Front Macpherson Camber Adjustment
 

I've got an SA that is getting close to running and I'd like to autocross it next year. I'd like to put in more negative camber. The two ways I'm aware of are Camber Bolts in the lower arm. I don't like camber bolts because they are so small that they've got to be weaker than the factory bolts and in my only experience with them, they slip a lot. Upper Camber plates are expensive. I have come up with a new (to me) idea of grinding some of the lower strut mount. I am going to slot the upper bolt on the lower mounting area of the strut. This seems to be a really good idea so I can't be the only person who has thought of this. Is there a reason that this isn't done? The combination of using full size bolts at factory torque spec combined with, it's free, just slot the tab and it's good to go seems to me to be the hot setup. I'm hoping some smart suspension guy will tell me this is dumb before I just do it.

There's something I'm not getting about your setup. The bottom of the 1st gen struts bolt to the ball joint. The second gen has the two bolts that I think you're describing. If you’re using second gen struts then you can slot the holes and get some camber. You probably can’t too much before you lay the top of the tire over into the spring or strut but you could use wheel spacers to make it clear. If you have a first gen you can re drill or slot the inner control arm mount holes. If it was me, I’d get the mount holes or slots where you want them and then weld washers over the slot where you want the bolt to stay.

There's really no replacement for a proper set of camber plates. Any other option requires you to crawl under the car to make a change, and will effect toe settings with every adjustment you make. Just not worth it in my opinion.

Also, even with camber plates you will be limited on how much camber you can get. This is due to the spring getting in the way. If you switch to coilovers, then you get the full range.

I can understand working on a budget though, so this might not be an option for you.



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