Wheel Camber

[Simon Harvey]

Hi,

I am trying to find out information on wheel camber namely, where and when you use it and to what degree. Which way do you camber the wheels? is it different for front and rear wheels?

Questions, Questions, Questions....I know, but any help in understanding this topic would be appreciated.

Ta

[enzo]

A quick answer:

It's used at both ends to counteract the tire carcass distortion from cornering loads. The amount needed depends on the tire design, and the camber curve of the suspension.

Unless there is something drasticly wrong with the suspension design, static camber is set negative - top tilted inwards.

[Tony Harman]

enzo's exactly right, want you want to happen in simple terms is for the loaded (outside) tyre to be upright during a turn, so you apply a little negative static camber.
The amount depends on so many factors, tyres, suspension design, type of circuit etc. What are you racing Simon ?
I'm running a little under 1/2 degree on the front and 0 deg on the rear on a slick shod circuit car.

[joseff]

Btw CART cars on ovals would have positive camber dialed in on the inside wheels. ie. all 4 wheels are tilted towards the midfield.

[THR]

we run loadsa camber,
its all to do with tire temps arcoss the tread.
3-5 deg neg we run on a slick and wings car, and the tires can be seen to deflect to vertical under cornering.

depends on tire construction to
radials run more than crossplies.

[Tony Harman]

are u running F3 radials then thr ?
thought of trying them on the clubmans car - need to calculate all the angles first though. would be interested to know if u also increase track and caster too.

[THR]

Running Formula renault tires. (on a formula renault)
Michelins.
8's and 10's
castor around 6deg i think.

[Lola]

Take a look at the Monoposto web site- Technical tips.

www.monoposto.freeserve.co.uk

It explains Caster camber etc......

[DAVID PATERSON]

I race a small rear wheel drive sedan, with 4 deg neg camber at the front and 2.5 deg neg camber at the rear. Even with this much, i'm still scrubbing the outside shoulders of the tyres. ? !

[ma]

Dave: How far around the shoulder on to the sidewall? I'm assuming that these are radials? Street or race?

Generally, if everything is right, the scuffing will be approximately equal on both sidewalls. If the outer wall shows more, then you need to either add more negative camber, more air pressure, or both.

Look for the temps to read highest at the center, about 5-10 degrees F lower at the outer edge, & 10-20 lower at the inner edge.

If you can't cure it this way, then the tires are flat too weak for the job. Either that, or the car is rolling way too much.

Have you any pictures of the car mid-corner that show the tire distortion?

[DAVID PATERSON]

The tyres are treaded racing radials with rigid sidewalls and very soft tread. Only the outside shoulders are wearing excessively. I have photos showing some distortion of the tyres and some body roll under cornering. The tyres are considered de rigeur for the class and my car is probably just as firmly suspended as any other in the class. Unfortunately i don't have access to a tyre pyrometer, otherwise I'd know exactly what to do with the set-up.

[enzo]

Buy a pyrometer!!!! You'll never get it sorted correctly without one.

Can you post any of the pictures?