Rear Adjustable Camber Kit – BMW – Z3, 318ti, E30 & Others
This answer is applicable for many BMWs in addition to the one listed below.
Q
2000 Z3 rear camber adjustment part #192026
I have 2 questions about this rear camber kit:
1. How does it affect the track?
2. What is the camber adjustment range?
I am considering this purchase for the purpose of increasing tire life.
A
The rear camber bushing kits will not appreciably affect the rear track width. However, in reducing the negative camber (for better tire wear), the top of the tire will move more outboard, by a small amount (closer to the upper lip of the wheel opening). If you are running a larger than stock wheel/tire set-up that is very close to the fender lip, reducing the negative camber could potentially cause the tire to interfere with the inside of the fender lip.
The camber adjustment range on the kit for the Z3 (which also fits the E30 3-series, E36 318ti, 2002, E21, E12, E23, Bavaria, CS and E24 and E28 through 82) is about 1.5 degrees in either direction (+/-) from the stock position. Note that the camber kit for the above noted applications will also allow rear toe adjustment. For best tire wear on a standard street car, we typically recommend about 1/4 to 1/2 degree negative camber and the BMW factory toe setting.
Comments are closed.
whow, i was a bit apprehensive, but I went ahead and ordered and installed (the camber kit) in my 1985 535 and also installed a limited slip dif….my mechanic was blown away and said i was ready for the track….it helped get my tires more vertical so as to not wear so much. as far as the handling….check your rear view mirror when you go into a tight turn and the car that was in your mirror is left in the dust!
steve walker, santa barbara, calif.
We’re glad you like the camber kit, Steve! They really do help with either tire wear or handling … or both.
Hi:
I am having an excessive wear problem on the inside of the rear tires on my 98 Z3. The rear camber is at 3 degrees which I believe is the specification. I like your camber kit but do not understand how it works. The camber is adjusted by concentric bushes? Aren’t the factory bushes on my car already designed for a concentric adjustment? Just trying to understand how it works.
I have seen other kits that are welded on to the top of the uprights. They have an oval hole for adjustment but I would prefer not to do any welding.
Thanks in advance for your explanation.
Jerry Judge
Jupiter, Fl
On the Z3 (and all of the older BMW models that use the “Y” shaped trailing arms), the camber kit replaces the original trailing arm bushings with adjustable urethane bushings. The original bushings are not adjustable. The camber bushings have an eccentric center sleeve that is rotated in order to offset the arm up, down, forward or back. By rotating both the inner and outer bushings of the trailing arm (in opposing directions) you can manipulate the camber as well as the toe.
Your notes on adjustable top plates would not apply to the rear suspension. Moving the top of the shock would have no effect on the suspension camber geometry. This would, however, apply to the front on BMWs since they have a full McPherson strut design. Moving the top of the strut will change camber and caster. This is exactly how our front camber kits work, in replacing the stock upper mount with an adjustable upper mount.
Thank you for your explanation. I understand your system now.
Thank you!
Jerry Judge
jupiter, Florida
Hi, there used to be a simple guide on the product page I thought, but I couldn’t find it today…
Could you point me in the right direction?
Here is a copy of the install instructions for this kit:
Rear camber kit install instructions
Thanks for the link…
Hello,
With regards to this kit for the BMW Z3, can you confirm that the adjustment range is 1.5 degrees (positive or negative camber)in either direction, or a total adjustment range of 3 degrees. I have a 1998 BMW Z3 roadster 2.8l.
Thx
Chris
The manufacturer’s specs are the 1.5 degrees in either direction, from neutral (centered). In personal experience with the kits, we would say that this is accurate.