Camber/Caster Angles

Need technical Q/A then you're in the right place

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BadDave
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Post Sat Jan 15, 2005 1:31 pm

Anyone know the standard settings for camber and castor.
How far can i deviate from std settings before having serious tyre wear problems.
I only ask coz i'm doing an adjustable coilover conversion and looking for some setup info
Thanks
BadDave
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Post Sun Jan 23, 2005 1:35 pm

Somebody must know
Help me out here guys
Sooty
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Post Sun Jan 23, 2005 2:45 pm

OK...here goes. (Information taken from the Bentley Bible. :notworthy: )

Front Wheels.

1984 - 1986 (all)
Camber - wheels straight ahead = Minus 40' +/- 30'
Caster - @ 10Ԛ° wheel lock = 8Ԛ° 30' +/- 30'. @ 20Ԛ° wheel lock = 8Ԛ° 46' +/- 30'.
Maximum permissible difference between sides = 30'

1987 - 1990 (all EXCEPT M Tech suspension)
As above.

1987 - 1990 (all WITH M Tech suspension)
Camber - wheels straight ahead = Minus 1Ԛ° 10' +/- 30'
Caster - @ 10Ԛ° wheel lock = 8Ԛ° 46' +/- 30'. @ 20Ԛ° wheel lock = 9Ԛ° 03' +/- 30'.
Maximum permissible difference between sides = 30'

Rear Wheels

1984 - 1986 (all)
Camber - each side = Minus 1Ԛ° 50' +/- 30'
Maximum permissible difference between sides = 0

1987 (318i)
Camber - each side = Minus 1Ԛ° 40' +/- 30'
Maximum permissible difference between sides = 30'

1987 (325i)
Camber - each side = Minus 2Ԛ° 15' +/- 30'
Maximum permissible difference between sides = 30'

1988 - 1990 (all EXCEPT Convertible & M Tech suspension)
Camber - each side = Minus 2Ԛ° 0' +/- 30'
Maximum permissible difference between sides = 30'

1988 - 1990 (325i Convertible)
Camber - each side = Minus 1Ԛ° 50' +/- 30'
Maximum permissible difference between sides = 30'

1988 - 1990 (all WITH M Tech suspension)
Camber - each side = Minus 2Ԛ° 30' +/- 30'
Maximum permissible difference between sides = 30'

HTH m8.

P.S. Forgot to add that these figures apply with the car on standard wheels & tyres at the correct pressures, with the ride height at the correct spec & with the car loaded as follows: 68kg (150 lbs) on each front seat, same weight in the middle of the rear seat, 21kg (46 lbs) in the boot & a full tank of fuel.
BadDave
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Post Sun Jan 23, 2005 3:24 pm

:woohoo: :cheers:
Much appreciated.
Sooty If we ever meet,I'll buy you a :beer: or three.

Thanks Mate
Sooty
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Post Sun Jan 23, 2005 3:36 pm

No probs buddy.
Glad I could help. :D
liam012
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Post Mon Feb 27, 2006 7:37 pm

So what happens to these settings when you drop ir 35mm front and back on 205/50/16s? Any way of calculating this?
billgatese30
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Post Mon Feb 27, 2006 9:35 pm

Liam, around here it costs around Ԛ£30-40 to get a laser alignment check done, they should also be able to tell you your camber anlges and toe settings (not sure about caster)
liam012
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Post Mon Feb 27, 2006 11:28 pm

I got laser 4 wheel alignment done last wednesday
i have had brutal problems with oversteer since, esp under acceleration out of bends (not high speed) - And when there are bumps in the road the car doesn't know which way it wants to go. its not pulling to either side in a straight line though.
thats why i asked so i can go in and tell them what it should be
kam-325i
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Post Mon Feb 27, 2006 11:39 pm

liam012 wrote:So what happens to these settings when you drop ir 35mm front and back on 205/50/16s? Any way of calculating this?
When mine was running with -50mm springs in the rear with 205/50/16 tyres i had some serious neg camber (nearly 2.5-3Degs). There was shit loads of grip in the corners, but it chewed the hell out of the inside of the tyres.
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