Delberts Wallet Posted February 2, 2001 Share Posted February 2, 2001 How easy is it to adjust the camber. I had a quick look but it looks like you have to take off the top ball joints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bl0498 Posted February 2, 2001 Share Posted February 2, 2001 Gareth, Exactly as you have suggested. Simply remove the upper link balljoint nut and rotate in/out and tighten up the locknut. Replace ball joint nut. You will have to support the upright during the process. As to how many turns in/out equates to how much camber change I suggest one of the more techie guys will answer that or give the factory a call. Whatever, obviously the same both sides! Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StewartG Posted February 2, 2001 Share Posted February 2, 2001 I think 4 turns is 1 degree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberts Wallet Posted February 2, 2001 Author Share Posted February 2, 2001 Thanks for that. It'll give me something to do tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul R. Posted February 3, 2001 Share Posted February 3, 2001 Don't forget that when you alter camber like this, you alter the tracking. You will have to reset tracking also. "You will have to support the upright during the process." Suggest you jack up the car until tyre is just touching ground i.e. suspension at full droop. A clout with a hammer on the upright will usually loosen the taper on the top ball joint. Paul R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS CLARK Posted February 4, 2001 Share Posted February 4, 2001 That's obviously a nylon headed hammer Paul R ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberts Wallet Posted February 6, 2001 Author Share Posted February 6, 2001 Right. I've taken another look at adjusting the camber but am unable to get the ball joint out. I've spoken to Caterham and they suggested that I use a ball joint splitter. Which is the easiest method baring in mind I've never used a ball joint splitter and wouldn't be that sure how to put it back together again. Any comments please... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aideen Posted February 6, 2001 Share Posted February 6, 2001 A ball joint splitter should make the job easy. I've never had any luck with hammers where ball joints were concerned. Aideen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Bees Posted February 6, 2001 Share Posted February 6, 2001 I've never had any luck with the clouting method (although I've seen other people do it - and no a nylon-headed hammer won't do it!), and it's difficult to see how you'd get a splitter in there without wrecking the rubber boot on the balljoint. I use a suitable sized socket and a suitable lump of metal (if you built the car then the lug you hacksawed off the back of the diff is perfect). The lump of metal sits on the upright directly below the nut/stud of the balljoint. A suitably sized socket sits on top of the lump of metal, possibly packed up with a larger washer or two, such that as you undo the nut (with an open-ended spanner) the nut starts to bear on the socket just after the nyloc has cleared the end of the stud. As you continue to undo the nut it can't travel down because it is hard up against the socket, and the socket is hard up against the lump of metal, and the lump of metal is sitting on the upright. Eventually there's a big bang and the balljoint pops. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PACR Posted February 6, 2001 Share Posted February 6, 2001 A ball joint splitter comes in a few varieties. The best (I've found) are the ones that are a bit like a very big clothes peg, with a wopping bolt that's done up at one end to force the other end together. The other end has a v-cut out to position above the ball part (bearing on the upright) and an arm to position on the thread of the ball joint protruding from the upright. Use a nut to push on to prevent damageing the thread. Simply do up the big bolt and -bang- the joint comes apart without resorting to a hammer. Putting joints back together can be tricky - you try and do up the nut and the ball just rotates as the taper hasn't locked. Nylocs are the worst for doing this. Clean the surface of the taper and the hole in the upright very carefully and ensure no grease is present. Then push the two together in a sharp smooth motion (similar to inserting tool heads in a Morse taper on a drill / mill etc). Shouldn't cost you more than a few quid from halfords - as always buy decent kit 'cos it's taking a lot of force. I'd avoid anything where a hammer is involved as they have a nasty habit of contacting stuff they shouldn't. If you do use one then get something to spread the load. Cheers Piers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelspeed Posted February 12, 2001 Share Posted February 12, 2001 > If you do use one (hammer) then get something > to spread the load. I always seem to end up using my thumb for this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberts Wallet Posted February 13, 2001 Author Share Posted February 13, 2001 I decided to take the car to Arrowstar to how it was done. It looks easy enough but they couldn't turn the ball joint even with a lever a meter long. Ho Hum..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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