After reading yet another post of "I just got an alignment and it still f***ing pulls to the left!", I feel the need to post about this.

When aligning my Lancer, my mechanic found this information:
Front camber - nonadjustable
Front caster - nonadjustable

So, guess why your car wasn't fixed after the alignment? Because the car will naturally pull towards the side with more positive camber (if I'm remembering right, correct me if I'm wrong). And of course, there's a 50-50 shot that the left side has more camber.

I'll be ordering camber bolts soon. I strongly suggest that more Lancer owners do this.

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EDIT:
Also, AllData FINALLY listed 2008 Lancer in their database. Information is terribly sparse, but there is alignment info. Note the parts I highlighted...

Front Wheel Alignment

TOE-IN
Standard value: 1±2mm (0.04±0.09 inch)

STEERING ANGLE
Standard value: 40°50'±1°30' 33°50'

CAMBER, CASTER AND KINGPIN INCLINATION
Standard values:
Camber -0°05'±0°30' (Left/right deviation within 30')
Caster 2°40'±0°30' (Left/right deviation within 30')
Kingpin inclination 13°30'±1°30'

NOTE: Camber and caster are preset at the factory and cannot be adjusted.

Rear Wheel Alignment

TOE-IN
Standard value: 3±2mm (0.12±0.08 inch)
NOTE: Toe-in varies approximately 2.6mm (0.10 inch) (equivalent to 0°16' of the toe angle for one side) for each scale mark on the toe adjustment bolt.

CAMBER
Standard value: -0°55'±0°30' (Left/right difference 0°30' max)

NOTE: Camber is pre-adjusted at the factory and is not adjustable.

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Now, for those of you going "why should I care that my camber isn't adjustable?", I have one simple answer.

I don't have my alignment spec sheet in front of me, I have remember the basic idea. And that was this:

Front left wheel - slightly positive camber (but within the 30' specified by )
Front right wheel - slightly negative camber (but again within specs)

What does this mean? It means that while my car is basically what would call "close enough," I have positive camber on one wheel and negative camber on the other. Which means my car doesn't drive straight.

Anyone understand why I'm annoyed?

 

Ahh black sheep, I thought the problem with the issue was the stock tires of the 2008 Lancer? The dunloops 5000M or something like that? I thought dealers would replace these tires if something was wrong with them.

Anyways, what are camber bolts? how much they cost? Are they self installable?

 

Thanks for the post.... and who posted that?

 

hey black.. can you explain what a camber bolt actually do?? the rrm website doesn't really explain how they work...

 

camber bolts install at the top of your strut tower and basically are elliptical shaped ( i believe ) and you can turn then to adjust the top of the strut in or out, thus changing camber. For what a camber angle is....google it :P

 

CamShaft pretty much got it. Just for the Hell of it, I'm going to give my version.

The stock bolts that hold your struts to the hub are normal bolts. Which means that the strut doesn't move.

A camber bolt isn't round. So as you turn it in the hole, it allows the strut to move. This allows you to change the camber. If you ever watch someone adjust a car with camber bolts, you'd be amazed.

On my 2001 Subaru (chassis GC), I put some 2002 WRX struts (chassis GD). Since the struts came from a completely different chassis, I had positive camber. So I got some camber bolts, and I watched my mechanic crank the struts from being positive (top of tire leans away from car) to normal (tire straight up and down). It's interesting to watch.

Yeah, I think the guy's screenname might have been MickyOz...

 

So in other words I should be wary when I get an alignment? Would the dealership put the camber bolts on for me or do I need to goto a 3rd party mechanic? And if I do place them on will they void my warranty should something happen to the struts (god forbid)?

 

I doubt you'd be violating any warrenty, seeing as you'd still be keeping all the numbers in spec. And to Blacksheep, do you know of anyone else selling these camber bolts or is it just RRM?

 

I got Evo camber adjustment bolts for my OZ...would the same one fit for the '08s?

 

so the camber bolts go on the top near the strut towers where the strut bar is mounted to or down below by the hub? if i have this in my head correctly then wouldn't you need a few of them for each wheel? i should try and find a picture on this because i think i just confused myself more from reading this. i should just buy them and let the alignment shop deal with it but i just like knowing how they work before i buy them.

 

3 of them per strut. The go at the top of the strut. Never done any so couldn't tell you how involved it is.

EDIT - NO NO NO. These are not camber bolts. Those are just the mounting studs for the suspension!

 

Yes. Your alignment probably won't fix anything. Make sure you get a printout of the before/after specs so you know.

Dealership probably would, but a 3rd party should be cheaper.

The only way it would void your warranty would be if the camber bolts CAUSED the problem (like by falling out or breaking or something). Otherwise, you should be fine.

No, only RRM that I know of.

Not sure. Haven't compared the stock bolt to Evo or OZ bolts. If I remember correctly, RRM said it was a different kit from their 02-06 kit.

Down below by the hub. One per wheel is fine. You'd only need two if you needed to make a BIG camber change.

NO NO NO. These are not camber bolts. Those are just the mounting studs for the suspension!

 

Example photos:

Camber bolts



Where they go

 

Now i just picked up my car from the dealership today after they were supposed to fix the alignment due to it pulling to the left. Now i knew going into it they werent going to do anything, but how do i tell my dealship to give me tires or chamber bolts, i shouldnt have to pay for something that they should be able to fix. The only reason i brought it in is cause in NJ if the same problem is consistent its a lemon, therefore i get my money back or they give me a new car. Just ranting cause i am angry that i pay for car every month that the dealership pretends to fix, and what makes me the most mad is either i can pay for the fix myself of just let it keep going and create premature wear on my tires. but thats me

 

Well, here is what I'm doing (I have an appointment in the A.M.) about my "pulling to the left" issue.

Thsi will be my 2nd appointment. If nothing happens to fix the problem on this appointment. I'm calling Mitsu. I'll then go in for a 3rd appointment and see what happens. If nothing happens then to fix the problem...I'm starting the "Dispute Resolution Process" paperwork.

I have already printed out every single mention of: 2008 Mistu Lancer GTS "pulling to the left" internet postings (from this forum and a few others) and will be bringing it to my dealer for my appointment tomorrow. I'm not 100% sure I will be using it to show them tomorrow, or if I'll wait until what is sure to be appointment #3 in a week or two.

I have over 50 pages of people compalining about the same problem. I have highlighted each and every mention of the "pulling to the left" problem and also circled any potential fixes (changing tires, etc.).

I'll report back after my appointment tomorrow. I'm somewhat concerned that they won't do a darn thing tomorrow because while driving today, it was a very slight pull to the left...4 days ago it (the pull) and the front-end was shuddering so badly that after 1 mile on the road I turned around and parked the Lancer in my driveway and drove off to Vegas in my truck!!!

stay tuned...hopefully i can talk them into replacing the tires tomorrow...another bad thing is that I have to drive 80 miles to get to my nearest Mitsu dealer!