten 3.5 or so.

Thanks for the info. All I want is 2.0 to 2.5 negative , BUT I want to keep rubber strut mounts.

Keep the info coming.

[Knockenwelle]

Dunno if you've ever had one off the car, but those strut housings are pretty damn substantial chunks of steel. It makes the engineer in me kinda shudder when I think about bending one on purpose and bolting it back on the car...

[E30Driv3R]

I am just wondering, is there a reason for all of the camber? Also is there a reason why you dont want to switch from rubber bushings?

I have coilovers/Vorschlag camber paltes on the e30, and i can get alot (-3.5-4.2*) camber.
I know that is not the route you want to go but will you be switching any other suspension components? you would be able to gain alittle bit of camber by just lowering it....

I just dont see a need for excessive camber on a DD. With the more camber your tires tend to follow ruts in the road, and make it somewhat of a pita. Plus like stated before bending of suspension components always makes me wonder.

[nando]

why don't you run offset strut bearings and turn them around? then get an alignment and see where you are before doing anything you might regret.

2-2.5 isn't really excessive either, the max reccomended factory range is -1.7up front so -2 is just ouside of that. -3 or more can be a bit much though.

[2002maniac]

Ireland has benty many strut towers in the past with great results. Call them and ask what they can do for you.

[Wh33lhop]

Doesn't Ground Control have a pillowball mount designed for more comfort? I'd certainly give that a try before bending your struts.

[funcrew]

I am just wondering, is there a reason for all of the camber? Also is there a reason why you dont want to switch from rubber bushings?

I have coilovers/Vorschlag camber paltes on the e30, and i can get alot (-3.5-4.2*) camber.
I know that is not the route you want to go but will you be switching any other suspension components? you would be able to gain alittle bit of camber by just lowering it....

I just dont see a need for excessive camber on a DD. With the more camber your tires tend to follow ruts in the road, and make it somewhat of a pita. Plus like stated before bending of suspension components always makes me wonder.

Rubber mounted for a cushy & quiet ride. Ditto for H&R sports over race springs. On my old Toyota Echo, I went from zero to -2 front camber with cheesy eccentric strut bolts. There was a huge improvement in grip, with little effect on tire wear. E30's may be a little different, but that seemed like a good compromise. Car is for daily commuting & soccer dad use plus frequent SCCA autocross in STX.

[funcrew]

Doesn't Ground Control have a pillowball mount designed for more comfort? I'd certainly give that a try before bending your struts.

These appear to be for E36 and 2.5 inch coilovers. If available for stock OD springs and E30, this might be a really good option. Actually, maybe coilovers would be OK with rubber mounting. They may not have springs soft enough for me though.

[Wh33lhop]

These appear to be for E36 and 2.5 inch coilovers. If available for stock OD springs and E30, this might be a really good option. Actually, maybe coilovers would be OK with rubber mounting. They may not have springs soft enough for me though.

Unfortunately they aren't listed as standalone units for the E30, you may have to purchase a coilover kit (although I don't necessarily see how spring diameter would matter seeing as they are on a separate mount altogether).

[Liam]

I was thinking about this thread and I don't know if they are still available but there were some OEM upper strut bearings that were a + or - for camber back in the day, there were also offset inner ball joints.

[nando]

I was thinking about this thread and I don't know if they are still available but there were some OEM upper strut bearings that were a + or - for camber back in the day, there were also offset inner ball joints.

why don't you run offset strut bearings and turn them around?

[Liam]

/\

You got me, I didn't even read before I posted.