Wheel camber

[mauvstag38]

Hi.
When I reverse out of my garage the front wheels on my 71 MK2 2000 splay out at the bottom when I drive forward again they return to vertical is this normal. I do have power steering fitted.
George.

[murcod]

I find mine gets a lot of positive camber (splay out at the top) if the steering has just been turned and then the vehicle stopped. If it has been driven in a straight line and then stopped it isn't noticeable. (I do need to get a proper wheel alignment done, one day...)

That's with power steering fitted too.

[Alec]

Hello George,

I don't think that is normal, I would have a close look at the strut reaction arm mounting bushes and attachment, The arm that goes rearward from the suspension to the body.

Alec

[Mike Stevens]

Doesn't sound right to me either. The bit that Alec mentioned I call a 'drag strut' and they are known to fracture where the ARB drop links fit - if an ARB is fitted. I'm not sure that would change the camber though.

The camber does change dramatically when the car is jacked up of course. Then when you let it down again, the camber is still wrong until the wheels have rolled a bit to get back to the normal setting.

Does that help? I doubt it.

Cheers,
Mike.

[CAR]

I would have to agree about the drag strut or it's mount in the chassis, perhaps the large washers are damaged and sliding up the arm.

Both of our cars have PAS although only the estate has an ARB, there is a pronounced rise and fall of the car's front end if steering from lock to lock when parking for example, no idea about the camber change as I'm in the car.
There is no change in camber when reversing except if reversing uphill or quickly, when weight transfer would compress the front suspension and cause more negative camber.

Colin.

[leesellars]

Sounds like the drag strut is cracked at the mounting bolts where it bolts to the track arm. I found this on mine. If so best to replace both sides.

Lee

[Alec]

Hello all,

now that it has been mentioned it is called the drag strut, but for the life of me I can't see where that term comes from.
There is very rarely any drag on it, most of it's work is in compression, push strut would be more accurate?

Alec

[wild bill]

Hi Alec,your'e on the button,it IS known as a compression strut anytime I've had dealings with them in the past,including the rare early Mk ! Escort!
Take care,Bill.

[Mike Stevens]

push strut would be more accurate

You are of course right! I only use that term as it seems to be in fairly common usage and we then all know what we're talking about.

Yes, as I said before, they do break. I have seen cracked ones on a car as well as cracked and broken ones in my spares. It is a good idea to reinforce these anyway, so a broken one can be repaired by prepping out the crack, welding it up on both sides, and then adding strengthening plates on both outside surfaces. Don't make the plate too long or they will obstruct the drop link (I found out the hard way). You will also need a longer bolt, but if I recall correctly, CW suggests a main bearing cap bolt!

This all doesn't help the camber issue much though.

Good to hear from you Bill. Hope you're keeping OK!

Cheers,
Mike.

[Alec]

Hello Mike,

my thinking was that if there was some play in the drag strut(s) then when reversing the wheels would tend to be drawn to the front of the car. It was the only thing I could think of that could possibly alter the camber with rearward motion. If they are sound then I haven't a clue why this should happen, but it must be some sort of play somewhere?

Alec