Camber Arms with Fitting Position Front Axle

What Are Camber Arms?

Camber arms are suspension arms designed to provide or alter camber adjustment as part of a vehicle's wheel alignment. They replace or change the geometry of a relevant suspension arm so the position of the wheel can be adjusted relative to the suspension.

Adjustable camber arms are particularly useful when the required camber setting cannot be achieved using the adjustment available in the original suspension. Depending on the suspension design, they may be fitted at the front or rear and can take the place of an upper, lower or other suspension link that influences camber.

The exact design, fitting position and adjustment method vary between applications. Camber arms should therefore be selected according to the specific suspension configuration and required alignment correction rather than treated as a universal component.

What Is Camber and Why Does It Matter?

Camber is the inward or outward inclination of a wheel when viewed from the front or rear of the vehicle.

When the top of the wheel tilts inwards relative to the bottom, this is known as negative camber. When it tilts outwards, it is positive camber. A wheel positioned vertically has approximately zero static camber.

Camber forms one part of the overall wheel-alignment geometry alongside measurements such as caster and toe.

The appropriate camber setting depends on the vehicle, suspension design, ride height, tyres and intended use. There is no universal camber angle that delivers the best result for every application.

Incorrect or unsuitable camber can contribute to uneven tyre wear and can change how the tyre interacts with the road. However, camber should not be considered in isolation. Toe, worn suspension components, tyre pressures and other factors can also affect tyre wear and vehicle behaviour.

How Adjustable Camber Arms Work

An adjustable camber arm allows the effective position or length of a suspension link to be altered within a specified range.

Changing this relationship can reposition the wheel or suspension mounting geometry and therefore change its camber angle.

The exact mechanism varies by product. Some arms use threaded adjustment, while other designs may achieve correction through different mounting or adjustment arrangements. Adjustment ranges also vary considerably between applications.

This is why adjustable camber arms provide additional alignment capability, rather than automatically providing a particular camber setting.

Once an arm has been installed, the final camber angle needs to be measured using wheel-alignment equipment and adjusted to an appropriate specification. Simply fitting an adjustable arm does not establish the correct alignment by itself.

When Is Additional Camber Adjustment Needed?

Additional camber adjustment may be required when the desired alignment setting falls outside the range available with the existing suspension.

One common reason is a change in ride height. Raising or lowering a vehicle changes the position in which its suspension normally operates. Depending on the suspension geometry, this can also change static camber.

Camber arms may also be considered when:

• the available factory camber adjustment is insufficient;
• suspension modifications have altered wheel geometry;
• a particular alignment setup requires greater adjustment capability;
• an existing arm requires replacement and an adjustable alternative is appropriate; or
• camber cannot be brought to the required specification using the existing adjustment method.

An out-of-spec camber measurement does not automatically mean a camber arm is required. Worn bushes, damaged suspension components, incorrect ride height or structural problems can also affect wheel position.

The cause of the alignment problem should be established before additional adjustment is introduced.

Camber Arms vs Camber Bolts

Camber arms and camber bolts can both provide camber adjustment, but they do so in different ways.

A camber arm changes geometry through the suspension arm or link itself. Depending on the design, altering the arm changes the position of the relevant suspension mounting points and therefore the wheel's camber.

A camber bolt provides adjustment at a compatible bolted suspension connection. Its eccentric or offset design allows the relationship between connected components to be changed as the bolt is rotated.

Neither solution is automatically preferable.

Which method is appropriate depends on the suspension design, fitting location, adjustment range required and the components available for that application. Some vehicles may have more than one possible method of gaining additional camber adjustment, while others require a particular solution.

Camber arms should therefore be selected because they suit the suspension and alignment requirements, not simply because greater adjustment is assumed to be better.

Front and Rear Camber Arms

Camber adjustment can be required at either end of a vehicle, depending on its suspension design.

A front camber arm affects geometry within the front suspension. The actual arm involved depends on how that suspension locates the wheel and provides its alignment settings.

A rear camber arm performs the equivalent role within a compatible rear suspension arrangement. Adjustable rear camber arms are commonly used where changing ride height or suspension setup moves rear camber outside the desired alignment range.

Front and rear camber arms are not interchangeable, and even arms fitted at the same end of different vehicles can use completely different designs.

The fitting position should always be confirmed from the individual product information.

Choosing the Right Camber Arms

Choosing camber arms starts with knowing what alignment correction is actually required.

Ideally, the existing suspension should first be inspected and measured. This establishes the current camber angle and helps determine whether additional adjustment is required or whether another mechanical issue needs attention.

When selecting a camber arm, consider:

• Fitting position: Confirm whether the arm is intended for the front or rear suspension and its specific mounting location.
• Adjustment capability: Check that the product provides the type and range of camber correction required.
• Suspension compatibility: Confirm that the arm suits the relevant suspension configuration.
• Other modifications: Consider ride-height and suspension changes that may affect the required alignment.
• Product-specific construction: Check the individual specifications for materials, bushes, joints, adjustment mechanisms and supplied hardware.

These details vary by product. They should not be assumed simply because two components are both described as camber arms.

Installation and Wheel Alignment

Installing adjustable camber arms changes the suspension's alignment capability, but a wheel alignment is required to establish the final setting correctly.

After installation, camber should be measured using appropriate alignment equipment and adjusted to the required specification. Toe and other relevant alignment measurements should also be checked because suspension geometry can interact, and changing one component can affect more than one measurement.

Adjustable sections and locking hardware must be secured according to the product's installation requirements once the correct setting has been established.

Where suspension components are worn or damaged, these issues should be addressed before completing the final alignment. Additional camber adjustment should not be used simply to disguise another suspension fault.

For modified suspension setups, professional alignment is particularly useful because the most appropriate settings may depend on ride height, suspension configuration, tyres and how the vehicle is intended to be used.

Find Camber Arms at Fulcrum Suspensions

Camber arms are one type of alignment arm, alongside caster arms and toe arms for correcting the other angles.

Find camber arms for a wide range of suspension applications at Fulcrum Suspensions. With specialist suspension knowledge and workshop support available, Fulcrum can help you identify the right camber correction solution for your setup and make sure the final alignment is properly dialled in.