07SGT5687 Posted August 3, 2010 Report Share Posted August 3, 2010 Okay so I know out cars have the FR3 suspension on them, and I've heard they therefore have an aggressive uncorrected camber angle. Well I have a multi-part question... Is it "out of line" to want to apply some camber plates to correct these so I don't trash my front tires every 5000 miles? When I put the new wheels on a couple weeks ago, I noticed that at only 5k miles, the front tires were worn FLAT on the insides. Now that I have $300+ each tires on the car, I'd like to not have that happen again! I know I'll give up some track performance, but this is 90% daily driver, 10% track car (unfortunately). Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmn444 Posted August 3, 2010 Report Share Posted August 3, 2010 camber bolts are a much cheaper alternative... plus i heard the plates can be noisy, but not 100% sure about that.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheKurgan Posted August 3, 2010 Report Share Posted August 3, 2010 Okay so I know out cars have the FR3 suspension on them, and I've heard they therefore have an aggressive uncorrected camber angle. Well I have a multi-part question... Is it "out of line" to want to apply some camber plates to correct these so I don't trash my front tires every 5000 miles? When I put the new wheels on a couple weeks ago, I noticed that at only 5k miles, the front tires were worn FLAT on the insides. Now that I have $300+ each tires on the car, I'd like to not have that happen again! I know I'll give up some track performance, but this is 90% daily driver, 10% track car (unfortunately). Thoughts? I think you've answered your own question. I'd look into the Maxim Motorsports CC plates if your having excessive tire wear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karashemshek Posted August 3, 2010 Report Share Posted August 3, 2010 Just recently had problems also with front end tire wear. Ford dealership correction: Aligned all four wheels Adjusted camber on both tires at front struts Realign all I am hoping this has solved the problem. At almost $300.00, it wasn't a cheap fix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
springer Posted August 3, 2010 Report Share Posted August 3, 2010 Try the camber bolts. It worked for me and many others here. Camber plates aren't really necessary unless you're making adjustments all the time, or into heavy racing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IASHELBYGT Posted August 4, 2010 Report Share Posted August 4, 2010 Try the camber bolts. It worked for me and many others here. Camber plates aren't really necessary unless you're making adjustments all the time, or into heavy racing. I bought the camber bolts ($35) and then had the alignment set ($65) to close to factory setting with sllightly negative camber. So $100 total and no issues after that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmn444 Posted August 4, 2010 Report Share Posted August 4, 2010 this reminds me that I never got it officially aligned after i put the camber bolts in.... I used a square against the garage floor and the tire to get them both set the same, possible that the floor is off, but my measurements to the fender edge are so close I don't know that I'll worry about it unless the tires begin to show signs of uneven wear again.... I figure the rears will wear out far before the fronts regardless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motorjock205 Posted August 4, 2010 Report Share Posted August 4, 2010 The camber bolts work GREAT! I added a set of Ingall's Bolts to my SGT and the mechanic at the Ford Dealership said they were much easier to install and use than the Roush bolts they had been using. I have used caster/camber plates only once on a 96 GT I had, but it had been wrecked and the left side was out on the Caster a tad...The plates corrected it back to specifications, but they were noisy at times...My SGT was at almost -2 degrees of camber. I had it set to factory 2008 specs, and it handles fine...If you are going to be going to the track from time to time, I'd split the camber, maybe set it to -.75 degree so you'll still get good wear for daily driving and good handling on the track.... Good Luck Carl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilmor Posted August 4, 2010 Report Share Posted August 4, 2010 I must be lucky. I have over 8500 miles on mine, have even autocrossed it and done track days, yet have no unusual tire wear. Why would this be? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmn444 Posted August 4, 2010 Report Share Posted August 4, 2010 I had about 12k on mine when i got the new tires i think... the old ones were just worn on the very inside edge, they probably had another 5k miles before it was a problem area, but i didn't notice/see the wear without taking the rims off the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SGT0128 Posted August 4, 2010 Report Share Posted August 4, 2010 The camber bolts work GREAT! I added a set of Ingall's Bolts to my SGT and the mechanic at the Ford Dealership said they were much easier to install and use than the Roush bolts they had been using. I have used caster/camber plates only once on a 96 GT I had, but it had been wrecked and the left side was out on the Caster a tad...The plates corrected it back to specifications, but they were noisy at times...My SGT was at almost -2 degrees of camber. I had it set to factory 2008 specs, and it handles fine...If you are going to be going to the track from time to time, I'd split the camber, maybe set it to -.75 degree so you'll still get good wear for daily driving and good handling on the track.... Good Luck Carl Is this what you purchased? http://www.ingallseng.com/mmy.php?year=2008&make=54&model=688&bbpart=Camber%20Kit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmn444 Posted August 4, 2010 Report Share Posted August 4, 2010 i got the same kit from summit.... camber bolts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
07SGT5687 Posted August 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2010 Good stuff! Thanks guys! Glad I asked before spending $350 on plates. Guess I just had it in my head that plates where the only option. So have any of you installed the bolts yourself and then had it aligned? I tend to TRY and do whatever I can personally. But suspension stuff is often difficult to do in the garage with loaded and unloaded parts. If it's not a DIY, would you all feel comfortable with a decent tire shop doing this, or would this be something for a dedicated Ford Mech? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmn444 Posted August 4, 2010 Report Share Posted August 4, 2010 I did mine myself, really pretty simple to swap the bolts, as long as you've got the tires off the ground, there's nothing loaded onto the fastener, you can just take out the old, and put the new in it's place, then loosen the 2nd botl a little in order to adjust the camber bolt and that's it... I think I started with both sides adjusted to the maximum that the bolts allow, set the car back down to measure, and ended up backing one off a little to get them closer to the same, but i've got no real clue what my camber is set to, only that they aren't noticeably leaning in anymore... my tires aren't that high dollar or else i'd have taken it in for a real allignment by now.... good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
