Camber Bolts

Camber bolts provide an adjustable mounting point that allows wheel camber to be changed during a wheel alignment. Also known as eccentric or camber adjusting bolts, they can provide additional adjustment where the original suspension does not offer enough correction for the required alignment.

They are commonly considered when ride-height changes have moved camber outside the desired specification, but they can also be useful where additional alignment adjustment is required for a particular suspension setup. Correct bolt size, mounting position and vehicle fitment are essential, and the final camber setting should always be established through a professional wheel alignment.

What Is Camber?

Camber is the inward or outward tilt of a wheel when viewed from the front of the vehicle. It is one of the key wheel alignment angles and influences tyre contact, tyre wear and how the vehicle responds during cornering.

Camber is measured in degrees relative to vertical.

The correct setting depends on the vehicle, suspension design, ride height and intended use. More camber is not automatically better. The aim is to achieve the appropriate alignment specification for the particular setup.

Negative vs Positive Camber

Negative camber means the top of the wheel tilts towards the vehicle.

Positive camber means the top of the wheel tilts away from the vehicle.

Performance setups may use additional negative camber to manage tyre contact during cornering, while road vehicles generally require a balance between handling, straight-line tyre contact and even tyre wear.

Camber that falls outside the appropriate specification can contribute to uneven tyre wear and altered handling characteristics.

What Do Camber Bolts Do?

A camber bolt provides an eccentric adjustment point between suspension components. Rotating the bolt changes their relative position, allowing the top of the wheel to move inward or outward and changing camber.

This makes an eccentric camber bolt different from an ordinary straight mounting bolt.

Depending on the suspension design, camber bolts may be installed at a strut-to-knuckle connection or another suitable mounting point designed for this type of adjustment.

How an Eccentric Bolt Changes Camber

The cam or offset section of an eccentric camber bolt means its effective position changes as the bolt is rotated.

During an alignment, the technician rotates the bolt to move the connected suspension component through a controlled adjustment range. This changes wheel angle until the desired camber setting is reached.

Once the alignment is set, the fastener is tightened to the specified torque to secure the adjustment.

The amount of correction available depends on the bolt, suspension geometry and application.

When Do You Need Camber Bolts?

Camber bolts can be useful when the existing suspension adjustment cannot achieve the required camber setting. This can occur after ride-height changes or where additional adjustment is needed to achieve the intended alignment.

They should not automatically be fitted simply because a tyre is wearing unevenly.

An alignment measurement should establish whether camber is actually outside specification and whether an adjustable bolt is an appropriate method of correcting it.

Camber After Lowering or Lifting

Changing vehicle ride height can change suspension geometry.

Lowering may increase negative camber on some suspension designs, while lifting can produce a different change depending on the layout. The effect is vehicle-specific, so there is no single camber response that applies to every suspension system.

If the resulting camber cannot be corrected using the original adjustment points, a suitable camber bolt kit can provide additional adjustment.

The vehicle should then be aligned at its normal operating ride height.

Rule Out Worn Parts First

Incorrect camber can also result from mechanical problems rather than a lack of adjustment.

Before using camber bolts to compensate for an alignment problem, check for:

• Worn control arm bushes
• Worn ball joints
• Damaged control arms
• Bent struts or suspension components
• Worn wheel bearings
• Damaged mounting points
• Incorrect ride height
• Previous impact damage

An adjustable bolt should be used to set alignment, not hide a damaged or worn suspension component.

How Much Adjustment Do Camber Bolts Give?

The amount of camber adjustment available depends on the camber bolt, suspension design, mounting location and vehicle geometry.

Whiteline specifies adjustment ranges for individual applications, with some standard camber bolt designs providing up to approximately ?1.5 degrees of adjustment where applicable. Other specialised applications can use different adjustment ranges.

That figure should not be treated as a guaranteed change for every vehicle.

Always check the specification for the individual camber bolt and have the actual wheel angle measured on alignment equipment. The useful adjustment is the amount required to achieve the appropriate alignment setting, rather than simply the maximum adjustment available.

Are Camber Bolts Universal?

Some camber bolts are universal, while others are designed for specific vehicle applications. A universal description does not mean one bolt fits every vehicle.

