Omega Owners Forum - Rear camber problems

Bumbazor

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Rear camber problems
05. May 2011 at 09:49

I've noticed what seems to be a massive misalignment of the camber on my rear wheels.

I can't get a picture but it's really obvious to look at, and instead of almost vertical; eg:
| |

they look more like:
/ \

They're not as angled as that but they do look way out.

I replaced the springs about a year ago, so I don't think they are the cause. I have read up on other causes such as the bushes etc, but until I can get under and have a look I won't know for sure.

Any ideas what I should be looking for? Is it likely to be easy to spot?

Thanks

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To do: Replace brake discs and pads; adjust already replaced shoes; check for leaks in oil cooler, cambelt area, crank seals, sump, dipstick; replace osf door; replace a tyre; clean, MOT.

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TheBoy Administrator Offline TBE has an MOT! Posts: 64817 Brackley, Northants Gender: Drives: 98 MV6, 03 Elite, 00 25, 89 ZX10	Re: Rear camber problems Reply #1 - 05. May 2011 at 09:55 They do have some camber on them. To find out iff excessive, you need to measure the angle...
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Bumbazor

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Drives: 99 (T) 2.5 V6 CDX with FL bumpers and some Elite stuff

Re: Rear camber problems
Reply #2 - 05. May 2011 at 10:09

I've just been and measured them (not professionally, but not sloppily either!). I reckon about 4° off vertical, certainly way more that the 1° or whatever it is for the fronts.
Is that bad?
I'm going to replace the rear track rods anyway because one is seized, and I was planning a trip to WIM to get it properly set up so I wanted to make sure I had checked and replaced anything that needs it.

4° just seems a bit too much. When looking at the front wheels, if you didn't know they were set correctly, you'd say they are vertical because there's not much camber, but the rear wheels have very obvious camber and I just can't think I've ever seen anything that 'bad'.

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To do: Replace brake discs and pads; adjust already replaced shoes; check for leaks in oil cooler, cambelt area, crank seals, sump, dipstick; replace osf door; replace a tyre; clean, MOT.

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Marks DTM Calib Administrator Offline Ex Member Posts: 25671 Northern Hemisphere Gender: Drives: Astra J, Mum Bus, Dexta Tractor, 108 DMU wip	Re: Rear camber problems Reply #3 - 05. May 2011 at 10:26 So your seeing a 28mm difference off the vertical across the wheel rim! (which would be 4deg!)
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Bumbazor Senior Member Offline Posts: 579 Worksop Gender: Drives: 99 (T) 2.5 V6 CDX with FL bumpers and some Elite stuff	Re: Rear camber problems Reply #4 - 05. May 2011 at 10:39 It's hard to measure now but that's about right. If the track rods were bent, but not visibly so, could they cause it? edit: 18" rims
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TheBoy Administrator Offline TBE has an MOT! Posts: 64817 Brackley, Northants Gender: Drives: 98 MV6, 03 Elite, 00 25, 89 ZX10	Re: Rear camber problems Reply #5 - 05. May 2011 at 10:50 I seem to recall mine running at about 2.5 degrees, give or take, I'd have to check the alignment figures. One side on the MV6 is a lot more, suspected bent hub or trailing arm, but can't begin to check that until the bush/spring/shock situation is resolved.
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Marks DTM Calib Administrator Offline Ex Member Posts: 25671 Northern Hemisphere Gender: Drives: Astra J, Mum Bus, Dexta Tractor, 108 DMU wip	Re: Rear camber problems Reply #6 - 05. May 2011 at 10:51 Worth double checking, are you using a spirit level. 18 inch wheels would be 32mm! You should see something like 10-20mm ish at a guess (they do have a fair amount of camber)
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Bumbazor

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Posts: 579
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Drives: 99 (T) 2.5 V6 CDX with FL bumpers and some Elite stuff

Re: Rear camber problems
Reply #7 - 05. May 2011 at 11:21

I'll have to do a proper check at home with the correct equipment but it just seems way out, just by sight.

