New alignment with GC camber plates

#1

I have the spec-e30 camber plates on the way. Do i just set the -3.5 camber based on the degree notches on the plate or do i actually have to get the alignment shop to do it?

#2

Notches on the plate are for reference only. Have the car aligned properly.

#3

Go read some of the old threads re. DIY alignment. Buy a digital angle sensor and toe plates, create a perfectly flat surface in your garage, and with great care do your own alignment. Then take car to the alignment shop and use your gear to confirm that the shop’s table is horiz and that your camber and toe devices read the same as theirs. If there is a delta, do your best to figure out which is right.

Thereafter you will be able to do your own alignments. That’s a big deal because you’ll want to check it every couple events. If you have adjustable RTABs (rear trailing arm bushings) you’ll want to check your rear alignment every 30secs.

#4

My car happen to be accurate with the GC notches, but I got pretty lucky. I think you could get close. But for 100% accuracy an alignment is the way to go

#5

Thanks all for the replies - after install i will get an alignment.

Any special tricks to put them in? Do i have to grease the bearing?

#6

There’s no trick to it but you should grease them yes. Since they are a needle bearing type setup I grease mine every month or two if im doing a bunch of events. Or if it rains a lot it is good to grease them a bit more since they aren’t sealed that well. To grease them I just take them apart, it is pretty simple. and just grease in every where in the bearing area, use your best judjment, most importantly grease the bearing though. Ive had mine for a year now and love them.

#7

Thank you all for the replies.

I installed the plates this weekend. Please look at the pictures and tell me if they look right. I installed the “wide” side toward the firewall. The left photo is in place, the right photo shows the plate on top of the tower just to show the orientation. I was not sure which plate was for left/right so I took my best guess.

They appear to be giving me proper neg. camber. Not sure on the caster though. It looks like there is more adjustment room in the plates, but limited by the circumference of the shock tower. Is this what everyone is talking about when they mention modifying the shock towers for camber? Like you cut a slot to allow the plate bolts to move beyond the “circle”?

#8

Incidentally, my question to GC came back with: They can be intalled either way depending on what sort of caster changes your looking for. Conventionally the “wide” side goes toward the front of the car(away from the firewall).

So it looks like I have to switch them.