07SGT5687 Posted August 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2010 Cool. Think I'll try it myself then. Got a new Adjustable Panhard yesterday to center the rear too. Sounds like a couple of good weekend projects. I've noticed the steering is pretty twitchy now after putting the larger wheels/tires on. I'm thinking thats from this aggressive camber being more evident with the firmer and shorter sidewall it's riding on now. My guess is it was more easily naturally compensated by the tire with the stock 18s. I'm hoping this gets me flat again so it drives a little "truer" too. Oh and not thrashing my tires would be nice too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
07SGT5687 Posted August 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2010 Next stupid question. Are those 2 bolts for one side, or both sides? So I need 2 or 4 bolts? And, um... can anyone actually tell me which bolts they are and where? I've never actually screwed with front suspension at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmn444 Posted August 4, 2010 Report Share Posted August 4, 2010 you need 2 bolts only. there are 2 per side, but just swapping one on each side should give you enough adjustment. the instructions tell you which bolt (upper/lower) to swap if just doing one, pretty straight forward! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmn444 Posted August 4, 2010 Report Share Posted August 4, 2010 and once you take off a front tire, it will be obvious, there are two bolts that hold the spindle to the strut, you are only replacing one of them, and i'm pretty sure it's the top BOTTOM one if i remember right. DON'T loosen the other one and the one you are replacing should just slide right in after taking the old one out. edited for a bad memory! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmn444 Posted August 4, 2010 Report Share Posted August 4, 2010 OH, and mark the new bolt head or take note of the little arrow on it to know where the high point on the cam is, this will help you know that both bolts are adjusted close to the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
07SGT5687 Posted August 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2010 Awesome. Thanks again. This is the best forum I've ever been on. You guys are very helpful. Cheers, JR EDITED - I don't type so well sometimes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
07SGT5687 Posted August 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2010 $29.94 delivered from Summit Racing. Thanks again guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatboy Posted August 5, 2010 Report Share Posted August 5, 2010 I must be lucky. I have over 8500 miles on mine, have even autocrossed it and done track days, yet have no unusual tire wear. Why would this be? i have 10k and i dont see any unusual tire wear either. ford rotated them at least once. i just drive mostly through town. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
07SGT5687 Posted August 5, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2010 This is kind of confusing as to why the tire wear is so drastically different. I'll take pics of my tires tonight to show you. Regardless, I ordered the camber bolts yesterday and they have an estimated delivery date of Monday. I'm hoping that solves both the tire wear and annoying "shimmy" at highway speed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motorjock205 Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 Is this what you purchased? http://www.ingallseng.com/mmy.php?year=2008&make=54&model=688&bbpart=Camber%20Kit YUP, that would be the ones! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motorjock205 Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 This is kind of confusing as to why the tire wear is so drastically different. I'll take pics of my tires tonight to show you. Regardless, I ordered the camber bolts yesterday and they have an estimated delivery date of Monday. I'm hoping that solves both the tire wear and annoying "shimmy" at highway speed. A little mis-information in some of the earlier posts....Replace the lower bolt on each side...NOT the top bolt... I had my Ford Dealer do it since I was going to have the alignment done at the same time...they had to put it up in the air to do it anyway, so it was a no brainer to me...saved me from having to mess with it...I was allowed to watch the mechanic while he did the install, and it was very straight forward...I've not had any problems at all since I had mine done several months ago... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MMcGuirk Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 Try the camber bolts. It worked for me and many others here. Camber plates aren't really necessary unless you're making adjustments all the time, or into heavy racing. My $.02 - I respectfully disagree. CC plates also adjust caster and the correct caster setting will make your car feel like a million $. Over time, bushings and suspension components wear and alignment will need to be reset. MM Shelby CC plates are $299.00 and I got mine with free shipping and a TS discount. A really worthwhile investment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
07SGT5687 Posted August 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 A little mis-information in some of the earlier posts....Replace the lower bolt on each side...NOT the top bolt... I had my Ford Dealer do it since I was going to have the alignment done at the same time...they had to put it up in the air to do it anyway, so it was a no brainer to me...saved me from having to mess with it...I was allowed to watch the mechanic while he did the install, and it was very straight forward...I've not had any problems at all since I had mine done several months ago... But the bolts I bought are still correct right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
07SGT5687 Posted August 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 A little mis-information in some of the earlier posts....Replace the lower bolt on each side...NOT the top bolt... I had my Ford Dealer do it since I was going to have the alignment done at the same time...they had to put it up in the air to do it anyway, so it was a no brainer to me...saved me from having to mess with it...I was allowed to watch the mechanic while he did the install, and it was very straight forward...I've not had any problems at all since I had mine done several months ago... But the bolts I bought are still correct right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmn444 Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 caster is very important to how a car tracks down the road, but the lowered suspension shouldn't have affected that on this type of suspension, i've only run across caster issues on leaf spring setups (trucks/jeeps/etc).... i could be wrong though.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmn444 Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 yes, the bolts are correct, you can use them in either/both holes, but for most cars only one is needed per side. and yeah, motorjock is right, i remembered wrong, tooooo much paint fume exposure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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