Caster/Camber Plate Install - DIY?

[Turbo Cow]

I just got quoted basically $500 dollars for an alignment from Steeda. $569.66 for an alignment with only camber bolts installed.
I'm wondering how much an alignment should cost from a reputable place and have you ever installed a caster/camber plate yourself? How long does it take?

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[Ewheels]

Your post is rather confusing. Is the $500 for only an alignment or to also install camber plates?

 

[Turbo Cow]

I was told $569.66 for an alignment with new camber bolts installed.
I asked how much for the alignment only if I installed a camber plate myself and was told basically 30 minutes less than the above quote.
Either way, aint no alignment worth that much. Maybe if they leave a few hundred dollar bills in the glove box after they're done. LOL

 

[Ewheels]

I have my alignments done by a local performance shop. $150

 

[John S]

My son and I paid $200 each from a reputable shop owned by a Mustang enthusiast (and racer) for 4-wheel alignments, his GT after a 1" drop and rear subframe and suspension mods, and my Mach 1 after different suspension and subframe mods. (An alignment on an unmodified car would not have taken as long and would have been up to half that amount.) If you are going to do a one-time alignment and basically leave it alone, front camber bolts are fine to dial in minor camber adjustments. If you plan on autocrossing or other events where you want to dial in track alignment specs and switch back to street specs, camber plates are the way to go and are simple to install. Check with your local autocross or track enthusiasts and see where they go for professional alignments. I'm sure you can find better and more reasonable places than what you were quoted.

 

[John S]

Plus, watch out for scammers, many modern cars don't have front camber/caster alignment provisions so some shops will just set front and rear toe and call it good. Our Multi-link IRS has time consuming adjustments for dialing in thrust angle, camber, and toe and a good alignment shop might need more time reach factory specs or whatever specs you want.

 

[NightmareMoon]

If you can install camber plates yourself depends on how comfortable you are with mechanical work.

None of it is rocket science, but the strut to spindle bolts are pretty large and you need some big levers to work those. Do you have the torque wrenches?

Are you prepared to disassemble the springs from the perches and to use spring compressors? (Yeah there are workarounds).

Its not the worst job, half a day taking my time.

But why do you even need crash bolts? Are you just trying to get back to anemic stock camber after lowering? I’d say just leave it, chances are its closer to a better handling alignment with a bit more than OEM camber anyway. Tire wear is barely affected by lowering at all, and correcting the toe is often all you need. If you’re trying to get more camber or to fit wider front tires then more power to you and go get the camber plates.

 

[blankman]

I just got quoted basically $500 dollars for an alignment from Steeda. $569.66 for an alignment with only camber bolts installed.
I'm wondering how much an alignment should cost from a reputable place and have you ever installed a caster/camber plate yourself? How long does it take?

Got one done after I installed the FRTP kit. Only cost me 120$ for the 4 wheel. Had them align to the ford performance specs, not the standard specs.

I borrowed a tool from autozone , didn't fit. So I ended up "renting" one from harbor freight. Ended up not needing it as there is almost no spring pressure on the perches with the Ford Kit. Replaced the perches with a steeda camber plate kit and installed. Reinstalled the stock perches due to an issue with the plates.

So just an FYI I was using a 1/2" impact for the splined bolts that connect the knuckle to the strut and i think an 8oz short handle sledgehammer to push those bolts out. Used a ratcheting wrench for the sway bar end link bolt. After doing it a couple times I got it down pat. 2 bolts for the calipers, 1 bolt for the sensor hanger, 2 for the strut to knuckle and 3 bolts holding the top of the strut.

I can get one fully out in less than 30 mins. It took me longer to jack up the front of the car than to get a single side out.

As far as the camber bolts install, I have really found any info other than the replace the top splined bolts on either side. I have never done those, but I am making the assumption that you just need to hammer both the splined bolts out replace the top bolt with the camber bolt and reinstall the lower bolt.

