If you’re into performance tuning, you’ve likely heard about suspension upgrades. One of the most critical components for dialing in your car’s handling are camber arms. They give you precise control over your wheel alignment, which is essential for maximizing grip and tire wear on modified vehicles.
Getting your alignment right isn’t just about a standard shop visit. When you lower your car or fit wider wheels, the factory suspension can’t adjust enough. That’s where adjustable camber arms come in. They replace the factory control arms, letting you set your camber angle exactly where you want it.
What Do Camber Arms Do?
In simple terms, camber arms let you adjust the camber angle of your wheels. Camber is the inward or outward tilt of the top of your wheel when viewed from the front. Negative camber means the top of the wheel leans in towards the car. Positive camber means it leans out.
Factory cars have a small amount of negative camber for stable daily driving. But for performance driving, you often need more. Camber arms replace the non-adjustable factory upper or lower control arms in your suspension. They have threaded ends or adjustable heim joints that let you lengthen or shorten the arm, changing the wheel’s angle.
Why Camber Adjustment is Essential for Performance
Proper camber adjustment directly impacts how your car grips the road. When you corner hard, your car’s body rolls. This causes the tires to tilt, reducing their contact patch. By setting negative camber, you compensate for this roll. The tire stays flatter against the tarmac during cornering, giving you more grip.
Without enough negative camber, the outside edge of your tire will wear quickly on track. You’ll also experience less predictable handling. Too much camber, however, and you’ll wear the inside edge during straight-line driving. It’s all about finding the perfect balance for your driving style.
The Direct Benefits of Installing Camber Arms
The benefits go beyond just looks. Here’s what you actually gain:
* Optimized Tire Contact Patch: Maximizes the tire’s surface area in corners for better grip.
* Improved Cornering Stability: The car feels more planted and predictable when turning.
* Adjustable Tire Wear: You can spread wear more evenly across the tire’s surface, especially important for track days.
* Corrects Lowered Car Geometry: Fixes excessive negative camber caused by lowering springs or coilovers, saving your tires.
* Fine-Tuned Handling Feel: Allows you to dial in understeer or oversteer characteristics to your preference.
When Do You Really Need Camber Arms?
Not every car needs them immediately. You should seriously consider camber arms in these situations:
1. After Lowering Your Car: This is the most common reason. Lowering changes suspension geometry, often causing too much negative camber in the rear. Arms correct this.
2. For Competitive Driving: Any autocross, track day, or drift event will benefit from precise camber settings.
3. When Installing Wide Wheels: To prevent rubbing and optimize fitment, camber adjustment is often necessary.
4. If You Notice Uneven Tire Wear: Excessive wear on the inside shoulder of your tire is a clear sign you need adjustment.
If you’re just driving a stock car on the street, the factory settings are usually sufficient. But once you modify suspension height, camber arms become a crucial upgrade.
Types of Camber Arms and Their Differences
Camber arms come in different designs for different locations on the suspension. The two main types are upper camber arms and lower camber arms. Some cars use one, some use the other, and some high-end setups use both.
Upper camber arms are common on MacPherson strut front suspensions and multi-link rear suspensions. They replace the factory upper control arm. Lower camber arms are often found in double-wishbone setups. The “best” type depends entirely on your car’s suspension design.
Construction also varies. Street-focused arms often have rubber or polyurethane bushings for quiet operation. Race-oriented arms typically use spherical bearings (heim joints) for zero deflection and ultimate precision, but they can transmit more noise and vibration.
How to Choose the Right Camber Arms for Your Car
Selecting camber arms isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. Follow these steps to make the right choice:
* Research Your Chassis: Look at what successful builds for your car model are using. Online forums are a great resource.
* Define Your Purpose: Daily driver? Weekend track toy? This decides bushing material and required durability.
* Check Brand Reputation: Stick with known manufacturers that offer quality materials and clear instructions.
* Consider Adjustability Range: Ensure the arms offer enough adjustment to reach your target camber settings.
* Budget for Alignment: Remember, the arms are useless without a professional alignment afterward. Factor this cost in.
Don’t just buy the cheapest option. A poorly made arm can fail, which is extremely dangerous. Invest in quality parts from reputable brands.
Step-by-Step: Installing and Setting Up Camber Arms
Installation requires mechanical skill and proper tools. If you’re not confident, leave it to a professional. Here’s a general overview of the process:
1. Safety First: Securely lift and support the car on jack stands. Remove the wheel.
2. Remove the Factory Arm: Unbolt the factory upper or lower control arm at both ends. You may need to support the hub assembly so it doesn’t fall.
