Camber Arms

Camber arms provide additional control over wheel camber when the standard suspension adjustment cannot achieve the required alignment setting. They are particularly useful on suspension systems where lowering or other geometry changes move camber beyond the available adjustment range.

Depending on the suspension design, camber correction can come from an adjustable camber arm that changes effective length or from a suspension arm designed to provide additional alignment correction through its geometry and associated adjustment hardware. The correct solution depends on the vehicle, suspension position and amount of correction required. Camber should always be measured as part of a professional wheel alignment before choosing a correction method.

What Are Camber Arms?

Camber arms are suspension arms designed to provide additional control over wheel camber. They can replace a standard suspension link where the original adjustment range is insufficient, allowing the wheel's position to be changed relative to the suspension.

Camber arms are commonly associated with independent suspension systems because the position and length of individual links can influence wheel angle.

Not every camber arm is adjustable in the same way. Some use an adjustable mechanism, while other suspension-arm designs work with dedicated alignment hardware to provide the required correction.

What Is Camber?

Camber is the inward or outward tilt of a wheel when viewed from the front or rear of the vehicle.

Negative camber means the top of the wheel tilts inward. Positive camber means it tilts outward.

Camber influences how the tyre sits against the road and interacts with other alignment settings. The correct setting depends on the suspension design and intended alignment specification rather than simply aiming for zero camber.

What Do Camber Arms Do?

Camber arms allow suspension geometry to be changed where the existing adjustment cannot achieve the required camber setting. By changing the relationship between the suspension links and wheel assembly, they can move the top or bottom of the wheel inward or outward.

This can be useful after suspension modifications or when additional alignment correction is otherwise required.

The purpose is not simply to add more negative or positive camber. A camber arm gives the alignment technician additional adjustment so the appropriate setting can be achieved for the suspension setup.

Camber should also be considered alongside toe and other alignment measurements rather than adjusted in isolation.

What Do Rear Camber Arms Do?

Rear camber arms provide additional camber adjustment at the rear wheels on compatible independent suspension systems. They are commonly used when the original rear adjustment range is insufficient to achieve the required alignment after changes to suspension geometry.

An adjustable rear camber arm changes the relationship between the rear knuckle and its suspension mounting points. Altering the effective arm length can move the wheel inward or outward at the relevant mounting point, changing camber.

The final setting should always be measured with wheel-alignment equipment.

Why Can Lowering Add Negative Rear Camber?

Lowering changes the suspension's resting position within its normal range of travel.

On many independent suspension designs, the geometry causes the top of the wheel to move inward as the suspension compresses. Lowering can place the suspension farther into this part of its geometry at normal ride height, resulting in additional negative camber.

The amount varies between suspension designs and lowering heights.

This is why lowering does not automatically mean camber arms are required. Measure the vehicle first and determine whether the original adjustment range can still achieve the required setting.

How Do Camber Arms Work?

Adjustable camber arms work by changing their effective length, which alters the position of the suspension mounting points relative to the wheel or knuckle. This provides an alignment technician with an additional way to move camber in the required direction.

The exact mechanism depends on the arm design.

Threaded adjusters are one method. Other designs can use different adjustable or offset arrangements to achieve a geometry change.

Changing one suspension link can also influence other alignment measurements. Camber adjustment should therefore be followed by a complete wheel alignment rather than checking camber alone.

On-Car vs Off-Car Adjustable Camber Arms

Some adjustable camber arms can be altered while fitted to the vehicle, allowing an alignment technician to make changes while monitoring wheel geometry.

Other designs may need to be disconnected or removed before their effective length can be changed.

Neither method is universally better. On-car adjustment can make fine-tuning more convenient, while the correct design ultimately depends on the suspension layout and application.

Always follow the adjustment procedure specified for the individual arm.

Types of Camber Correction Arms

Camber correction can be achieved through different suspension-arm designs depending on how the vehicle's suspension controls wheel geometry. The important distinction is how the component changes camber, rather than whether every product looks or adjusts the same way.

Adjustable Rear Camber Arms

Adjustable rear arms provide additional control over camber by allowing the effective arm length or mounting relationship to be altered.

On some multi-link suspension designs, an individual arm can influence more than one aspect of wheel geometry. Changes should therefore be measured carefully so camber correction does not leave toe or another alignment angle outside the intended setting.

Front Lower Arms and Camber Adjustment

Some front suspension systems use a lower control arm together with dedicated alignment hardware to provide additional geometry correction.

In these applications, the complete arm geometry and adjustment method work together rather than the arm itself necessarily functioning as a conventional threaded adjustable camber arm.

Where camber bolts form part of the adjustment method, they should be set according to the applicable procedure and checked with proper alignment equipment.

Do You Need Camber Arms After Lowering?

Not necessarily. Lowering can change camber, but whether camber arms are required depends on the suspension geometry, lowering amount and adjustment already available on the vehicle.

Start with a wheel alignment.

If the required camber can still be achieved using the existing adjustment, additional arms may not be necessary. If the alignment technician reaches the limit of the standard adjustment before achieving the required setting, an appropriate camber correction component may provide the additional range needed.

Worn or damaged suspension components should also be corrected before using adjustable arms to compensate for an alignment problem.

Can Camber Arms Fix Uneven Tyre Wear?

Camber arms can help when uneven tyre wear is related to a camber setting that cannot otherwise be corrected, but camber is only one possible cause of abnormal tyre wear.

Other factors include:

• Incorrect toe
• Tyre pressure
• Worn suspension bushes or joints
• Damaged suspension components
• Wheel or tyre problems
• Driving conditions and tyre use

Camber and toe can also interact in tyre-wear patterns.

Have the tyres, suspension and alignment measured before deciding that camber correction is the solution.

How Are Camber Arms Fitted?

Camber arm installation generally involves safely supporting the vehicle and suspension, removing the existing arm and installing the replacement at its specified mounting points. Adjustable arms then need an appropriate initial setting before the final wheel alignment.

The exact procedure depends on the suspension design and arm position.

Installation may involve inspecting mounting points and hardware, fitting the arm in the correct orientation, checking clearances through suspension movement and tightening all fasteners according to the specified procedure.

Where compliant bushes are used, follow the applicable procedure for final tightening at normal ride height where required.

Safety and Wheel Alignment

Never work underneath a vehicle supported only by a jack. Use appropriate stands or workshop lifting equipment and safely support suspension components before disconnecting an arm.

Do not assume replacing one arm at a time is appropriate for every suspension design.

Fasteners should be tightened using the manufacturer's specified procedure and torque values.

A professional wheel alignment is required after fitting or adjusting camber arms. Camber should be measured along with toe and the other applicable alignment angles.

Use a qualified technician if you do not have the equipment or experience required for suspension and alignment work.

Choosing Camber Arms for Your Vehicle

Choose camber arms according to the suspension design, front or rear position and amount of alignment correction required.

Use actual alignment measurements to determine whether additional adjustment is needed rather than choosing an arm solely because the vehicle has been lowered.

Whiteline can assist with fitment if you're unsure which camber correction solution suits your suspension.

Shop Camber Arms with Whiteline

Whiteline camber arms and adjustable rear camber arms provide application-specific geometry correction where additional camber adjustment is required.

Choose the correct fitment with the added confidence of Whiteline's Fitment Guarantee, Warranty and 30 Day Returns, with fitment assistance available when you need help identifying the appropriate solution.