Region: South Bend
Car #: 76
Year : 1999 Posts: 121
Status: Offline
posted
Got nailed in the right-rear wheel during my last race by a driver who outbraked himself. Replaced the lower contral arm to knuckle bolt(the long one)because the toe was screwed up. We were able to get the toe to zero, but the camber is at -5.0 and I can't get any less. What else could be bent? Cam bolts, upper control arm, lower control arm? All the above?
Region: NER
Car #: 38
Year : 90 Posts: 105
Status: Offline
posted
Replace the right rear vertical upright with Hub and Bearing. You can check it against another but it is really hard to compare. It is possible that the bearing / hub took a big hit.
Region: chicago
Car #: 72 and ?
Year : 90 and 90 Posts: 1051
Status: Offline
posted
Ther is a tool available that will check the subframe. Costs $20 and will save you a lot of time.
You do not mention if you checked for a bent wheel. Does camber change when you rotate the wheel 1/2 turn?
Everything listed above could also be bent. Upper control arm bend will cause massive camber. Bent upright can effect camber and toe. And a lower control arm bent causing big toe out, when toe is zeroed you get massive camber.
Easiest way is to replace everything. Unless you have a way to measure each piece seperately.
Dave
-------------------- Advanced Autosports, The Midwests leader in Spec Miata Service, Parts and Rentals 608-313-1230 Authorised Spec Miata service center www.advanced-autosports.com
Region: Oregon
Car #: 68
Year : 91 Posts: 2359
Status: Offline
posted
I've never seen a bent rear LCA (has anyone?). Everything else will bend first, i.e subframe, which can be meassured front to rear with Dave's tool or one you make yourself (needs to clear diff and everything else). then UCA and finally upright. That's the order I'd check.
-bw
-------------------- Bruce Wilson 2010 Oregon Region Champ 2010 Monte Shelton Driver of the Year 2010 25 Hours of Thunderhill E3 and Under 2 liter Overall Champion Oregon Region SM Class Advisor
Region: South East
Car #: #92
Year : 91 Posts: 189
Status: Offline
posted
Just FYI you may want to check your Diff closely these things don't take a rear hit well and will some times break or crack one of or both of the arms on the housing. You can also use the left side as a guide and use a tape measure and check points such as from the back of the rim to the upper ball joint to see if the spindle is bent or from ball joint to subframe to see if arms are bent, just compare them to the left side.
Region: chicago
Car #: 72 and ?
Year : 90 and 90 Posts: 1051
Status: Offline
posted
I have found dozens of bent lower arms. Mostly on newer cars.
The additional strength of the rear subframe braces keep the subframe from bending. So the lower arm bends instead.
dave
-------------------- Advanced Autosports, The Midwests leader in Spec Miata Service, Parts and Rentals 608-313-1230 Authorised Spec Miata service center www.advanced-autosports.com
Region: NER
Car #: 7
Year : 1999 Posts: 636
Status: Offline
posted
I've got a bent rear knuckle on my car right now. The top portion that bolts to the upper control arm is twisted. As mentioned above, take a look at this piece too; you can probably see it if it's bent. Along with the bent UCA, I'm rocking -15* of right rear camber! That's not good for tire wear right?
-------------------- -Cy Supported by LTD Racing & Speed Shack - New England's Premier Auto Accessory Store Rt1 AutoMile - Norwood, MA http://www.speedshackonline.com
Region: South Bend
Car #: 76
Year : 1999 Posts: 121
Status: Offline
posted
Here's an update. Replaced upper control arm...got to -4.1 degrees. Then replaced knuckle and got to -3.7 degrees. Ordered a lower control arm to try to get down another 1-1.5 degrees. Probably order Dave's rear subframe measuring tool too.
Region: WDC
Car #: 3
Year : 1991 Posts: 1049
Status: Offline
posted
The lower control arms are flat. So if they get bent, they get shorter, causing less negative camber
-------------------- "Bad"Al Bell SM/SSM #3 "JD" SM #09 "Nadine" 2006 MARRS SM Champion DC Region SM Driver's Co-Rep SM cars for sale and rent, and rent-to-own www.MEATHEADRacing.com
Region: houston
Car #: 44
Year : 1990 Posts: 19
Status: Offline
posted
Bringing this one back to life , to try and fix my new ( to me ) car
I max out at 1.8 camber on the RR :
- Visual inspection does not reveal bent suspension or subframe - Replaced Cam Bolts with old spares - Removed LCA Bolt with punch and minor force - LCA Bolt appears to not be bent - Wheel is straight
I don't have Dave's subframe checker tool , how do you verify subframe without the tool ?
Is the next step to just start ordering parts ? - Upright - LCA - LCA Bolt - ???
Region: texas
Car #: 71,72
Year : 1990,1999 Posts: 166
Status: Offline
posted
contact John Phillips from phillips race prep.713-824-0884 take him the car he will save you all the headache and the car will leave with a good set-up for very fair prices.he has used parts availible to him and is a miata specialist.
Qik Nip
Loose Member '09 & '10 Great Lakes Regional Points Champion
Region: Cincinnati Great Lakes
Car #: 60
Year : 1990 Posts: 1487
Status: Offline
posted
Trey: If you have one handy, it might be worth swapping out the entire knuckle. Trust me, they are eminently bendable! Rick
-------------------- Fortune Cookie Racing SM 60 Directions for use: Race, Rumple, Repair ... Repeat!
Region: chicago
Car #: 72 and ?
Year : 90 and 90 Posts: 1051
Status: Offline
posted
First, get the tool. It will save a ton of effort. Then think!!!
Since you have too little neg camber either the upper control arm is pulled out (highly unlikely) or the lower is pushed in. (very likely)
First, check the subframe, it is more than likely pushed in at the lower pickups.
next, reinstall the long bolt, leave the nut off, and install the tire. Spin the long bolt with a wrench and see if the tire moves in and out. This is the easiest way to verify a bent bolt.
Generally, when the upright bends it will give you too much negative camber. So the upright is 90% not the problem. I have a jig in the shop to check these.
The upper control arm would need to have streetched to cause too litlle neg camber, You can rule out the upper arm
Lower arms will usually bent at the inboard bushings. I have a jig that I made for checking control arms. But if you insert a rod through the bushing holes it will give you a pretty good visusl check if something is bent.
Since you are local to Phillips Race Prep, take the car to him if you do not feel comfortable doing it yourself. Getting it right the first time may be cheaper than doing it wrong 3 times
Dave
-------------------- Advanced Autosports, The Midwests leader in Spec Miata Service, Parts and Rentals 608-313-1230 Authorised Spec Miata service center www.advanced-autosports.com
Region: houston
Car #: 44
Year : 1990 Posts: 19
Status: Offline
posted
Are 1.6 RR parts the same as a 95 ?
I've got a 91 ( across Houston ) that I could pull the RR suspension from if needed ... Assuming the 91 parts are straight ( car has never been raced ) , that should rule confirm if the problem is ( knuckle / LCA / LCA Bolt / UCA ) or Subframe
Thanks for the detailed feedback , you guys are the best !
I'll work the plan , if I can fix it , I'll take it over to John
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