now that's what I call an alignment!

[vshah]

Have been meaning to post this for a while:

06-08 civics have out of whack rear alignment from the factory. To fix that, I got some rear camber arms and installed them late last fall with the help of a friend. I'd also got a good deal on a new set of HFP shocks/springs, so I put those on at the same time (about a 1" drop).

The combination of the two led to the "before" measurements you see above!

 

[Apex]

Interesting the rear camber is so much greater than the front, especially on a FWD car. Is that to further increase understeer, was that the limits to the adjustability, or are you planning on increasing the front camber when you get the front alignment done?

As a side note, if you do get the front done, consider putting just a tad bit of toe-out too.

 

[T2urtle]

yea i'm wondering about that as well.

I would be happy with that, i would ask reason why they did the rear toe like so.

 

[overst33r]

I find it very odd that a FWD car has toe out in the rear.

All civics have lots of negative rear camber, even stock.

 

[vshah]

Front alignment is only adjustable for toe on my car. Camber requires either cam bolts which ppl have had issues with breaking, or new suspension upper mounting plates which are pretty expensive


Also, where do you guys go that will set your car to something other than factory specs?

 

[halik]

Interesting the rear camber is so much greater than the front, especially on a FWD car. Is that to further increase understeer, was that the limits to the adjustability, or are you planning on increasing the front camber when you get the front alignment done?

As a side note, if you do get the front done, consider putting just a tad bit of toe-out too.

This, I thought econoboxes come with a ton of toe out to begin with to make the steering more stable?

 

[CraigRT]

This, I thought econoboxes come with a ton of toe out to begin with to make the steering more stable?

If anything there should be slight toe in to compensate for drag, as it pulls the wheels outwards while rolling down the road.

 

[halik]

If anything there should be slight toe in to compensate for drag, as it pulls the wheels outwards while rolling down the road.

Front toe out i mean

 

[alfa147x]

How hard was it to install the rear camber arms? I'm now considering this

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Why not have just the neutral? No toe in, or toe out. Especially econoboxes.
My reasoning for toe in or toe out is that it increases tire wear?

 

[Viperoni]

Why not have just the neutral? No toe in, or toe out. Especially econoboxes.
My reasoning for toe in or toe out is that it increases tire wear?

Front toe out helps increase the cars wantingness to turn.
Also can make it darty/pull on bad surfaces or under braking.

Rear toe out can get scary, I usually run just a pube toe in.

IMO just a bit inside of 0 toe all around is good for the street.

 

[vshah]

How hard was it to install the rear camber arms? I'm now considering this

the hardest part was pressing in the mounting arm and bushing through the hole. its best if you have a table clamp or something that you can use for that.

other than that, install is very easy:
jack up car
remove rear wheels
remove 1 bolt connecting stock arm to hub
remove 2 bolts connect stock arm to chassis
install new arm, torque to spec
put wheels back
drop car
get an alignment
done!

here's a good guide: http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/suspension/199067-diy-skunk2-gen-ii-rear-camber-kit-install.html

wait for a group buy, i got mine for $250. It's done wonders for my tire wear.

 

[Howard]

the hardest part was pressing in the mounting arm and bushing through the hole. its best if you have a table clamp or something that you can use for that.

A bench vise, you mean?

 

[vshah]

i used a table clamp on either side, but I imagine a bench vise would make it even easier.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Front toe out helps increase the cars wantingness to turn.
Also can make it darty/pull on bad surfaces or under braking.

Rear toe out can get scary, I usually run just a pube toe in.

IMO just a bit inside of 0 toe all around is good for the street.

Excellent, thanks for the info.

Sorry for a minor derail.

 

[Apex]

Front toe out helps increase the cars wantingness to turn.
Also can make it darty/pull on bad surfaces or under braking.

Rear toe out can get scary, I usually run just a pube toe in.

IMO just a bit inside of 0 toe all around is good for the street.

A slight toe out in the front really helps with responsiveness, especially with FWD cars (because of the increased weight up front, as well as asking the front grip already being taxed with the propulsion). 1/16" to a max of 1/8" toe out per side in the front should be enough for most people. You're right though, too much can make the car feel darty.

The rear should have just slight toe-in for safety. Again, 1/16" per side should be enough.

I generally don't like 0 toe, especially all around, because it makes the car drive a bit like a brick. It does make your tires last slightly longer though.

 

[Throckmorton]

Why would more toe out help a car turn? The steering geometry already gives the inside wheel more steering angle.

 

[Viperoni]

Why would more toe out help a car turn? The steering geometry already gives the inside wheel more steering angle.

Toe out usually helps increase ackerman angle, which will help the car turn in better.