One wheel camber on EP3

One wheel camber on EP3

Author
Discussion

Ep2dan

Original Poster:

16 posts

79 months

Friday 27th October 2017
quotequote all
Hey guys,

I've just treated myself to a nice (looking) EP3 Premier Edition a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately, I think it's a bit of a fixer-upper, having being in for a slipped timing chain after owning it three days (massive thanks to Big Gan Recovery and Honda HQ in Stafford and Cannock, respectively, for fixing her up, fantastic job done). So the engine is now better.
However, I think I've spotted another slight problem that I didn't see when I looked at it, this being the rear nearside wheel appears to be cambered. Upon inspecting the tyre, it's been worn on the inside (the edge proximal to the centre line of the car), so there's definitely something not right there. Looking at the spring, there's a bit of visible corrosion on it, but not a major amount. There's no evidence of the car being in a crash - no dented panels, HPI clear, but it may have been a 'what the insurance won't know won't hurt them' situation by previous owners. I've got an EP2 that I crashed into a curb in the snow, and it does exactly the same, but I know why that is, and I don't want to remind myself of my juvenile 'drifting' tendencies.
I'll take it down to HHQ at some point and get it looked at, but just in the meantime I'm curious as to what it could be. Possibly the bushes or the spring? The ARB looks all good. Hoping it's not going to be anything major. The wheel bearing is making a bit of a noise too. What do we think?

Thanks guys,
Dan

OK-Computer

4 posts

78 months

Saturday 28th October 2017
quotequote all
Hi Dan,

I am a novice by any means. But it could be a number of factors; as you said. Usually aggressive steering through corners can cause the tyre edge to wear at a faster rate relative to the rest of the tyre, how 'bad' is the camber? I say bad because it's unwanted at this juncture. It may even be that somehow the caster is affecting the camber, being the rear spring I understand that would be difficult to determine. But as you said, it could be the bushings - maybe even the drop-links. I don't reckon it has collided with a curb at low speeds, I'm sure there would be more evidence if that were the case. In my novice opinion, sounds like a bit of 'abusive' driving and a lack of maintenance, doubt it'll be anything major.

Let us know how things turn out.

krismccloy

256 posts

149 months

Monday 30th October 2017
quotequote all
Hello Dan,

The rear of the EP3 has multi link suspension so camber will increase under compression, Is the car on even ground when noticing this? The camber settings from factory are 0.0 degrees front and -1.0 degrees rear, so they have negative rear camber from factory. First thing I would do is take it for a four wheel alignment and take it from there, or simply get it checked as that should indicate a problem straight away. Camber arm bushes could get be tired etc etc...

Ep2dan

Original Poster:

16 posts

79 months

Wednesday 1st November 2017
quotequote all
Hey both,
Thank you for the replies. I think the car has definitely had a thrashing in the past - I see it as an 'abused puppy that's gone to a good home'. I'll take to to see about the alignment and see what they say, could be a simple fix by the sound of it!
It was on even ground when I checked, but it was late at night, so who knows!
Thanks again guys,
Dan

Paul578

69 posts

107 months

Tuesday 5th December 2017
quotequote all
Hi Dan,
Bumped to ask whether you found the root cause?
I noticed the same thing on my '05 EP2 SE, and subsequently saw it on EP1's and the EU(8-?) 5-door, it made me think the jig at Swindon was out.
As standard there is no adjustment on rear camber, your owners handbook will tell you that placement camber bolts are required.
Cheers, Paul.

Ep2dan

Original Poster:

16 posts

79 months

Wednesday 6th December 2017
quotequote all
Paul578 said:
Hi Dan,
Bumped to ask whether you found the root cause?
I noticed the same thing on my '05 EP2 SE, and subsequently saw it on EP1's and the EU(8-?) 5-door, it made me think the jig at Swindon was out.
As standard there is no adjustment on rear camber, your owners handbook will tell you that placement camber bolts are required.
Cheers, Paul.
Hey Paul,

Thank you for the bump! I haven't yet had the chance to get it looked at - dissertation work has taken over, haha. I know that on my EP2 it's definitely because of me curbing it in the snow though!
Only other issue I've had come to fruition is there is a nasty oil leak coming from it after use, potentially anything big?

Thanks,
Dan

Composite Guru

2,207 posts

203 months

Wednesday 6th December 2017
quotequote all
Just something I know from having owned 2 of these from new.

Honda issued a service bulletin about camber issues on a lot of the car from that factory. Turns out the bolt hole for the camber arm in the chassis can vary in position.

Honda's fix on the issue was slotting the holes on the arms so the camber could be corrected. It was properly gash but because so many cars were effected that was the most efficient way of dealing with the issue.

I decided I didn't want me car bodged so I bought some Eibach camber arms and that sorted the issue.

Just a different angle on this.


Ep2dan

Original Poster:

16 posts

79 months

Tuesday 12th December 2017
quotequote all
Composite Guru said:
Just a different angle on this.
I hope that was an intentional pun, made me chuckle!

Thank you for the information, I'll probably be looking at an FRSU in the future anyway, so I'll pick some nice camber arms.

Composite Guru

2,207 posts

203 months

Tuesday 12th December 2017
quotequote all
Ep2dan said:
Composite Guru said:
Just a different angle on this.
I hope that was an intentional pun, made me chuckle!

Thank you for the information, I'll probably be looking at an FRSU in the future anyway, so I'll pick some nice camber arms.
Ha ha. Yes, I forgot the smiley face. biggrin

krismccloy

256 posts

149 months

Monday 18th December 2017
quotequote all
Composite Guru said:
Just something I know from having owned 2 of these from new.

Honda issued a service bulletin about camber issues on a lot of the car from that factory. Turns out the bolt hole for the camber arm in the chassis can vary in position.

Honda's fix on the issue was slotting the holes on the arms so the camber could be corrected. It was properly gash but because so many cars were effected that was the most efficient way of dealing with the issue.

I decided I didn't want me car bodged so I bought some Eibach camber arms and that sorted the issue.

Just a different angle on this.
Interesting info.,Do you have any more information on the service bulletin?

Composite Guru

2,207 posts

203 months

Monday 18th December 2017
quotequote all
krismccloy said:
Composite Guru said:
Just something I know from having owned 2 of these from new.

Honda issued a service bulletin about camber issues on a lot of the car from that factory. Turns out the bolt hole for the camber arm in the chassis can vary in position.

Honda's fix on the issue was slotting the holes on the arms so the camber could be corrected. It was properly gash but because so many cars were effected that was the most efficient way of dealing with the issue.

I decided I didn't want me car bodged so I bought some Eibach camber arms and that sorted the issue.

Just a different angle on this.
Interesting info.,Do you have any more information on the service bulletin?
Unfortunately no but Honda knew about it.

work was carried out under warranty though.

Camber arms were the only good way of dealing with it.