That should take less time than installing a camber plate as there is more to it.

If someone that has done camber bolts as opposed to plates I'd be very interested in how it actually works for install.

 

[SnowFox]

If they are gonna adjust the rear Camber on stock arms that might be worth a decent penny. Most places just say "it's not adjustable" and of course it actually is, it's just a pia. But even then not sure it's worth THAT much. But some people value set it and forget it.


(This is why I'm shopping after market adjustable rear camber links)

 

[pinksurfer]

I did front plates myself when I installed steeda springs/struts as I got the kit from a guy brand new that sold his car so figured might as well toss them on. probably didn't need them. did a bunch of rear stuff as well same time. not hard but took me a little while due to the stupid friggin irs rear bolts. front driver stripped out(just like most everyone else) so I went kelltrac studs and that added 1.5wks of time.

local import tuner shop charged me $180 to align. their alignment tech's dad has a 350r lowered so he said he knows the adjustment points well. spent 2hrs on the rack and happy with the results so far.

 

[DUNDEM]

That price must have included Camber plates... I got an alignment with the rear upper control arms done at Steeda in Pompano I don't remember the alignment they did being that much, may have been $250 at most but their prices have gone up quite a bit with the "inflation and or world events" since then about 2020.

 

[kz]

I was told $569.66 for an alignment with new camber bolts installed.
I asked how much for the alignment only if I installed a camber plate myself and was told basically 30 minutes less than the above quote.
Either way, aint no alignment worth that much. Maybe if they leave a few hundred dollar bills in the glove box after they're done. LOL

Camber plates or camber bolts ? Two different things, both are very DYI,
Camber bolts require taking out original splined bolts and those can be pain in the ass to get them out.

You will have to get same bolts out (strut to knuckle) when installing plates to remove the struts from the car and then be comfortable with almost certain death (kidding but gotta be careful) using spring compressor to disassemble the strut and replace top mount with a camber plate (may want to think about changing springs at the same time if it's on your list).

Helps to have someone help install nuts in the engine bay when putting the strut back in the car and you feeding the studs in the holes from the bottom.

 

[Cobra Jet]

Camber plates or camber bolts ? Two different things, both are very DYI,
Camber bolts require taking out original splined bolts and those can be pain in the ass to get them out.

You will have to get same bolts out (strut to knuckle) when installing plates to remove the struts from the car and then be comfortable with almost certain death (kidding but gotta be careful) using spring compressor to disassemble the strut and replace top mount with a camber plate (may want to think about changing springs at the same time if it's on your list).

Helps to have someone help install nuts in the engine bay when putting the strut back in the car and you feeding the studs in the holes from the bottom.

^^^. EXACTLY…. I don’t think people are catching on to the OP’s post content vs. their subject title content - 2 entirely different types of parts which are also 2 different levels of R&R, which does impact price point…

@Steeda Tech JohnC

can clarify …

 

[Turbo Cow]

I thought it read correctly. Started out with a quote for an alignment with camber bolts. Then after getting such a high priced quote, I asked how much it would be if I bought the camber plates myself and installed them myself, then drove over there for an alignment.

I ended taking 1/4 turn of toe-in out of the front on each side. It has completely fixed my problem of jerking side to side when driving straight on the highway and riding in the ruts.

 

[kz]

I thought it read correctly. Started out with a quote for an alignment with camber bolts. Then after getting such a high priced quote, I asked how much it would be if I bought the camber plates myself and installed them myself, then drove over there for an alignment.

I ended taking 1/4 turn of toe-in out of the front on each side. It has completely fixed my problem of jerking side to side when driving straight on the highway and riding in the ruts.

The question is what problem were you trying to solve ?
Bad alignment ? Find different place, alignment costs ~$150 pretty much anywhere, you can also use toe plates and set the front toe to zero.

Add camber plates or bolts only if you need more negative camber than you have right now.

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