Measuring camber

[moray]

Hi all,

I'm about to check / adjust the front alignment on my trav.

From reading here most people seem to recommend setting slight negative camber before adjusting toe in.

Problem is how do you measure the camber angle?

Cheers
Moray

[bmcecosse]

Obviously there are specialist garages/gauges to do this. For the DIYer it's a flat surface and either a spirit level or a plumb bob! Don't worry about getting a precise setting - just get both sides the same !

[moray]

Thanks Bmc,

I did a google search and found a simple way to measure it using a spirit level, vernier calipers and a piece of timber.

You cut the timber to length of the diameter of the rim. Then tape it to the spirit level.
Rest one end on the edge of the rim and then use the calipers to measure the distance between the rim and the other end of the timber, while the spirit level is exactly vertical.

From there it's bit of maths to get the setting.

Inverse tan of the measurement divided by the length of the timber.

I'm my case inverse tan(10.5 mm / 390 mm) = 1.5 degrees.

If the gap is at the top of the wheel it's negative, if at the bottom it's positive.

Unfortunately all I could do was even up both sides, my eyebolts aren't long enough to get a negative setting.

[bmcecosse]

And it does depend on a flat/horizontal surface - so ideally you would turn the car round - sitting the front wheels on the same spots - and measure again. It's usually possible to get a small amount of negative - but if you have them at least vertical - that's an improvement! Of course - the tracking needs setting now too......