So 'if' they are indeed misaligned, I should check the bushes, springs, shocks, before moving on to something being bent?

Having said that it is entirely possible both wheels have had a big bang on a pothole or kerb, could that have bent something?

Is there any easy way to tell a knackered bush or shock? Springs should be fairly easy to see damage...

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To do: Replace brake discs and pads; adjust already replaced shoes; check for leaks in oil cooler, cambelt area, crank seals, sump, dipstick; replace osf door; replace a tyre; clean, MOT.

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TheBoy

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TBE has an MOT!

Posts: 64817
Brackley, Northants
Gender: male

Drives: 98 MV6, 03 Elite, 00 25, 89 ZX10

Re: Rear camber problems
Reply #8 - 05. May 2011 at 11:41

Bush will show with excessive play. Arms and hubs, not always possible to see damage, looking at my MV6 (which may or may not have such a problem), but if you can see something bent...

Shocks, I would expect this to either be obvious with a normal shock test, or have differing ride heights.

The more I think about it, more I think yours is probably OK, esp if its about the same each side. Large wheels may make it more obvious, and lowering will increase the camber by design.

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Bumbazor

Senior Member

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Posts: 579
Worksop
Gender: male

Drives: 99 (T) 2.5 V6 CDX with FL bumpers and some Elite stuff

Re: Rear camber problems
Reply #9 - 05. May 2011 at 12:45

I've tried to get the size of the wheels as close to the originals as possible, but there is a slight difference of course.
And yes, the 'problem' is much the same each side, although the car is not lowered. I will do some proper measurements tonight.

A related question: where can I get some new rear track rods (complete, not the individual ends)?
Is there a part number for them? I did a search but only found results for the front, and I need the rear.

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To do: Replace brake discs and pads; adjust already replaced shoes; check for leaks in oil cooler, cambelt area, crank seals, sump, dipstick; replace osf door; replace a tyre; clean, MOT.

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Bumbazor Senior Member Offline Posts: 579 Worksop Gender: Drives: 99 (T) 2.5 V6 CDX with FL bumpers and some Elite stuff	Re: Rear camber problems NOW WITH PICTURE Reply #10 - 05. May 2011 at 14:40 Here's a picture of the nearside, and that really is the angle the wheel is at; it's not down to the position of my camera or me being off-angle. It's an accurate picture of what it looks like when standing behind it. Oddly, there doesn't seem to be uneven wear on the tyre but it just doesn't look 'normal'.
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TheBoy Administrator Offline TBE has an MOT! Posts: 64817 Brackley, Northants Gender: Drives: 98 MV6, 03 Elite, 00 25, 89 ZX10	Re: Rear camber problems Reply #11 - 05. May 2011 at 16:40 If I could remember where I'd left my Omegas, I'd go and photo them... (yes, I know, long story)
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chrisgixer Omega King Offline Black ones are faster. Posts: 14570 Wokingham Gender: Drives: "Omega Black" 3.2 Elite. Thanks to Joshwyatt.	Re: Rear camber problems Reply #12 - 05. May 2011 at 23:19 Haynes quotes -1.50 for saloon, -1.40 estate for rear camber although Wim may have something more vertical...?
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chrisgixer Omega King Offline Black ones are faster. Posts: 14570 Wokingham Gender: Drives: "Omega Black" 3.2 Elite. Thanks to Joshwyatt.	Re: Rear camber problems Reply #13 - 05. May 2011 at 23:34 And this was taken from the front while setting the toe diy before Wim. So this is a pre set up picture. But the settings needed little attention.0.20 minutes was the biggest error iirc. In short rear camber is not dis similar to the front. If that helps.
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o-meg-a Senior Member Offline avatar disabled meantime as its mahoosive! Posts: 592 south wales Gender: Drives: '97 2.5td estate - Manual - chipped	Re: Rear camber problems Reply #14 - 06. May 2011 at 08:33 My rear camber is 2.something when i last checked, But i see no uneven tyre wear at all and the toes are correct. So i dont know really ....4 does sound a bit much, but are you sure its that.
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