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Camber Issues

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by bigj, Aug 6, 2018.

  1. Aug 6, 2018
    bigj

    bigj New Member

    swanton md
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    What are my options for adjusting camber on a dana 30?
    ...1977 cj5.
     
  2. Aug 6, 2018
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    It's supposed to be welded-in to the axle housing. Apparently you can get special ball joints or shims (?) that make the camber adjustable. But you're not supposed to need to adjust it. I would suspect a bent or broken housing.
     
  3. Aug 6, 2018
    bigj

    bigj New Member

    swanton md
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    How about the torque on the sleeve on the upper? and torque on the nuts?
     
  4. Aug 6, 2018
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    AFAIK it won't change the camber angle. It would have to be an eccentric to make a difference.

    Why do you think you need to change the camber?
     
  5. Aug 6, 2018
    bigj

    bigj New Member

    swanton md
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    top of tire is leaning out, noticeable if I look close enough, steering weaves, going to line up shop later in the week. I wanted to check sleeves and ball joints before I go. I also have caster wedges to add ,4 inch lift, 6 degrees.....looks like I need to pick up new center bolts.
     
  6. Aug 6, 2018
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    Supposedly you can borrow an alignment gauge from Autozone and check the caster and camber yourself. I have not done gone this route - previously I would have suggested a trip to the tire store for a reading from the alignment machine. But maybe you can see where you are less expensively using the gauge.

    I presume you've shaken the wheel, checking for slop in the ball joints. The open knuckle is way more durable than the older closed knuckle axle with kingpin bearings, but still something to consider.
     
    bigj likes this.
  7. Aug 6, 2018
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    It's supposed to be to some degree. Your symptoms lean towards a caster or toe-in issue more than camber.
     
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  8. Aug 6, 2018
    bigj

    bigj New Member

    swanton md
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    everything is new, ground up rebuild, starting with the sandblaster.
     
  9. Aug 6, 2018
    bigj

    bigj New Member

    swanton md
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    I hope your right.
     
  10. Aug 6, 2018
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

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    fwiw mine look like they lean out with the tall skinny tires on it, put a shorter fatter tire on it its not as noticeable...
     
  11. Aug 7, 2018
    NeedsRusteze74

    NeedsRusteze74 New Member

    Sacramento
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    I thought I would put in my 2 cents on this topic being that I actually have a little bit of knowledge because I am an alignment technician. What is most commonly used for straight axle vehicles with no factory adjustment is an offset upper ballpoint. Like stated in an earlier post you shouldn't really have to mess with it unless your jeep pulls or you are getting uneven tire wear.
    I have seen brand new trucks and Jeeps with lower than 5,000 miles on them come through the shop that have terrible camber splits. Its a bummer, but sometimes that happens.
    Personally I would take it somewhere so you can get a print out of what it looks like, then go from there.
    Here is an image of the alignment on my CJ5. The numbers on it look OK, but in a perfect world I would like to see the left side camber at more like the -.02 that the right side is, however it dosen't pull and the tires are wearing evenly so I have no need to mess with it.
    I hope this helps you some.
    [​IMG]
     
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  12. Aug 7, 2018
    bigj

    bigj New Member

    swanton md
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    I haven't been able to find adjustable or offset ball joints for a cj....thanks, I'll get problem solved one way or another.
     
  13. Aug 8, 2018
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
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    You can buy shims that go behind the spindle to change the camber. You'll need to get an alignment reading so you know which ones to buy.
     
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  14. Aug 8, 2018
    bigj

    bigj New Member

    swanton md
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    I have seen those, also found offset inserts for upper ball joints. Summit.
     
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  15. Aug 9, 2018
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I saw those on one D30 I got out of a pile of parts. The other ones didn't have it.
     
  16. Aug 9, 2018
    heavychevy

    heavychevy Sponsor

    Danielsville georgia
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    Alignment is one thing that i farm out. The alignments on vehicles needs instruments to be precise. I try to do as much as possible to a jeep, but a alignment shop can get it to factory specs.
     
  17. Aug 9, 2018
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

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    i used a tape measure and haven't had any issues with tire wear your results may vary.
     
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  18. Aug 13, 2018
    Dphillip

    Dphillip Member

    Omaha NE
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