Can camber be off?

mtb_rider · 03-12-07, 11:19 PM

So I know that I need to get my alignment checked/done after doing the lift, in fact, plan to this weekend. My question is this. I had my truck backed into the parking spot at work today, and happened to be looking at straight on from the front when going past it, and it looked like my right front tire was tilted inward at the bottom, like the camber is off, and the drivers side tire maybe slightly, though not much if at all. Is camber adjustable on these axles, and/or can camber even be off? It is possible that it was just sitting on uneven pavement when I saw this.

Thanks!

kling-on · 03-12-07, 11:28 PM

yes it is but mostly by a bent axle if you backed it in it will make it look off some times too

mtb_rider · 03-12-07, 11:30 PM

Well I'm pretty sure I don't have a bent axle. No true camber adjustment, per se, though?

Mark W · 03-13-07, 12:29 AM

You completely lost me with your assumption about the birfields??? Really lost me!

The birfields allow you to steer and still provide power to the front tires. That's it.

The only "pivoting" going on is the steering action.

If your camber is off you either have a bent axle housing (rare) or a failed knuckle bearing which is allowing the outer knuckle to flop over a bit. This is not uncommon on rigs that have not had proper maintenance.

Jack this corner up off the ground and grab the tire to see if you can shift it up and down, in and out. If you can, look at the wheel or knuckle bearings.

Mark...

mtb_rider · 03-13-07, 12:31 AM

That's why it was an assumption, and an improper one. This is the first rig I have had with birfs and have limited experience with them. Thanks.

hks3sgte · 03-13-07, 10:08 AM

x2 on bearings

Mace · 03-13-07, 10:47 AM

Or just the wheel was torqued over.. I bet if you pulled forward and then backed STRAIGHT up the issue would resolve itself.

Are your knuckle seals leaking badly?? I have never seen a knuckle bearing go bad without killing the inner seal as well.

mtb_rider · 03-13-07, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mace

Or just the wheel was torqued over.. I bet if you pulled forward and then backed STRAIGHT up the issue would resolve itself.

Are your knuckle seals leaking badly?? I have never seen a knuckle bearing go bad without killing the inner seal as well.

I actually did that. We have some concrete barriers at the end of the row of parking spots (I was in the first spot next to the barriers), and didn't quite get lined the first time, and did have to pull back out and then straight in, so probably not a torque issue.

Haven't noticed any leaks at the knuckles. I'll poke around some more. I did jack the rig up today to check the bearings and all felt tight.

OlympiaFJ60 · 03-13-07, 11:26 PM

You must have edited out the part about the birf. Makes Marks comment look out of place.

If you drive forward 6 - 12 inches does it still look off? If not, bent wheel?

Have an alignment done, or like the FSM method of checking toe, you could jack up the front and measure the top and bottom of the tires centerline.

mtb_rider · 03-13-07, 11:34 PM

Yes apparently I misunderstood the function of a birfield joint. The wheels are new, and aluminum wheels dont generally bend, not to say that they can't. I am going to try and have the alignment done this weekend. I know it is off anyway, and haven't gotten it in yet since doing the lift. I don't have an FSM, and I'm not sure I am following on the checking toe method.