camber issue

[challengerjeff]

I recently upgraded most of the front suspension components due to troubles maintaining my alignment.  I followed the FSM and installed the new torsion bars, lower and upper ball joints, tie rod ends, adjustable strut rods, a front sway bar, and poly bushings all around (already had UCA moog offset bushings).  After doing a quick alignment (setting ride height, max caster on eccentric bolts, backing off front one to get camber negative, then setting toe-in) and driving it around the block I didn't hear any noises and the handling felt improved so I was happy.

However, after getting back in the driveway I noticed my camber had changed from negative to positive.  It was late so I parked it and came back the next day and when I backed it out of the garage the camber was back to negative like I wanted.  I checked the bolts and nuts and everything seems fine.  I did some testing and it appears when I brake hard while going forward it changes the camber to positive.  Do I have an issue with the adjustable strut rods?  When I installed them I set them to the length of my factory strut rods and the lower control arm was positioned fine.  I can get pictures if needed and provide exact parts for anything I changed.

[Chryco Psycho]

something has to be moving ... either sliding on a bushing or K frame or upper control arm mount , something

[ed-pv]

Did you replace your lower control arm or lower control arm bushing (where the torsion bar goes into the LCA)?  I have seen this happen when the lower control arm bushing is worn out.

[challengerjeff]

Did you replace your lower control arm or lower control arm bushing (where the torsion bar goes into the LCA)?  I have seen this happen when the lower control arm bushing is worn out.

I replaced it with a new poly one and firm feel greasable pin.  The original one had deteriorated to almost nothing, exactly why I decided to rebuild everything!

[Bullitt-]

How's the upper ball joint condition  & it's mounting threads? There have been a couple of failures of the threads in the UCA's on members cars lately.   

[HP2]

Adjustable strut rods don't mount exactly like original.Ssome use special bushings, some mount in a pivot link. You shouldn't re-use any of the stock bushings and sleeves in this position at all. I'd look at the front of the strut rod to ensure it is mounted correctly as well as verify the lower control arm mounting is all correct. Lower arm bushings and strut rod bushings seem to be the biggest trouble points on suspension rebuilds, especially with poly.

Like Bullitt said, it also might be worth verifying you upper ball joints are not moving as well.

[challengerjeff]

I looked at the UCA ball joint threads before installing them and nothing seemed bad.  The new ball joints went in easily and I was able to torque them to 125 ft lbs without any issue.  I'll check for any play in them later this evening.

The strut rods are firmfeel's so they mount similar to stock.  I used the stock washer and the new poly bushings they supplied which is what they told me on the phone.  I saw some debate over which direction the bushing faces so maybe I installed them backwards?  I will call firmfeel and see what they say.

As far as I can tell everything looks correct but my experience is very limited, I was born in the 80s so all e bodies are older than I am!  I'm a little over my head but part of the reason for getting an older car was so I could learn to do this stuff.  Are there specific pictures I can get to help you guys out?

Also, if anyone is going to be at street rod nationals in Louisville, KY and would like to come take a look let me know.  I can arrange for some free beer! 

[BergmanAutoCraft]

The toe is probably way off. If too much toe out, when you back up it may roll the tires over giving you the illusion of positive camber.

[challengerjeff]

After talking to another forum member and firmfeel it might be the strut rods are a little too long and need to be shortened.  The strut rod bushings are setup correctly but after getting under the car I noticed a slight gap had formed where the LCA bushing fits on the pivot pin.  I'll adjust the strut rods to pull the arm forward and redo my alignment.

Upper ball joints look good and there was no play in any of them.