Really really bad negative camber on left rear wheel
 

OK, here's what we're dealing with... 94 SVX which was involved in a pretty bad incident. The car was slid sideways into a curb at a pretty good speed.

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/files/Bwana/10484.jpg

The car WAS fixed, but ever since then, the camber on the left rear wheel has been off by quite a bit.

Picture of the b0rk3d camber:

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/files/Bwana/12335.jpg

I took the wheel off last night and checked things out. The subframe is really bent up, so I'm going to replace that today. The suspension links, strut, and hub/spindle/bearing have been replaced with new subaru parts.

What else should I be checking?

Mike

Some people WISH they had camber like that.

probably not on just one wheel though.

Well, I dont. I'd prefer to get it to within factory specs. So, any useful information would be great. Thanks!

Mike,
You might want to check with a local alignment shop to see if they have the specs regarding the distance from different reference points on the chassis. Once you've got these dimensions you should be able to just run a tape from the different points to see if everything lines up correctly once you've replaced the subframe, etc. Since the SVX does not have any rear camber adjustment in its stock configuration, my guess is the hub/strut assembly is somehow bent.
-Bill

Well, we made an interesting discovery...

We removed the strut, and found that someone had rounded out the holes on the bottom:

http://www.phobia.net/~mdavis/94pearlie/DSC02983.JPG

We decided to put on a new strut and see what happened. Now we have positive camber.

http://www.phobia.net/~mdavis/94pearlie/DSC02985.JPG

I guess now it's subframe time.

Mike,
You might try picking up a set of rear camber bolts (memory seems to tell me they're around $25-30). Do a search of the site, I know Mychailo posted the part number.
-Bill

That was my thought too. I tried to pick up a set locally today to no avail. I'll hit ebay for them. $19 + $6 shipping.

Mike

I ended up ordering a set of Ingalls Engineering Camber bolts from Summit.

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

Quite funny, it's actually cheaper to have them shipped to me than to go to the Summit store and get them. Gas prices. :eek:

You'll hate 'em. They're crap. We have them on our race car and they are the worst camber bolt I've ever tried to use. Pain in the butt to get in and out. Pain to adjust.

Mike,
Finally dug up what I've been running on my car for the last two seasons (and what Mychailo had on the 5spd SVX he just sold) -- Specialty Products rear camber bolts - #81260. They only cost ~$20 and provide up to ~2 degrees of negative or positive camber (depending on which way the tab is oriented).
-Bill

I found that thread, but ended up going with the ones from Summit because of their reputation. Turns out I made a mistake (based on Ben's input).

I'll give them a shot when i align the car on Thursday. I'm planning on bringing it to reading.

Mike

Reputation doesn't mean they don't sell crap which in today's world is what people seem to want anyways. They sell plenty of good stuff but they also sell low line stuff too.

I received the kit today. Funny, it is part number 81260 just like the speciality products. I'll put it on the alignment rack tonight and install the bolts. I'll let everyone know what happens.

The bolts did the trick! I threw them in and put it on the rack. I didnt even have to adjust anything on that wheel. It was in spec after just throwing in the bolts. Also, I'm not sure what ben was talking about with these bolts. They installed and worked exactly as they were supposed to.

http://www.phobia.net/%7Emdavis/94pe...Picture008.jpg

http://www.phobia.net/%7Emdavis/94pe...Picture009.jpg

Mike