Thread: Camber Question
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Old Aug 22, 2002 | 06:54 PM
  #4  
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PatrickGSR94
I'm not a n00b!
 
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Memphis TN
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Civics and Integras (before 01) use a double wishbone front suspension, with unequal length upper and lower control arms. As the suspension compresses and rebounds, the control arms move through a range of motion that makes an arc. Since the radii of these arcs is different (shorter at the top), the upper control arm rotates upward more than the lower control arm for any given amount of vertical suspension movement. This makes the wheel take on a negative camber angle as the suspension is compressed (or the car is lowered), or positive as the suspension expands (or the car is raised). This is extremely helpful at keeping the tire's full contact patch on the road through corners, etc, and why Hondas have always been praised for excellent handling straight from the factory.

Unfortunately Honda did not design any camber adjustments, so you have to go aftermarket if you want to adjust and dial it in exactly.

Negative camber is not always a bad thing. Some negative camber will greatly improve the car's handling. My car has what most would probably call excessive camber (about -2.1 to -2.3 deg. all around). However, the toe settings are set to exact specs, and I rotate my tires every 3K-5K miles. After 15K miles my tires are still perfectly even all the way across, no camber correction kits or anything.

I recommend this link to learn more about suspension systems. Click double-wishbone to find out about Honda suspensions. http://autozine.kyul.net/technical_s...htm#Suspension
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