Dana30 Camber?

Hi all.
I think the left front wheel of my Dana30's camber is way off.
The bottom of the tyre looks to be running inwards towards the engine, and the top obviously out.
The Jeep is still without the tub, so I can't take it to a wheel alignment shop yet.
Is there a way to adjust the camber, or is the housing bent?

thanks,
Okkie.

 

Camber is built in to the housing. You sure it's the housing and not the ball joints?

I recall you can get ball joints with an eccentric adjustment that will let you adjust the camber.

In my experience, if the axle housing breaks, that break is most likely where the axle tubes insert into the cast center section (the pumpkin). You could level one side of the axle and see if the other side is level, to check the alignment of the tubes.

 

That's good advice thanks.
So if I understand you correctly, if I turn the balljoint, the camber should change.
That is if the ball joint is eccentric, or "off centre"?

 

Probably not the existing balljoint...I think Tim was referring to a ball joint that is specifically designed for that.

 

Stock the ball joints do not have an eccentric. There is an eccentric insert for the upper ball joint available through the aftermarket. IIRC Specialty Products Inc. has them available if needed.

 

Great thanks.
I'll check them out.

 

I'm thinking if it's out so much that you notice it there's something else going on. Doesn't matter how much or how little weight is on the front end it's not going to affect the camber like it would on a long arm/short arm front suspension. Pretty good article here, shows the adjustable upper balljoint sleeve. http://www.jeepfan.com/projects/camber-adjustment.htm

 

I used the shims on my Dana 30 to correct the positive camber. It seems easier than doing ball joints, unless you have to replace them anyway.

 

Rick.
Are'nt you refering to caster?

 

They also make shims that go between the spindle and knuckle to adjust camber. Almost forgot about those. I think that may be what Rick is talking about.

 

Ah ok thanks.I did'nt know it can be done with shims as well.
I only knew about the shims for caster correction.

 

Yeah, Nickmil's correct, they are for correcting camber. I also put in some shims for castor between the spring and axle to give me a little more positive castor. Helped the tracking quite a bit.

 

NAPA has the shims that go between the spindle and the knuckle however they don't provide a great amount of correction only 2 degrees max. It might just appear that your camber is off when it isn't. I had the came issue when I put a bone yard axle under my rig. When I first installed the axle it looked out of camber but when I took it to a alignment shop it was damn near perfect. I was convinced the camber was out of wack and could hardly believed it when the alignment guy showed be the print out off the alignment machine.

 

Depending on the year the camber spec can be as much as much as 1.5 degrees positive and be normal, my 72 has 1.5 on the left and 1.25 on the right.

 

Great info thanks guys.
I will wait until it is on the road, and then take to an alignment shop to reveal the truth.