Camber bolts for rear struts (Page 1/2)
pmbrunelle AUG 09, 01:46 AM
Rockauto has many camber bolts listed for the Fiero.

Which ones are correct and work?

Some listings are apparently wrong, as they are for the "Front" position.

While I selected model year 1985 to generate the following screenshot, the exact same part numbers are generated for 1988.
Patrick AUG 09, 02:00 AM

I haven't got a part number for you, but this is the style you want.
olejoedad AUG 09, 08:02 AM
Be aware that camber bolts are not needed, and many times prevent the full range of motion at the strut/knuckle interface.

Camber bolts are designed so that one Tech can perform an alignment,without help from another Tech to apply force to the strut/knuckle assembly together the proper camber setting.

Repeat, they are not needed, and many times on a Fiero application will prevent proper camber adjustment.
cvxjet AUG 09, 12:16 PM
I use the stock bolts...But I have machined a piece of metal that fits between the strut mounting plate and the bolt to keep the strut from moving during any large suspension gyrations....Back approx' 10 years ago I was driving on Redwood road following some MCs, cranking thru turns and I hit a large dip/bump....Almost lost control of the car- on the drive home I noticed something was odd with how the car was driving.

Next day I jacked it up, pulled the rear wheels and noticed right off that the left side had shifted. It was bad enough hitting that dip/bump but when the suspension camber shifted that made things worse. (And yes, I am VERY careful about torquing those bolts)
olejoedad AUG 09, 12:31 PM
I can't even begin to count how many times a customer has installed camber bolts that we had to remove and discard in order to get the proper camber setting on the rear of a Fiero......

It has everything to do with the brand of strut used, and the profile of the strut to knuckle bracket. Not all brands are the same, and not all brackets within a brand are the same.

This is what must be dealt with in the world of 'interchangeable' parts.....
theogre AUG 09, 12:53 PM
ACD 45K18014, Dorman AK901145PR and others same format will move the strut over entire slot.
The struts are made for this "washer cam" with stamped areas for the washer to force the strut to move in/out.

Other types may not work well or not @ all because of how there made.

If have "lower" car then any cam bolt and Plan bolts may not adjust camber enough to align the car.

Note: Some are sold single, others 2 bolts. Go to marker and double check this.

------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

pmbrunelle AUG 10, 12:41 AM
Thanks guys for the input.

I ordered a set of ACDelco 45K18014 camber bolts. It looks like they will push against the tabs on my KYB struts.

Previously, I've seen a mechanic place an air bladder between the tire and the MacPherson strut. The mechanic loosened the strut-to-knuckle bolts, inflated the air bladder to adjust the camber, and then locked the camber into position by tightening the bolts. It looked really straightforward.

Other times, more often than not, I've been told that the camber is non-adjustable, or that camber bolts are required.

Once I complete my suspension rebuild, I'm planning on getting the car aligned at a garage the day after, and then going on a 1400 km road trip the day after that. In this terrible plan, there isn't much room for delays in the schedule, so I want to have the camber bolts in place to minimize the risk to the schedule! I'll bring the original bolts with me to the garage, in case there's an issue with the camber bolts.
theogre AUG 10, 09:50 PM
The cams aren't just to "save labor" at a shop.

Yes, They make it very easy to set and hold the bolts while use air tool to tighten the nut.
Plus once set, if needed to have assembly apart then easy for you to mark pieces and get same when done so don't need another alignment right away or at all.

Shops "can" to the job w/o them but isn't easy even w/ two people. Often is a Safety Risk because 1 that move/support the wheel often have to reach in weird ways etc. If hurt doing that... opens a very nasty can of worms.

Almost No-one now have alignment machine w/o match lift and all shops don't what OHSA or State Equiv and Insurance problems. Most employees find out dealing w/ Multiple I-co's is not fun on that side either. Suing isn't easy and can take months to years to get any money If you win.
Wichita AUG 11, 08:56 AM
I get everyone has an opinion, but just for clarification from the Fiero sages here... Camber bolts good or bad?

I have put them in after rebuilding the entire rear with an engine swap, but haven't torqued them down nor made 'close homestyle' alignment.

I still have a lot to go before I can take it to an alignment shop, but I have always heard camber bolts were a good thing. But now people are saying 'no'?

olejoedad AUG 11, 09:40 AM
They are a good thing if the eccentric washer isn't so large that it prevents proper camber adjustment.

Not all struts for a Fiero have the same contour and lip design on the strut to knuckle interface.