goodatcrashing Posted October 23, 2011 Posted October 23, 2011 Hi all, The story: I had a bit of slow speed contact with the offside rear wheel and a kerb one wet evening. This bent the toe and camber arms. The solution: Replacement rear suspension arms were sourced off another 05 car and fitted no problem (mine is a 53). The parts replaced include; Front lower link (camber arm), Rear lower link (spring cup) and Radius rod (toe arm). I checked the dimensions of the new parts were the same as the originals. The only mistake made during the installation was loosening the rear subframe bolt (the one that goes through the rear member stay) by accident but tightened it back up after realising. Once all these were fitted, I dropped the car back on the ground then tightened all 6 bolts. The problem: The wheel now has a huge amount of toe out. I adjusted the Rear lower link to its limit to try and solve the toe but it still has about 10 deg toe out. The nearside rear wheel was unharmed so I compared all the suspension components, which look similar. The request: HELP! What am I doing wrong? Did loosening the subframe bolt allow it to shift? Are there any important installation procedures I may have missed? Any other suggestions to what may be causing the toe out? Thanks in advanced for any suggestions! Quote
Darren-B Posted October 23, 2011 Posted October 23, 2011 Hope the subframes not twisted from the accident???? Are you sure you fitted the adjustment eyes up the right way? Quote
goodatcrashing Posted October 23, 2011 Author Posted October 23, 2011 I visually inspected the subframe and nothing seems to be noticeably out of shape in comparison to the other side. What do you mean by the adjustment eyes? Quote
Darren-B Posted October 23, 2011 Posted October 23, 2011 I visually inspected the subframe and nothing seems to be noticeably out of shape in comparison to the other side. What do you mean by the adjustment eyes? Borrowed from someone on google Quote
goodatcrashing Posted October 23, 2011 Author Posted October 23, 2011 I dont see how these can be fitted incorrectly? It wouldn't make a difference if the washer were above the centre line or below would it? Quote
Darren-B Posted October 23, 2011 Posted October 23, 2011 It makes a big difference, I`ve done it myself when fitting my eibach arms Heres the service manual on rear suspension, hope it helps Quote
goodatcrashing Posted October 23, 2011 Author Posted October 23, 2011 I adjusted this bolt to its toe-in limit ie. the bolt head centre line is rotated furthest to the outside. Despite this, there is still the toe out. Quote
Zugara Posted October 23, 2011 Posted October 23, 2011 It would do if they are cam bolts. I dont see how these can be fitted incorrectly? It wouldn't make a difference if the washer were above the centre line or below would it? Quote
goodatcrashing Posted October 23, 2011 Author Posted October 23, 2011 I see how the cam bolts adjust the toe and camber, but not how they can be fitted incorrectly? Quote
Zugara Posted October 23, 2011 Posted October 23, 2011 I don't know whether they are directional fitment. Why don't you PM . He will be able to point you in the right direction. I see how the cam bolts adjust the toe and camber, but not how they can be fitted incorrectly? Quote
goodatcrashing Posted October 23, 2011 Author Posted October 23, 2011 I think you may be right, they are directional. Just playing with a spare set and you can fit the spacer on the wrong way round (bad design). I'll check the car and make sure they are correct. Will PM Alex too Quote
goodatcrashing Posted October 23, 2011 Author Posted October 23, 2011 Just been out to check the car and the bolts are on correctly. Damn, it would have been such an easy fix if they weren't! For reference, the pic below shows the correct orientation on the left and incorrect on the right: Quote
Mark@Abbey m/s Posted October 23, 2011 Posted October 23, 2011 When you carry out 4 wheel alignment when adjust the rear camber/track you have to juggle both eccentrics to get both the camber/toe correct. You can't just leave the camber link in the same position and expect the angles to be correct Get the car on a laser 4 wheel alignment machine. Quote
goodatcrashing Posted October 24, 2011 Author Posted October 24, 2011 Very true. Is 10 deg toe out too much for the toe/camber arms to correct? I shall take it to an alignment shop to get their oppinion. Im starting to suspect the hub or upper control arm is also bent a very small amount. Quote
goodatcrashing Posted October 24, 2011 Author Posted October 24, 2011 For Alex, a picture of the suspension arms replaced are shown below: Huge thanks to Alex for methodically going through all the possible causes Quote
ZMANALEX Posted October 24, 2011 Posted October 24, 2011 Ouch! As discussed, guess that it may well be the hub carrier that is causing the issue with your camber and toe. Fingers crossed that it is not the alloy sub frame. Alex. Quote
Darren-B Posted October 24, 2011 Posted October 24, 2011 Looking at those pics I'd say there was quite an impact to cause that damage, hopefully it hasn't damaged the sub frame Quote
Mark@Abbey m/s Posted October 24, 2011 Posted October 24, 2011 Very true. Is 10 deg toe out too much for the toe/camber arms to correct? I shall take it to an alignment shop to get their oppinion. Im starting to suspect the hub or upper control arm is also bent a very small amount I think you maybe lucky and get the angles back in spec with sometime on the 4 wheel alignment, it would be a pretty big hit to damage a hub, the subframes do tweak thou but normally you can get the rear geo back in spec. Quote
goodatcrashing Posted October 26, 2011 Author Posted October 26, 2011 Im going to take a bit of everyone's advice and replace the hub and wishbone then take it to an alignment shop. I'll update after its been done. Thanks for the advice Quote
Lexx Posted October 26, 2011 Posted October 26, 2011 For comparison.... When I span the VXR8 into a curb last December, it resulted in less damage to suspension parts that the pic you have shown, but there was a very slight twisting in the diff sub frame. The twist wasnt noticable when fitted to the car, but when removed and inspected it was clear it was bent out of shape and required replacing. Quote
goodatcrashing Posted October 29, 2011 Author Posted October 29, 2011 Bit of an update; new hub and upper wishbone fitted which pulled the alignment back to almost zero. Using my eye alignment kit it looks about right. Off to the alignment shop to get everything set up good and proper. Thanks for the advice Quote
ZMANALEX Posted October 29, 2011 Posted October 29, 2011 Bit of an update; new hub and upper wishbone fitted which pulled the alignment back to almost zero. Using my eye alignment kit it looks about right. Off to the alignment shop to get everything set up good and proper. Thanks for the advice Great news Wai Man Happy days again mate Quote
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