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Camber, or “static camber” refers to the angle of the car’s wheels from vertical when viewed from the front or back of the car, and it is measured with the car at its natural ride height. If the wheels lean inward, they have negative camber, and outward lean is positive camber.
Most cars have negative camber to help increase/maintain the tire’s contact area as the suspension is compressed and/or the chassis rolls. Camber is generally never set to positive in the front.
Camber is usually set by adjusting the length of the upper suspension link (often called camber link), as shown above. That camber link's inner and outer mounting points are also important for tuning your handling as they affect the car's roll center and camber gain (explained below).
Front Camber Links
More negative camber
- More traction through turns
- More aggressive steering
Less negative camber (more upright)
- More traction in straights
- Less steering
- Car feels easier to drive
Raised inboard (bulkhead) ball studs
- Lower roll center
- Less camber gain (camber change during compression)
Lowered inboard (bulkhead) ball studs
- Higher roll center
- More camber gain (camber change during compression)
Raised outboard (hub) ball studs
- Less roll, higher roll center
Lowered outboard (hub) ball studs
- More roll, lower roll center
Shorter camber links
- More roll
- Generally suited for low-grip, bumpy tracks
Longer camber links
- Less roll
- Generally suited for smooth, high-grip tracks
Rear Camber Links
More negative camber
- More cornering grip
- Less straight-line traction
- Less high-speed stability
Less negative camber (more upright)
- More straight-line traction
- Less stability in turns
- Less traction in turns
- More high-speed stability
- Slight positive camber (leaning outward) can improve straight-line acceleration on loose tracks, but is otherwise not recommended
Higher inboard (bulkhead) ball studs
- Lower roll center
- Less camber gain (camber change during compression)
Lower inboard (bulkhead) ball studs
- Higher roll center
- More camber gain (camber change during compression)
Higher outboard (hub) ball studs
- Less roll, higher roll center
Lower outboard (hub) ball studs
- More roll, lower roll center
Shorter links
- More roll
- Faster on-power square-up
- Generally suitable for low-grip tracks
Longer links
- Less roll
- Less on-power understeer on high-grip tracks
- Generally suitable for high-grip tracks
Camber Gain
Camber gain is the amount the camber changes as the suspension is compressed. To increase camber gain, lower the camber link at the bulkhead or raise it at the hub, or shorten the camber link.
Less camber gain
- Less initial steering
- Less grip mid-corner to corner exit
- Less steering responsiveness
More camber gain
- More initial steering
- More grip mid-corner to corner exit
- More steering responsiveness
