Alignment problems with Speed Tech control arms

[LSXZ28]

I recently installed Speed Tech upper and lower control arms on my 1980 Z28, along with Summit Racing 1-1/2" lowering springs. I took it to two different alignment places and they are saying they can't align it because even with the shaft offset correctly and no shims, the camber is still off (top of the wheels still tilted in).

I tried calling Speed Tech, but the guy I need to talk to is out all week...

Anyone else have this problem? I hope there is a good answer after dropping so much of my hard-earned money on these parts...

[Vegas69]

How much negative camber does it have with no shims?

[killer69]

These arms have been installed on hundreds of cars, with no issues, except and i'm not pointing fingers or making excuses but the alignment shop has no idea what they are doing or the frame is bent. they always fit in the end.
i received your email but it ended up in the junk box, voice mail sent.
thank you for choosing our product.
call me any time

[John Wright]

<deleted>

[LSXZ28]

These arms have been installed on hundreds of cars, with no issues, except and i'm not pointing fingers or making excuses but the alignment shop has no idea what they are doing or the frame is bent. they always fit in the end.
i received your email but it ended up in the junk box, voice mail sent.
thank you for choosing our product.
call me any time

I called and they said I need to talk to Roger (and he is out all week). I'll give you a ring in a bit Blake! I agree that it is probably the alignment shop, but after two, I was starting to wonder...

[LSXZ28]

Thanks again Blake for the help! You guys have outstanding customer service! I will set the toe like we talked about and send you some pics... I'll get it to the other alignment shop next week as well and see what they can do...

[69LT1Nova]

Good ol' Speed Tech. I love my control arms.

[LSXZ28]

Snapped a couple of quick pics to show the camber and stance. It seems like the driver's side is straight, but the passenger side is still negative camber. Sorry about the shadows, this was spur of the moment.

I think I want the back down another 1/2" or so...

[John Wright]

Is it me or do you have a ton of caster in on the pass side, wheel looks like it is about to rub the rear of the fender liner just sitting there without turning the steering wheel....maybe it's just the lighting in the pic..I dunno. If you go too far with the positive caster the camber gets way out of whack, too far to adjust...unless the arms have a fair amount of caster built in to them.

[JRouche]

Im missing something. No shims installed. Cant it be shimmed out to give a proper camber? JR

[Vegas69]

You can run .5-1 degree of negative camber on the street with no problem at all. I agree that the passenger side caster looks waaaaaaaaaay off.

[novaderrik]

Im missing something. No shims installed. Cant it be shimmed out to give a proper camber? JR

shims move the arm in- it would only make it worse.

[LSXZ28]

All shims are removed in the pics... and yes, shimming makes the camber more negative. Also, the toe is way out in the pics - with the drivers side wheel straight, the passenger side is visibly turning right (making it closer to the rear inner fender). I need to tape measure set the toe to get it somewhat close first... I'm hoping that brings the passenger side caster a little better. The arms have 5 degrees of caster built in.

Wondering if worn out and crushed body mount bushings could be adding to my issues... those are the only things left that I have not replaced. It doesn't appear that the car has been wrecked, but who knows...

[John Wright]

Im missing something. No shims installed. Cant it be shimmed out to give a proper camber? JR

The shaft mounts inside the frame rails so more shims makes the camber head off in the wrong direction than he's trying to go. Other cars where the shaft is mounted outside of the frame rails the shims would do as you suggest and move the camber in his direction. But this is a camaro.

[John Wright]

Also get underneath and take a 5/8" dia dowel or bolt and see if the body alignment holes are aligned so the dowel enters all of them with about the same. That can help you make sure the body is sitting on the subframe fairly square. Body bushings have to be loosened upand body adjusted and squared up if those dowels won't enter the holes cleanly.

[JRouche]

The shaft mounts inside the frame rails so more shims makes the camber head off in the wrong direction than he's trying to go. Other cars where the shaft is mounted outside of the frame rails the shims would do as you suggest and move the camber in his direction. But this is a camaro.

LOL I knew I was missing something. Thanks. My shafts are on vertical plates, shimming moves the top of the spindle out. As you can see, I dont know jack about camaros JR

[Tony_SS]

Are you sure its not the lowering springs causing the trouble?

[2ndgenhunter]

Nice car! I am very interested in how it turns out. I am fixing to order a set for my 81 z28.

[Vegas69]

Yep...your toe needs to be close to start. Otherwise, the average wrench will straigten the wheel and go to town. A tape measure is close enough.

[LSXZ28]

Are you sure its not the lowering springs causing the trouble?

They aren't helping, that's for sure. Do the coil springs need some time to settle in?

Hopefully I will get a chance to work on it this weekend and see how it is with the toe straightened out a bit.

The biggest problem with working on a 30 year old car is that the more you pull the string, the more you have to do LOL! I'm thinking I should replace the body mount bushings next.

I'm trying to get all of the variables (spring settling, rear ride height) worked out before I take it in for the alignment...