Bolt diameter, mounting arrangement, available clearance and suspension design all need to be compatible.

Choosing Universal Camber Bolts by Size

Universal camber bolts are commonly identified by bolt diameter. Depending on the application, sizes can include measurements such as:

• 12mm
• 14mm
• 15mm
• 16mm
• 17mm

The correct size needs to correspond with the suspension mounting point where the bolt will be installed.

Do not substitute a different diameter simply to obtain more adjustment. The fastener is part of a structural suspension connection and must fit the intended mounting point correctly.

Vehicle-Specific Camber Bolt Kits

A vehicle-specific camber bolt kit is selected according to the suspension design and intended mounting position rather than bolt diameter alone.

This can make application identification more straightforward, but vehicle details still need to be checked carefully.

Front and rear suspension can use different designs, and even vehicles that appear closely related may require different bolts or installation positions.

Use vehicle fitment information first, with bolt dimensions as an additional confirmation where relevant.

Can Camber Bolts Fix Uneven Tyre Wear?

They can help when incorrect camber is contributing to the tyre wear and additional adjustment is required to bring the alignment to the appropriate setting.

However, uneven tyre wear does not automatically mean the vehicle needs camber bolts.

Other causes can include:

• Incorrect toe
• Incorrect tyre pressure
• Worn suspension components
• Wheel bearing play
• Damaged suspension parts
• Tyre or wheel problems
• Alignment settings inappropriate for the vehicle's use

The wear pattern and complete wheel alignment should be assessed before deciding what needs correction.

In particular, toe can have a significant effect on tyre wear. Correcting camber while leaving an incorrect toe setting will not address the complete alignment problem.

Do Camber Bolts Slip?

A correctly selected and installed camber adjusting bolt is designed to hold its alignment setting once tightened to the required specification.

Some designs use features such as toothed or locking washers to help maintain the selected position. However, this does not remove the need for correct installation and torque.

The mounting surfaces and hardware should be inspected during installation, and fasteners should never be under-tightened simply to preserve adjustment.

If alignment changes unexpectedly after installation, have the suspension, camber bolt and surrounding components inspected rather than repeatedly adjusting the bolt without identifying the cause.

How Are Camber Bolts Fitted?

Camber bolt installation generally involves replacing an appropriate suspension mounting bolt with the adjustable bolt, rotating the eccentric mechanism to establish the required wheel angle and then tightening the assembly correctly.

The exact mounting position and procedure depend on the suspension design.

What the Job Involves

A typical installation can involve:

• Safely raising and supporting the vehicle
• Identifying the correct mounting position
• Supporting the suspension where required
• Removing the original mounting bolt
• Installing the camber bolt in the specified orientation
• Positioning the eccentric mechanism correctly
• Adjusting camber using alignment equipment
• Tightening the fastener to the required specification
• Checking all relevant wheel alignment angles

The bolt should not be installed in an alternative position simply because it physically fits.

Safety and Wheel Alignment

Suspension mounting bolts are safety-critical fasteners. Use the correct bolt size and follow the installation procedure and torque specification for the application.

Never work underneath a vehicle supported only by a jack.

A professional wheel alignment is required after camber bolt installation. Camber cannot be set accurately by visually judging the wheel angle, and changing camber can also influence other alignment measurements.

For the best result, the technician should measure the complete alignment rather than adjusting camber in isolation.

Choosing Camber Bolts for Your Vehicle

Start with the vehicle application and suspension design, then confirm the mounting location and required bolt size.

Consider:

• Front or rear application
• Suspension design
• Bolt diameter
• Available adjustment
• Current ride height
• Existing suspension modifications
• Target alignment specification

If you're unsure which camber bolts suit the vehicle or whether an adjustable bolt is the correct solution, Whiteline can help confirm fitment before installation.

Shop Camber Bolts with Whiteline

Whiteline camber bolts provide an adjustable solution where additional camber correction is required, helping an alignment technician set the wheel angle for the specific suspension setup.

Camber bolts are a quick win in our alignment parts range, with alignment bushes for bigger corrections.

Choose the correct camber bolt or kit with the added confidence of Whiteline's Fitment Guarantee, and 30 Day Returns. Fitment assistance is also available if you need help identifying the right option before you order.