Camber/Caster

626ofall · 3-11-09, 2:57

I read that with the top of the front struts on my 99 626, that I can take the 4 block bolts off and push them down and rotate them to the correct camber/caster adjustment. I tried this today, and noticed that the tops of the struts don't rotate or turn. What can I do?

Norm Peterson · 3-11-09, 8:20

It is possible that your strut bearings are bad, but as long as the car can be steered you should be able to do the rotation for alignment. Make sure that the studs have all dropped down below the strut tower top.

FWIW, this only allows four possible combinations of caster and camber adjustment.

Which alignment setting (caster or camber) are you trying to change, and what is it at now?

Understand that you will have to at least check toe afterward, and may have to adjust that a little since changing either of the other two will change the toe setting.

Norm

626ofall · 3-11-09, 14:43

I'm not sure how to even tell where its set. I had the top all the way down and free of the bolt holes, but it still wouldn't turn. I can say that the notch on both sides of the center ring is forward to rear. On the drivers side its side to side instead. I'm trying to adjust the camber to a more negative position, because it seems its too positive on the passenger side. I think that is the problem because it is pulling to the passenger side and the tire wear on only the front passenger tire is much greater on the outside of the tire. As for the toe, I haven't gotten around to chwecking that yet, but I intend on checking it

Norm Peterson · 3-12-09, 10:10

The strut mount should turn without excessive effort unless the strut bearing is bad, and in that case steering the car with the front wheels up off the ground and the engine off would also be difficult.

Assuming that the strut bearing is OK, the next question deals with the strut mount being separated from the upper spring seat by this bearing. Are you trying to turn more than just the strut mount?

Norm

626ofall · 3-12-09, 22:40

I'm not sure what I'm doing anymore

I am going to throw it up on stands again and see if I cna turn it and I am going to find a diagram of all the parts and see just what I'm turning or not turning. I intend on doing that tomorrow morning. I will let you know what I discover asap. Thank you for all your help so far!

**Einstein** · 3-14-09, 18:04

The correct setting is for the indicator tabs to be pointing to the rear, and outwards.

John

626ofall · 3-15-09, 16:34

The weather hasn't been cooperating, so I haven't been able to mess with it any further. However, I had my car up on stands a little over a month ago, and the wheels would turn just fine at that point, so I assume the strut bearings are still good. I also thought of something. What if on the 98 and later models, the struts are designed differently? Maybe that could make it different to turn them in some way? Also, what does the indicator tab look like?

**Einstein** · 3-15-09, 17:49

At the top of the strut you should see the rubber mount.. at the edge of the circle, there will be a bit of extra rubber sticking up... you can't miss it.

John

tjvjr · 2-25-10, 23:05

my tabs are not set as stated above,should i change them to the position stated above or would an alignment shop have done this?the struts look as if they've been changed by the previous owner.i plan to take it for a alignment soon but i thought i should correct this to prevent tire wear until then.btw-the tires that came off the car had more wear on the inside and im petty sure it had had an alignment before the struts were changed and there are no markings(reference marks to reinstall them)at all.i know this is an older post but any help would be appreciated.also my other 6 tabs are set as stated above,so it leads me to believe they all should be,idk.

**monoxidechild** · 2-26-10, 6:01

when i got an alignment, i had to tell the workers how to adjust the front by turning the strut mounts. they had no clue. pretty sad.

tjvjr · 2-26-10, 7:33

so more than likely this was done by accident when the former owner reinstalled(or had) the struts,because the tires from what i can tell(by what was left in the car papers ect.)were rotated about the same time and were wearing good,but just starting to show some on the inside-in other worse the rotated tires look good.