zaro

What is camber on coilovers?

Published in Suspension Camber Adjustment 4 mins read

Camber on coilovers refers to the measured angle of the wheel and tire assembly relative to true vertical, and how this angle is influenced and adjusted through the use of coilover suspension systems.

What is Camber?

Camber (also known as camber angle) is the measured angle of the wheel/tire centerline vs true vertical. This crucial alignment setting significantly impacts a vehicle's handling, tire wear, and stability. In the automotive world, this measurement is typically expressed in degrees and can be categorized as negative, neutral/zero, or positive.

Types of Camber:

  • Negative Camber:
    • The top of the wheel tilts inward towards the vehicle's chassis.
    • Commonly seen on performance-oriented vehicles, particularly for track use.
    • Enhances cornering grip by allowing more of the tire's contact patch to remain flat on the road during turns.
    • Can increase inner tire wear if excessive.
  • Neutral/Zero Camber:
    • The wheel stands perfectly straight, perpendicular to the road surface.
    • Often found on daily drivers for even tire wear and stable straight-line driving.
  • Positive Camber:
    • The top of the wheel tilts outward away from the vehicle's chassis.
    • Less common in performance applications.
    • Can be used on heavy-duty vehicles or certain off-road setups to compensate for heavy loads or specific terrain.
    • Can increase outer tire wear.

How Coilovers Influence and Allow Camber Adjustment

Coilovers are performance suspension systems that combine a shock absorber and a coil spring into a single unit, typically allowing for adjustable ride height, damping, and often, camber.

  1. Ride Height Impact: Lowering a vehicle with coilovers inherently changes its suspension geometry. For most MacPherson strut-based suspensions (a common front suspension type), lowering often results in an increase in negative camber. This occurs because as the suspension compresses, the control arms pivot, causing the top of the wheel to lean inward.
  2. Built-in Adjustment Features:
    • Camber Plates: Many high-performance coilover kits come equipped with adjustable camber plates at the top of the strut assembly. These plates allow the top mounting point of the coilover to slide inward or outward, directly adjusting the camber angle.
    • Slotted Lower Mounts: Some coilover designs feature slotted holes on the lower mounting bracket where it attaches to the spindle or knuckle. This allows for minor camber adjustments by shifting the coilover's lower position.
    • Adjustable Lower Control Arms (LCAs): While not part of the coilover unit itself, coilovers often necessitate the use of adjustable lower control arms or other adjustable links (especially on multi-link or double-wishbone setups) to achieve the desired camber settings after significant ride height changes.

Importance of Camber Adjustment with Coilovers:

Adjusting camber with coilovers allows drivers to fine-tune their vehicle's handling characteristics to suit various driving conditions and preferences:

  • Optimizing Grip: For track driving, negative camber is crucial for maximizing the tire's contact patch during high-speed cornering, leading to better grip and faster lap times.
  • Balancing Tire Wear: For street-driven cars, a more neutral camber setting helps distribute tire wear evenly across the tread, prolonging tire life.
  • Aesthetics: Some enthusiasts use moderate negative camber for a "stanced" or aggressive look.
  • Correcting Alignment: After lowering a vehicle significantly with coilovers, camber adjustment is often necessary to bring the alignment back within factory specifications for safe and predictable handling, or to set it for specific performance goals.

Practical Insights & Solutions:

  • Tools for Adjustment: Camber adjustments typically require specialized alignment tools or a professional alignment rack. For DIY enthusiasts, a digital camber gauge can provide accurate readings, but a full alignment shop is recommended for final settings.
  • Trial and Error: Finding the optimal camber setting often involves testing and tweaking, especially for track use. Small adjustments can have significant effects on handling.
  • Impact on Other Settings: Adjusting camber can influence other alignment parameters like toe. Therefore, it's essential to perform a full wheel alignment after making significant camber changes.
  • Recommendations:
    • Street Driving: Aim for minimal negative camber (-0.5 to -1.5 degrees, depending on vehicle) to balance handling and tire wear.
    • Track Driving: More aggressive negative camber (-2.0 to -3.5+ degrees) can be beneficial, but this will increase inner tire wear for street use.

Camber Type Effects Summary:

Camber Type Wheel Tilt Direction Primary Effect on Handling Primary Effect on Tire Wear Common Use Cases
Negative Top inward Increased cornering grip, improved turn-in Increased inner tire wear Performance, Track Racing
Neutral/Zero Perfectly vertical Stable straight-line driving, predictable handling Even tire wear Daily Driving, Stock Setup
Positive Top outward Less common for performance Increased outer tire wear, less stable Heavy-duty, specific off-road

Understanding and properly adjusting camber on coilovers is key to unlocking a vehicle's full potential, whether for enhanced performance or optimized daily drivability.