3. Install the New Camber Arm: Bolt the new adjustable arm into place. Hand-tighten all bolts initially.
4. Set to Rough Length: Adjust the new arm to roughly the same length as the old one to get the car drivable to an alignment shop.
5. Repeat for Other Side: Complete the installation on the other side of the car.
6. Professional Alignment is a Must: Drive carefully to a specialist alignment shop. They will use their equipment to set the camber (and all other angles) to your specified values.
Never final-torque suspension bolts while the car is in the air. The suspension should be under load (on alignment racks or with weight on wheels) before final tightening to avoid preloading bushings.
Common Camber Settings and Recommendations
There’s no single perfect number. Settings depend on your use case:
* Street Performance (Lowered): -1.5 to -2.5 degrees of camber. This balances grip with reasonable tire wear for daily driving.
* Aggressive Street / Track Day: -2.5 to -3.5 degrees. Increases cornering grip while still being manageable on the street.
* Dedicated Track Car: -3.5 degrees and beyond. Maximum cornering grip is the priority, with tire wear being a secondary concern.
* Drifting: Often uses significant negative camber on the front wheels for steering response, with less in the rear.
Always get a full alignment, checking toe and caster angles. Toe settings have a huge impact on tire wear, often more than camber does. An experienced tuner can help you find the sweet spot.
Avoiding Common Mistakes with Camber Adjustments
It’s easy to get it wrong if you’re new to this. Here are pitfalls to avoid:
* Setting Too Much Camber: It might look cool, but excessive negative camber on a street car ruins tire life and can reduce straight-line braking grip.
* Neglecting Other Angles: Camber doesn’t work alone. Ignoring toe and caster will lead to poor handling and rapid tire wear.
* Cheaping Out on Installation: Incorrect torque or not tightening under load can lead to arm failure or damaged bushings.
* Forgetting to Re-check: After initial setup, check alignment again after 500-1000 miles as components settle.
* Mismatched Front and Rear: Your car’s balance depends on the relationship between front and rear camber. Don’t set them the same without understanding the effect.
Listen to your car and check your tires regularly. They are the best indicator of whether your setup is working.
Maintenance and Long-Term Care for Your Camber Arms
Adjustable arms need a bit more attention than stock parts. Here’s how to keep them in good shape:
* Regular Inspection: Every time you change your oil or rotate tires, visually check the arms for damage, cracks, or loose bolts.
* Listen for Noises: New clunks or squeaks from the suspension could indicate a worn spherical bearing or loose joint.
* Keep Threads Clean: If your arms have threaded adjusters, keep them clean and lightly lubricated to prevent seizing.
* Re-align After Changes: Any significant suspension change or impact means you should get the alignment checked again.
Properly maintained, a good set of camber arms will last for many years and thousands of miles, providing consistent performance.
FAQ: Your Camber Arms Questions Answered
Q: Are camber arms legal for street use?
A: In most places, yes, as long as they are properly installed and the car passes alignment specifications. However, some very strict regions may have rules against certain modifications. It’s best to check your local laws.
Q: Can I install just front or just rear camber arms?
A: You can, but it depends on your goals. If you only lowered the front, you might only need front arms. Often, lowering a car affects the rear more, so rear camber arms are a very common first purchase.
Q: How much do camber arms cost?
A: Prices vary widely from around $200 to over $800 per set, depending on brand, materials, and vehicle. Remember to budget for installation and alignment, which can add another $150-$300.
Q: Do camber arms void my warranty?
A: They can void the warranty on your suspension components, as you are replacing factory parts. It typically does not affect the entire vehicle warranty, but always check with your dealership.
Q: What’s the difference between camber arms and camber bolts?
A: Camber bolts are a simpler, cheaper solution that allows for a small amount of adjustment (usually up to 1.5 degrees) by eccentrically rotating a bolt. Camber arms offer a wider, more robust, and precise range of adjustment, making them essential for significant changes.
Q: Will camber arms make my ride harsher?
A: Not necessarily. If you choose arms with rubber or polyurethane bushings, the ride change is minimal. Arms with spherical bearings will transmit more road feel and vibration into the cabin, which some drivers find undesirable for a daily driver.
Investing in camber arms is a smart move for any serious performance tuning project. They provide the control you need to truly optimize your car’s handling after modifying it. By understanding what they do, choosing the right set, and getting a proper alignment, you’ll unlock a new level of precision and confidence behind the wheel. The difference in how your car corners and feels is often the most noticeable upgrade you can make after lowering. Just take your time, do your research, and enjoy the improved performance.