Alignment shop says they can't adjust camber

[jeff4891]

Ok so I took my truck to get an alignment last week. The previous owner cranked the torsion bar so the camber is off. I want to keep the height as is and just have them adjust the camber. From everything I've read on here, this isn't a big deal.

The shop adjusted the toe and they told me they couldn't adjust the camber or caster. I asked why and they said there are no manufacturer specifications for adjusting those (whatever that means). Another guy said adjusting the camber required disassembling the suspension. I'm not buying it, but I don't know enough about adjusting it myself to argue it.

Am I correct that they should be able to adjust the camber? If so can someone explain how or better yet point me to a diagram that shows what to adjust so I can take this to them?

As it stands here are my measurements (left, right):
Camber -1.2, -1.3
Caster 3.8, 1.1
Toe .06, .06

 

[colby450xc]

The camber numbers don't seem to bad. I was under the impression that most vehicles run with 0 to -1 degrees camber in them. I thought with adjusting the t-bars for a lift usually made for positive camber....Someone fill me in if Im wrong.

 

[LearjetMinako]

The camber is adjustable. Look on the lower control arm pivot bolt. Theres a oblong looking washer. That is the the camber adjuster. It usually requires the lower control arm to move inwards or outwards to adjust camber. The shop most likely didn't want to mess with it. Since it is not one of the easiest jobs to perform.

 

[adsm08]

The camber is adjustable. Look on the lower control arm pivot bolt. Theres a oblong looking washer. That is the the camber adjuster. It usually requires the lower control arm to move inwards or outwards to adjust camber. The shop most likely didn't want to mess with it. Since it is not one of the easiest jobs to perform.

Most of that is right.

The camber/caster adjustment is a set of eccentric cam washers on the UPPER control arm. It is a pain to do, and you usually end up compromising between the two because the way it's designed they move together. Adjust one, the other changes.

Where did you take it to get it aligned? A different shop may be willing to do it. You might also get away with walking back in to the same place, telling them how to do it, and demanding that they do it for you, for free this time, since they didn't get it right the first time.

I'll try to get you the actual instructions for doing it to use as ammo.

 

[adsm08]

Camber and Caster Adjustment—4x4
Remove the nuts and alignment plates.

Install the cams and the nuts.

NOTE: A pry bar can be used between the front suspension arm bushing joint and the frame pocket to aid in moving the arm.

To increase the LF caster and camber, use the following steps.
To increase caster, move the front of the front suspension arm bushing joint outboard and move the rear of the front suspension arm bushing joint inboard.
To increase camber, move the front suspension arm bushing joint outboard equally.

To decrease the LF caster and camber, use the following steps.
To decrease caster, move the front of the front suspension arm bushing joint inboard and move the rear of the front suspension arm bushing joint outboard.
To decrease camber, move the front suspension arm bushing joint inboard equally.

Tighten the nuts.

NOTE: A pry bar can be used between the front suspension arm bushing joint (3084) and the frame pocket to aid in moving the arm.

To increase RF caster and camber, use the following steps.
To increase caster, move the front of the front suspension arm bushing joint outboard and move the rear of the front suspension arm bushing joint inboard.
To increase camber, move the front suspension arm bushing joint outboard equally.

To decrease the RF caster and camber, use the following steps.
To decrease caster, move the front of the front suspension arm bushing joint inboard and move the rear of the front suspension arm bushing joint outboard.
To decrease camber, move the front suspension arm bushing joint inboard equally.

Increase the caster split.
Loosen the nuts.
Adjust the caster set bolts forward.

Decrease the caster split.
Loosen the nuts.
Adjust the caster set bolts rearward.

Tighten the nuts.

Copy and paste, sans diagrams.

 

[jeff4891]

Thanks a lot. That's exactly what I need.

I took it to a Tires Plus shop. The thing that pisses me off more is I paid for a lifetime alignment so if I wanted to adjust the torsion bars again, I could do so without paying for an alignment again. If they won't adjust the camber that's completely worthless to me.

I'll take the instructions in and basically I'm hoping for one of two outcomes:
1) Complete refund
2) Performing the work I paid them for

I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

[adsm08]

That's exactly what I'd do. I might even be asking for both.