Ford Racing Caster Camber bolts?
#1
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Join Date: Oct 2007
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Ford Racing Caster Camber bolts?
Considering they are not very safe, I'm surprised Ford is selling camber caster bolts for the S197. Or are we overly cautious and they are not so unsafe? These are the ones I mean:
http://www.brenspeed.com/m-3b236-a.html
http://www.brenspeed.com/m-3b236-a.html
#2
Bolts that can meet the same installation torque spec as the 'regular' bolts would be equally strong and capable of generating OE levels of bolt clamping load. I can't find the spec for these bolts, but the official Ford procedure for camber correction does use "camber bolts". Full strength camber bolts, and you have to do a little grinding to open up some holes in the strut 'ears' to get the available adjustment.
Norm
Norm
Last edited by Norm Peterson; 06-08-2016 at 07:18 AM. Reason: spelling
#4
Bolts that can meet the same installation torque spec as the 'regular' bolts would be equally strong and capable of generating OE levels of bolt clamping load. I can't find the spec for these bolts, but the official Ford procedure for camber correction does use "camber bolts". Full strength camber bolts, and you have to do a little grinding to open up some holes in the strut 'ears' to get the available adjustment.
Norm
Norm
I've been searching for a Ford Service Bulletin or other manufacturer's document to tie back to the "recommended by manufacturer" rule. Can you tell me where I might look?
#5
It should be contained in the Factory Shop Manual in a section called something like "General Procedures/Camber Adjustment - Front". I think DickR over on M u s t a n g 6G dot com knows the little nitty-gritty details for the 2018 much better than I (2018's procedure is slightly different from 2008's).
Unless the SCCA rulebook has been relaxed a bit concerning the source of camber bolts, aftermarket bolts are not considered legal in the Street category.
Norm
Unless the SCCA rulebook has been relaxed a bit concerning the source of camber bolts, aftermarket bolts are not considered legal in the Street category.
Norm
Last edited by Norm Peterson; 09-21-2018 at 02:38 PM.
#6
Norm, Your comment that Ford's procedure for camber correction includes camber bolts is encouraging. I'm Autocrossing a 2015 Mustang GT in F Street. The 2018 SCCA Solo Rules, Section 13.8 E. Street Category /Suspension, says, "If offered by the manufacturer for a particular model and year, the use of shims, special bolts (I'm reading: camber bolts), ….are allowed and the resulting alignment settings are permitted even if outside the normal specification or range of specifications recommended by the manufacturer."
I've been searching for a Ford Service Bulletin or other manufacturer's document to tie back to the "recommended by manufacturer" rule. Can you tell me where I might look?
I've been searching for a Ford Service Bulletin or other manufacturer's document to tie back to the "recommended by manufacturer" rule. Can you tell me where I might look?
#8
Really? Wow, I would've never thought the SCCA would be picky in the wrong way for something that could be a safety issue. Most people aren't going to pay attention to or think about clamping force and bolt strength when using suicide bolts for camber adjustment. I guess as long as you and you get the one or two sets out that claim to have it... C'est la vie
#9
SCCA's Street Category is essentially for factory-stock cars. Only a few modifications are permitted (Ford's own camber bolts are permitted as part of an approved procedure, while aftermarket camber bolts are not).
The 2017 rules are the latest I have, but this paragraph in the introduction to the 'Street' section has stood with little more than the identification of new alternate categories since before 2003).
Norm
Originally Posted by SCCA 2017 Solo rule book
Except for modifications authorized below, Street Category cars must be run as specified by the manufacturer with only standard equipment as defined by these Rules. This requirement refers not just to individual parts, but to combinations thereof which would have been ordered together on a specific car. Any other modifications or equipment will place the car in Street Touring®, Street Prepared, Street Modified, Prepared, or Modified Categories as appropriate.
Norm
Last edited by Norm Peterson; 09-25-2018 at 03:58 PM.
#10
I've competed in FS, ESP, and STU with different "pony cars" through the years. The current F-Street PAX is very favorable for this car even with the performance pack and simple mods that are allowed such as front Eibach stabilizer bar, Koni sport Shocks, Magna Flow cat-backs, etc. As you noted, the castor-camber plates would bounce me into a "higher" category and significantly higher PAX. I may do that again at some point, but I wouldn't "limp in" to a more modified category with just camber plates.
I've worked as a process engineer for years including management of torque systems. I understand the concern about a smaller diameter bolt. If made of the correct material, processed, and heat-treated properly the yield strength and tensile strength of a smaller diameter bolt can be just as much as a fatter bolt. The Ford service pack includes an eccentric bolt and requires opening the hole in the strut to fit the eccentric lobe. That's a lot different than shrinking an eccentric bolt down to fit the hole without modification.
The Ford Performance Parts site shows a YYYY-2014 Camber Bolt Service Pack. If they sell a kit for the 2015 Mustang it's not obvious. The Official Ford Parts Site doesn't seem to show one either. I agree with the interpretation that only Ford's bolts would be approved.
I'll keep looking. thanks for the input.
I've worked as a process engineer for years including management of torque systems. I understand the concern about a smaller diameter bolt. If made of the correct material, processed, and heat-treated properly the yield strength and tensile strength of a smaller diameter bolt can be just as much as a fatter bolt. The Ford service pack includes an eccentric bolt and requires opening the hole in the strut to fit the eccentric lobe. That's a lot different than shrinking an eccentric bolt down to fit the hole without modification.
The Ford Performance Parts site shows a YYYY-2014 Camber Bolt Service Pack. If they sell a kit for the 2015 Mustang it's not obvious. The Official Ford Parts Site doesn't seem to show one either. I agree with the interpretation that only Ford's bolts would be approved.
I'll keep looking. thanks for the input.