Camber adjustment possible w/o camber kit

[Google]

condor888000. Thanks for the tip....not getting much tips on the local Mazda board. I went to one of the places recommended and the guy would talk to me in person but he didnt even want to go out of his office in front of his shop to take a quick peek at the tire wear on my car. He told me to come back in a few hours when I knew he would be closed.

[Google]

Ok, so I was re-reading this thread someone who works in an alignment shop posted a comment that the front camber can't be adjusted on the 3.

Am I to understand that S.F.W. was mistaken that there is a camber bold on the front in the Mazda3? I know in one of the US Mazda forums, someone also posted a comment that the 3's camber can be adjusted on the fronts.

[Noisy Crow]

Ok, so I was re-reading this thread someone who works in an alignment shop posted a comment that the front camber can't be adjusted on the 3.

Am I to understand that S.F.W. was mistaken that there is a camber bold on the front in the Mazda3? I know in one of the US Mazda forums, someone also posted a comment that the 3's camber can be adjusted on the fronts.

There is no "camber bolt". Camber is adjustable via the top bolts on the struts: http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/sh...3&postcount=17. Straight out of the Mazda3 Workshop Manual.

[Matt_guy]

correction Phil. Stock front camber is adjustable, rear is not.

Is the front adjustable on a 2012 mazda 3 skyactiv model?

[kimchisoup]

stock cambers are non adjustible.

+1

I confirmed all of this on shop laser alignment machine.

FACTS:
1. Mazda factory manual explicitly states that rear camber is not-adjustable. I ended up buying and installing SPC camber kit - its THE ONLY" WAY.
2. It states front caster and camber can be adjusted by loosening and moving strut mount - BUT ONLY +/-0.1*, which is useless (in reality I could only get 0.1* total adjustment)
The only way to adjust more is to drill out holes and/or install camber plates.

" there are 2 ways to change suspension geometry
1. adjust length. ie turn nut to unscrew SPC upper control arm to dial in positive camber, or in front, eccentric bolts - none compatible with Mazda3 that i know of.
2. change where suspension is attached to. It is risky and time consuming, but possible to cut and weld to different part of subframe. I highly advise against it.

Spec Mazda3 camber are max -1.6* front and -2.4* rear...
if you are way over, either means control arms are bent (MUCH cheaper/easier to replace them), or that the whole subframe is bent and your car is straight as a banana.


To measure camber, park or perfectly level ground (garage).
Hang string with weight over centre of each tire, or use level or carpenter's triangle. Difference in deflection over 17" = 432mm rim, is 10mm=1.3*
ie you measure 35mm from level to top of rim, and 24mm to bottom of rim. Difference = 11mm = approx 1.4*