Camber Adjustment

[theenico]

Since people are lowering their cars, I thought I'd post how to adjust the camber on our Sonics.

From the factory camber is not adjustable. Neither the struts nor the knuckles have slotted holes.

GM has released special service bolts that can be used to bring a car back into spec. The P/N for these bolts is 11561297. You need one per side and they replace the lower of the two strut to knuckle attachment bolts.

If the desired camber can't be acheived with these, you can search out some 14mm cammed "crash bolts" from the aftermarket. Below is a link to what I am referring to:

http://www.amazon.com/Moog-K90474-Camber-Adjusting-Bolt/dp/compatibility-chart/B000HPQ1EW

 

[SSpeckerwood]

thanks man. i've been getting ready to do the research on this, but you just saved me the time.

 

[theenico]

I saw some camber discussions come up in various threads and figured this was a good time to start a dedicated thread.

 

[Savage_383]

I only need two of these for the front corners right?

Thanks for looking this up!

 

[SSpeckerwood]

i would think so.

the rear is a solid axle so lowering it shouldn't have any effect upon the camber

 

[Savage_383]

i would think so.

the rear is a solid axle so lowering it shouldn't have any effect upon the camber

That's what I thought. I went out and looked at it just to be sure. lol

 

[SSpeckerwood]

lol. now if someone would invent a rear swaybar these sonics could handle the road awesome

 

[Savage_383]

That and some new rubber.
Hopefully I get an 8" rim under there.

I need to figure out how to put a tad more camber on the back to help tackle some cones.

 

[Papasonic]

Search Results sonic camber adjustment

Here is another link to camber adjustment.

Papasonic

 

[theenico]

Thanks Papasonic. That link contains the exact procedure and illustrations from the GM PI that I got the P/N from at work.

 

[GunBlade]

Just ordered the gm ones. Turns out they are on the west coast so anyone over there can get them fast. I have about a week wait over on the east coast. total cost of the 2 parts came to 9.95$

 

[bmiles]

Would the factory set or the aftermarket bolt be best for lowering solution? How do the adjustments and measurements differ?

 

[theenico]

Depends on how crazy you want to get with the camber. If you want to run more than -1 degree, go with the aftermarket bolts. If you just want to bring it back into the sweet spot of the stock alignment spec, go with the GM bolts.

 

[SSpeckerwood]

will the hardware it currently has in it bring it back to the stock alignment??

 

[theenico]

The current hardware is fixed. The stock bolts are splined interference bolts that have no play.

Being a strut though, there isn't much of a camber curve on these cars. As such, I don't believe that lowering springs will take them very far out of spec if at all. I would just put the springs on and have the alignment checked. If it's out of spec, have the shop install the bolts and re-adjust.

 

[DMTurner85]

I aligned my Sonic with 176 miles on it and the readings were ridiculous for a new car. Picked up the GM bolts and was able to bring everything back into stock specs, with a little extra play to allow for a mild lowering. One thing that was upsetting were the caster readings, almost bad enough to cause a pull. Rear camber is also out, but nothing I can do there.

 

[wingman]

Local dealer has the service nuts, but do not carry the bolts. Any specs on the service bolt size?

 

[iraqivet]

dont know why you would have to buy these. the camber is just done on the strut buy pushing or pulling on the strut by top bolt before you tighten it down,

and when i had my alinment done they had no prob getting it where it needed to be with the stock bolts and i beleave i am still the lowest sonic,


the camber and toe are in the stock range even this low with no camber bolts
save your money.

 

[JohnT]

dont know why you would have to buy these. the camber is just done on the strut buy pushing or pulling on the strut by top bolt before you tighten it down,

and when i had my alinment done they had no prob getting it where it needed to be with the stock bolts and i beleave i am still the lowest sonic,


the camber and toe are in the stock range even this low with no camber bolts
save your money.

The factory bolts do not allow for any pushing or pulling, hence the GM crash bolts...which allow exactly what you are talking about^. If you're alignment guy didn't change the bolts, all he can adjust is toe with the tie rods. At that height you are probably producing positive dynamic camber.

I would just order some online...I think I paid $13ish shipped from gmpartsdirect. You're going to have a hard time finding a bolt with adequate flange to make good contact at the hardware store. These things have a propensity to slip under hard cornering or large bumps...which is why they made it not adjustable from the factory.

I can measure them tomorrow if you really want, but its cold and I don't want to go outside. The nuts are the same as the stock size, as are the bolts except they are threaded all the way instead of a a collar on the end.

 

[wingman]

They may be within spec, but that is not what I am looking for. I want to try a bit more negative camber.

I think you may be correct John. If its a PITA, don't worry about the measurements. I can buy the nut and match a bolt to it. Are the factory nuts crush nuts?