Camber Adjustment

Discussion in 'The whoa and the sway.' started by r0ckstarr, Apr 18, 2005.

  1. r0ckstarr

    r0ckstarr Well-Known Member

    How do I adjust the camber on the front of my Riviera? My front tires look like this / \ I was looking and I do not see any shims, and was wondering exactly where they go?
     
  2. nailheadina67

    nailheadina67 Official Nailheader

    Like he said, upper control arm shims. My guess is you have spent upper control arm bushings. Also, the brake reaction rod bushings are prolly toast too. Those items are the ones most likely shot on your car.....but also check your center link, tie rods, and ball joints for looseness. Whatever you do, get at least one second opinion.....I used to be a front end mechanic and I will tell you there are many smooks out there who don't know how to properly check front end parts.

    On your car, you need to take the weight off your lower ball joints to check them.....they are the "load carriers". That means put jack stands under the lower control arms and lower the car to take the weight off them. Try wobbling the wheels each way, the uppers need to be perfectly tight. (I've never seen worn uppers on a second generation Riv) The lowers can move a little, although new ones won't. When the weight is on them the play won't matter. Make sure the studs aren't loose in the spindles. The factory idler arm on your car is designed with a small amount of play, and again the replacement type is tight. If it moves up and down more than 1/4" replace it. Your tie rods and center link must have no play at all......move them up and down and watch them while someone wiggles the steering wheel slightly from inside the car with the engine not running. Also, if your springs are sagged it'll throw your front end geometry way off. If you have less than 1" of space between the rubber bumper on the lower control arm and the frame, it's time for new springs. At least check the spec in your service manual, but those are only good if you have the correct sized tires on the car. Cracked rubber bumpers are a sign of bad shocks or sagged or broken springs.

    One more thing......it's weak shocks that kill bushings and all front end parts for that matter. If your shocks are questionable, replace them. It's a good idea to put in new sway bar links along with the shocks if they look cracked or loose also. :Smarty:
     
  3. r0ckstarr

    r0ckstarr Well-Known Member

    After a more close inspection, I have come to the conclusion that my upper control arm bushings are in severe need of replacement.
     

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