Camber adj. offset knuckle/kingpin cap bearings

[Chiarored]

I have an 82 FJ 60 with all new suspension, steering etc. The caster is -.2. I am putting in 2 degree caser shims to take care of caster and make it a bit better tracking on the highway. I have about 3" of lift between springs and OME anti-inversion shackles which are about 1 cm longer than stock so I expected to have to do this as it already was nearly 0 before the lift.

The camber isn't adjustable... the alignment guy says because both sides are exactly the same he doubts the axle housing could be bent but doesn't know how else it could be out so far. NAPA has offset kingpin cap bearings (Knuckle bearings) available. I already had a knuckle bearing and wheel bearing kit from MAF and had planned on rebuilding the knuckle... but now I am wondering if I should try to get a new (used) axle first, or whether the offset bearings are a good option. They are about $85.00 apiece.

How much would a good used axle be? What kind of light can anyone shed on this?

Thanks in advance.
PS you can visually see the tires splayed out at the bottom so there is no error in the reading... also I had similar readings twice.

Dan

 

[Pin_Head]

You are worrying about something insignificant. 1.5 degees of camber vs 1.0 is bupkus.

 

[Chiarored]

Pinhead... its not off by .5 its off by 2.5 degrees. It is currently -1.5 it should be +1.0. That is a lot and it will funnel the tires. The tolerance is .8 so if it really was only off by .5 it would b3e in tolerance.

I think I forgot to put the actual camber reading in my post. Thanks for noticing. Let me know if you have any thoughts.

Dan

 

[beanz2]

Never seen it a 60 axle getting bent myself, but if the factory went on to put gussets on the bottom of the axle tubes in 1988, you wonder if they have seen some axles getting bent. If the cruiser had been jumped, for instance, the bend would give you a negative camber. I'd say get a new axle housing.

Buy a whole axle and sell the knuckles to a drum brake 40 series owner

Dave
PS: does it corner real well now?

 

[Chiarored]

Dave:
It doesn't do bad... the steering is pretty light and quick from the lower caster angle and not so stable as it might be... but surprisingly not too bad. With the caster angle off it doesn't snap back to center after turning a corner either. It sort of tentatively meanders a bit towards the center... in other words I pretty much have to straighten it out myself after the turn.

Dan

 

[Pin_Head]

Oh yea, there is a little - sign before the 1.5.

You axle housing is most likely bent. Get a new one or have your local frame guy straighten it.

 

[dd113]

Sounds like your axle is slightly bent. I have super secret jobber pricing with NAPA. Happy to pass along my price for a PITA like this. Hit me a PM with a part number. It might be a bit cheaper and a lot easier than replacing the axle housing.

 

[Pin_Head]

I don't think that offset bearing caps are going to help a bent axle housing even if they have them.