Camber Problem

[Lewis's Friend]

Quick question...

I have just had a 4 wheel alignment done on my Peugeot 306 gti and the rear camber is out (-1.43 left and -0.54 right).

This can't actually be adjusted, so my only option would be to swap the rear beam and hope the new one is better; which is by no means assured.

Are these settings dangerous, or likely to cause very bad tire wear? As ideally, on a car this cheap, I would just live with it.

Any help greatly appreciated.

[andyiley]

Although there may be no designed adjustment, with many cars there is enough slack in bolt holes to allow things to be slackened off & re-tightened to allow some small amount of movement.

Having said that I dont't think the difference you state is enough to notice.

Do you know what it should have been?

[Pet Troll]

there is no adjustment on the rear beam of a 306, the camber is likely to be due to failing bearings on the rear beam. Get it rebuilt, or do it yourself if you have the know how and it should be back to normal.

[PaulKemp]

Not dangerous and unless you are feeling any strange handling nothing to worry about.
As the rear is a beam axle and the hub carriers bolt to that you could have camber adjuster plates made to the pattern of the mounting face.
Washers could be used to set up then transfer the widths required to the machined plate.

[Lewis's Friend]

Thanks for the quick responses.

I've only just got the car on the road, having bought it as a mot failure. So not put many miles on it. I just got the alignment done as a matter of course with a new to me car.

It seems to handle ok, but I'm still getting a feel for it.

Re failed bearings, would this be hub bearings or bearings where the beam is attached? I will happily do the work myself if required.

[Lewis's Friend]

Just to add, according to the alignment place, the settings should be between -1.05 and -1.35

[andyiley]

One is less than 0.1 out & the other is just 0.5 out, don't worry about it.

[Mr2Mike]

Lewis's Friend said:

Re failed bearings, would this be hub bearings or bearings where the beam is attached? I will happily do the work myself if required.

These are the bearings within the beam that allow the trailing arms to pivot. When they wear the car starts to gain negative camber, and when completely shot you get comedy amounts and a very poor handling car.

Have a look at this guide to show where the bearings are and what they look like.

Edited by Mr2Mike on Sunday 19th January 20:05