Camber bolts.

[titodj]

I replaced the control arms, sway bars and ball joints on my X5
Now after a couple of weeks my left strut is making noises, I guess all the new bushings placed more stress on the old strut.

Anyway, I'll change both struts, but I was wondering is it is a good idea to install camber bolts too.

It happened with my van that after strut replacement, the guys at the alignment shop told me that I needed camber bolts and wanted 120 to install them.
So I figured, maybe is worth have them in place just in case?

http://a.co/d/gmjt3td

[andrewwynn]

I thought the camber is pinned but didn't realize needed to add a bolt to adjust. If the $120 include alignment that's a winner


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[wpoll]

I thought that E53 camber is normally adjusted with a factory tool on the top of the strut...



https://workshop-manuals.com/bmw/x_s...xle/page_1251/

So where does this aftermarket "camber bolt" go? In the chassis end of the rear control arm?

[oldskewel]

Yes, wpoll, that's how camber is usually adjusted - up at the top of the strut, but the range is very small. Only a fraction of a degree. You only need the special tool if you're going to dial it in carefully. Since the range is so small, you'll probably end up pegged one way or another - limited by the slightly oversized holes for the 3 studs + nuts.

I think these camber bolts are intended to be used at the bottom end of the front struts - the two horizontal bolts that connect the strut to the carrier would be replaced by these (either both of them or just one depending on how much angle to you want to put in there), allowing adjustment.

I have not done that second one on my x5, but on my Honda I've done a similar thing, but just using slightly undersized bolts, not eccentric ones like these.

[titodj]

They are supposed to replace the top bolt that secures the spindle to the strut.

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by titodj

They are supposed to replace the top bolt that secures the spindle to the strut.

They are "cammed" like the bolts in the rear swing arms.

[LVP]

To adjust the camber, remove the tall pin (located right above the "32 3" in the photos above). Both of mine are removed and it gives that extra bit of alignment needed to get in spec. If you remove the pin and max it out and you're still not in spec, you'll need the lower camber bolts (or look for something else that has worn).

[andrewwynn]

That looks way better than the factory solution. I need to fix my rear camber it's not horrible just pretty clear I've got a worn out bushing or such. But for fronts, if I can't get camber to spec I'll be ordering a pair of these for each of our x5s