Mk1 Focus 1.8. I recently noticed that my front drivers side wheel has really negative camber, its been like that since i bought the car (checked old pics) Since buying, its had new bottom arm, new suspension, new knuckle and hub. but its still negative. What else could it be?

CheeRS

 

Did you HPI it? Hate to say it, but it could have been in a bump. My Mondeo's the same, and I presume either the strut top is bent or the subframe is!

 

I did check but it wasnt. Maybe someone hit a kerb or something. Yea i was thinking to replace the subframe as u can pick them up cheap. Or i could get adjustable top mounts i suppose

 

It might have had a bump and it was not reported hence nothing on hpi,if you have replaced most parts it sounds like the subframe is damaged

 

would this cause high speed handling "twitchyness" ?

 

Would say so mate ^^^

 

It's the shock absorber just above the knuckle (hub carrier) that's bent.
You won't easily see it until you remove it.

Compare how far the top inside edge of the tyre is from the shock absorber just under the spring, one side v the other.
You've probably got a bent track rod as well on the same side.

It won't be the subframe.

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ok il try a new track rod, it cant be the shock, as its had all new shocks recently and it stayed the same

 

What if you're replaced the dampers and springs, track rod ends, and wishbones, and wheels and it's still showing negative? Do knuckles really bend?

 

i'm going with the "its been in a bump"

prob bent the chassis rail a bit pulling the top mount in slightly causing excessive negative camber.

oh and i doubt very much the subframe is bent, they're really beefy and the firthest forward point is the front bolt for the wishbone. a LOT of chassis damage would occur FAR before even touching the subframe!

 

been there, done that when i ripped the wheel, including the strut and steering arm, out of the saph a while back

you could actually see the ball joint had twisted the bottom of the hub as it was torn out, the ball joint was still in there though as it had pulled itself out of the bottom of the arb, so if something similar has happened here it might be the fault

 

so what should i do to rectify the situation, adjustable top mounts? or subframe change?

 

go and get the alignment checked to see whats bent, best £50 you'll spend

 

Get it checked over by somebody who knows what they are doing would be a good start before buying other parts

 

Find the true cause, not try to cover up the problem.

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ok cool, anyone know a good place near Glasgow to get it checked?

 

On my mate's clio 172 we measured everything up due to the same problem and it worked out that the hub must have been incorrectly machined (or the bearing pressed in on the wonk, perhaps).