Front Axle / Front Suspension: Excessive camber; is this normal for completely defunct shocks and springs?

[bsrosell]

Look this... Was not as obvious back when I had fenders on and such, but this weekend I put tires back on so I could roll it outside to sandblast floor panels and determine where to cut 'rot'...
I do have a crack on top of the passenger side front crossmember, but doubt that has anything to do with this. (is symmetrical...) I am HOPING this is just a dramatic example of really awful coil springs and shocks? (so when I rebuild the front-end completely, it will return to a normal camber?
(note, I mistakenly called this "toe-in" in original post, thus the appreciated corrections below :-)

[41 Frank]

What you are seeing is negative camber caused by very little weight on the front suspension without drive train being in car. As the suspension unloads the shorter upper control arms operate on a different plane as the lowers causing this condition.

[rockne10]

That's not "toe-OUT". That's camber. It will be affected by the amount of weight put on the suspension. Do not adjust until car is complete.

[bsrosell]

dah! I should know that (I DO know that; I adjust toe-in on my Model-A Ford....) Wrong choice of terms. Thanks for correcting.
AND, thanks for reminding me of the affect of 'lack of designed weight'. Never thought of that.

[DEEPNHOCK]

I am so glad there is the option to delete a snarky reply....
(Jimmijim is teaching me )

[jlmccuan]

Actually, doesn't toe go from in to out with the suspension completely unloaded as well? Especially the way a Stude camber changes.

[showbizkid]

I am so glad there is the option to delete a snarky reply....

Yeah, but we mods get to read 'em anyhow

[bsrosell]

I don't suppose there is a way to edit the title? (I tried.. :- ) Still embarrassed, can't believe I called that 'toe-in' vs camber. :-)
But sure relieved the CAMBER isn't hosed up somehow. I've never had a body stripped down 'naked' like this with wheels on, really took me by surprise.
It raises a question though; is camber something you guys do yourselves, or do you trust the 'modern' shops to check and set when everything is finished up and car is complete? (and I'll admit this so far down the road I've not looked in the Shop Manual to see the procedure; maybe no big deal.)
I see the other post this week on alignment shops, but I've ONLY ever had alignment done where toe-in is the only thing adjusted. Never even had camber discussed on any car I've had...... And I also made a tool of slip-fit tubes with chains on the end (for exact same height from floor) to adjust toe-in on my '30 Ford.... Even there, camber was never an issue.

[sals54]

I've always done my own camber adjustment. I do mine with a good level and my eyeballs. Nowdays you might be able to do it with a good digital level and nail it dead on. We must be reminded that there are so many front end parts that have play in them, that its the suspension in its rolling state that needs to be measured. Anytime I adjust toe in or camber, the car must be allowed to roll to a stop without braking. Just make all preparations before the car rolls to a stop. Make adjustments, then remove wheel and secure the pinch bolt and plug. With the car you see below, the camber is adjusted all the way out and its still not within specs but I can live with it cuz its even lower than seen in this pic, now. In my case its about compromise. I'm trading camber for stance.

[BobPalma]

I don't suppose there is a way to edit the title? (I tried.. :- ) Still embarrassed, can't believe I called that 'toe-in' vs camber. :-)

Yes, you can edit the thread's title.

First click on EDIT as you normally would. at the bottom of your post.

Then, when your original post appears to edit, click on GO ADVANCED. The thread will again appear with the title in a position to be changed, edited, deleted, whatever you want to do with it.

When you are through changing the title (and anything in the body of the post you want to change as well), click on SAVE and your topic will reappear under the revised title. BP

[bsrosell]

Thanks Bob! that worked. Changed it both for my personal honor ;-) and also to help anyone searching for CAMBER posts in the future.