How to Adjust Camber and Caster at Home? And Why is it a Bad Idea?

You can adjust the camber and caster by adding shims and adjusting the control arms and eccentric bolts. However, camber and caster adjustment require professional expertise. Incorrect adjustments can compromise your safety and lead to damage to some parts.

Wheel alignment problems highlights

• Level of importance:medium
• Commonreasons:hitting a curb, potholes, suspension problem, suspension repair
• DIY inspection:impossible
• DIY repair:impossible
• Average price in shops:$150 - $250
• Average time:0.5 - 1 hours
• If ignored:safety issues, tire wear, problems with steering

Explaining Camber and Caster

1) Camber measures inward or outward tilt

Camber describes the inward or outward tilt or angle of the top of your car's wheels when viewed from the rear. The wheels usually should normally stand perpendicular to the ground. 

However, sometimes, the top of the wheels may tilt slightly inward or outward. This tilt is called camber, and it affects car handling and your tires' lifespan. 

They're two types of camber: positive and negative camber.

• Positive camber: Your car has positive camber when the top of the wheels tilt outward.
• Negative camber: Your car has negative camber when the top of the wheels tilt inward.

Both types of camber have their benefits. 

• Positive camber helps with steering wheel control. So, it can make a car more stable when driving in a straight line.
• Positive camber can also enhance grip and handling. This is because it helps to distribute weight when taking turns.
• Negative camber can also improve cornering performance. It does this by increasing tire contact with the road during turns.

However, excessive positive or negative camber can lead to uneven tire wear on the inner edges of the tires.

2) Caster measures the front wheel's forward or backward tilt.

Caster also relates to wheel alignment but with a different definition. It refers to the forward or backward tilt of a car's front wheel when viewed from the side.

A car's front wheels are connected to a suspension system, which in turn connects to the steering. With the steering, you can then pivot the wheels left or right.

The caster angle affects how your wheels respond when you turn the steering wheel. Like camber, the caster also has positive and negative angles.

• Positive caster: Your car has a positive caster when the top of the steering wheel tilts backwards. This would put the front wheels behind the steering axis when turning.
• Negative caster: Your car has a negative caster when the top of the steering tilts forward.

The caster angle determines steering stability and also affects the handling when making turns.

So when handling isn't smooth and turning is problematic, you should check your car camber and castle for adjustments. Here's how.

Adjusting Camber and Caster

We recommend adjusting wheel alignment in professional repair shops only - they have good equipment that helps them precisely set the wheel angles. But, for your information, we will also tell you about wheel alignment as a DIY task.

Adjusting camber and caster involves straightforward techniques. However, expertise is required to avoid errors that can be potentially detrimental.

1) Get the required tools

You'll need some tools for these tasks, which may include:

• Caster/camber gauge
• Alignment shims

2) Gauge alignment

Use the caster/camber gauge to measure the alignment. This would help you estimate the deviation from the norm and how much adjustment is required.

3) Adjusting camber

You can adjust the camber and caster by 

• Adding alignment shims
• Adjusting the control arms
• Adjusting the eccentric bolts

Alignment Shims

Shims are metal sheets available in various thicknesses. To adjust camber using alignment shims, use a jack to get your vehicle up for sufficient access to the wheels. Then, unfasten the adjustment bolts using the appropriate tools.

Now that the bolts are off, insert shims between the vehicle chassis and control arms or strut mounts. 

Measure the angles using your gauge to decide whether to add or remove shims until you achieve the desired alignment. Fasten the bolts, and measure your alignment before lowering your vehicle.

Adjustable Control Arms

Adjustable control arms are part of your car's suspension system to allow you to adjust camber and caster angles.

As with the shim insertion method, raise the vehicle and loosen the bolts. Locate the control arms and adjust until you have achieved the desired alignment. Replace the bolts and lower your car.

Eccentric Bolts

Eccentric bolts are a special kind of bolts. They have off-center shanks, which allow for adjustments to the positioning of the bolts.

Loosen the adjustment bolts on the wheels. Locate the eccentric bolts. Adjust the caster by rotating both eccentric bolts simultaneously in opposite directions. 

To adjust the camber, rotate the eccentric bolts in the same direction. Use a clockwise direction for positive camber and vice versa.

Replace the locking nuts and gauge your wheels for any further adjustments. When you have achieved the desired alignment, lower your car.

Should You Adjust Camber and Caster at Home?

The steps described above to adjust camber and caster may appeal to DIY freaks. However, the truth is that it's a bad idea unless you're a professional. Plain and simple.

Reasons are abundant. Let's discuss them.

1) Safety Issues 

Firstly, forget the steps you just read. It's not as simple as it seems. You need technical know-how to get on with this. Suspension components directly affect your car's handling and stability and tire wear. 

Incorrect adjustments can cause more problems, such as:

• reduced traction
• uneven tire wear
• steering instability
• reduced brake performance

These problems make your vehicle more prone to accidents. So if you're not a professional, toss those tools back into their box and head for the mechanic.

2) Loss of Warranty

You may also void your warranty if you tamper with the car's alignment system. Some warranty agreements mandate repairs at only authorized places.

Losing your warranty will make you spend more money in the long run if you need repairs in the future, which is inevitable.

Final Thoughts

Camber and caster are metrics of your car wheel alignment, essential to your car's handling and tire longevity.

You can adjust them when necessary by adding shims, adjusting control arms or eccentric bolts.

However, if it's a bad idea to DIY camber and caster adjustments. Expertise is required to avoid incorrect alignment, which can cause further problems.