I added wheel spacers and it obviously changed the camber on my rear tires (it is clearly visable). I bot the rear SPC camber arms so I can adjust it.

Question: To those of you that have added wheel spacers (only....no talking about lowering too) . . . did it change the camber significantly on the fronts ?

I'm debating whether or not I should purchase front adjustable A-Arms.

 

I got $20 that says you cannot alter camber with spacers. Any takers?

 

That's what I thought.


JCat, are you lowered?

 

I would suggest having it measured. You can't "go by eye" on something like that. I'm thinking you got one 'dem optical contusions going on.

 

Using spacers on an IRS setup can change the camber because it changes the load applied to the rear springs due to the increased torque applied around the suspension pivot point. This in turn can slightly alter the static ride height and thus increase negative camber. How much this will actually occur with the size of spacers normally used on the Z will be dependent on the springrate of the rear springs as well as the width of the wheels in question.

 

I am subscribing for pure interest.

I thought the same as redlube, you are moving the rim+tire weight outwards and making the "lever" longer, which would make it flex. So, of course, with very thin spacers you wouldn't notice it, with thicker ones you might. I would imagine it is only fractions of a degree. This is also why some people believe spacers are dangerous and can cause your studs to break and rims to come off. (in very exaggerated situations I would guess).

Oh, and JCat, the answer to your Q is easy, have the alignment checked. There is no camber adj in the front, but the OEM setting is not precise. If the change is small (say .01 of a degree) and you are still within specs, it doesn't matter. If instead whatever the amount is places you out of spec, well, you can either shell out for adjustable camber arms or spend money later on tires as they would probably get worn out on the inside edge a little faster than normal.

 

Hmm did you get it aligned? I went thru 4 different sets of spacers and i never had problems with camber. My guess is it probly just looks like u have more camber cuz the wheels stick out more where u can see the wheels better. So imo, spacers don't change camber

 

I have to agree with davidv, unless your spacers were machined lopsided (unlikely) or improperly installed, I can't see how your camber would be any different. Maybe a fraction of a percent change is plausible (I don't know), but seeing that with your naked eye is downright impossible.

Bottom line - take it to an alignment shop. Have them measure your camber specs with and without the spacers. If you can prove the spacers noticeably change your camber specs, then I'm sure davidv would gladly send you $20. I tell you what, we'll offer a special, if you do that and can prove it, I will personally send you another $20.




Void if caused by improperly installed spacers or if spacers were machined lopsided.

 

Ding ding ding! The above is correct.

Keep in mind that the angle of the change will be most likely very minimal (dependent on many variables), but the change nevertheless does exist and will happen - simple physics.

 

We're talking at least a percent change, something that would be feasibly visible to the naked eye without instrumentation. My offer still stands, if he takes it to an alignment shop and can show more than a fraction of a percent change, I'll paypal him over $20. How easy is that!

 

Here is a pic after installing 25mm spacers:
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I added 20 mm spacers in the back almost 2 years ago with no alignment after I put them on. I'm still on the same set of tires with no irregular tire wear. I have the SPC toe/camber kit and lowered on tanabe gf210s. It may seem (visually) that the camber has increased but that's because more of your rear tire is being pushed out by the spacers. There might be minimal increase in camber but nothing that will cause uneven wear. BTW having your toe out of spec causes a lot more wear than having your camber out of spec.

 

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I've often wondered just how much the camber changes with wheel spacers also. Add to that a much wider tire, and I've certainly noticed aggressive inside tire wear.

 

not mixing toe with camber are you?

 

Finally took it in for alignment. Camber was off by -1.7 to -2 degrees on every corner.

I do not have a "before spacer" measurement, so I cannot answer the question of whether or not the spacers created or caused the problem.

Ordered the SPC front A-arms today. Already have the rears, and the alignment shop was easily able to bring those (the rears) into spec.

 

Just take 'em off and go back, if it proves that it changed it by a noticeable amount to the human eye, I'll fund $20 of your alignment visits.

 

^The guys above are right about your car sitting lower with increased camber, no doubt. It would have been interesting to see the before/after forsure!

Research "ride rate" and it will all make sense what's happening by adding spacers and then some.

 

I'm thinking it might be because you "bot" your camber arms...

 

I take my in every 6 months to be aligned and normally there's little change. After I installed the spacers (15 F/20 R), the alignment guy said they were off buy a lot. I don't remember the numbers so it could be construed as subjective.

So, just adding to the pot of "yes, they do affect camber".