Alignment Question

[pp270]

I just changed out the front struts on my 2000 Alero and have been advised that a front end alignment should be done to make sure the camber is adjusted properly. Does anyone know if the camber adjustment is in the lower strut bolts on the 2000 Alero?

[jr6078]

I can't tell you positively that the adjustment is there, but the alignment on the Alero is unquestionably tied to the front struts, as it is with most front wheel drives. Any time you replace the front struts, you should have the alignment checked. I'd rather spend $50 bucks having an alignment done than $300 on front tires. Once your tires start to wear unevenly or become cupped due to misalignment, there's no way to correct the uneven wear or cupping.

[pp270]

Thanks for the recommendation on the alignment. I will most likly pursue this route.

Does anyone know for sure if the lower strut mounting bolts are the camber adjustment on the Alero? I am told they make ecentric bolts which allows you to simply rotate the bolts to adjust the camber. If I know the Alero has these I can make sure the service person checks this when performing the alignment. Some garages were talking about drilling out the mounting holes (high labor) in order to adjust. This wouldn't be necessary if I had ecentric bolts.

[jr6078]

I read today that the camber is adjusted by elongating the front lower strut mounting holes. Eccentric bolts would definitely be preferrable if you can get them. Did you have any luck getting some?

[dre05142000]

[quote=dre05142000]i would have the align checked some struts now already are elongated to provide camer adjustment if they are elongated there is no need for eccentric bolts that would only make the techs life easier no need to do that

[pp270]

The holes weren't slotted so they would have to be drilled out for adjustment. I had an alignment done after changing out the struts and I was told the camber adjustment was fine. So I havn't messed with it since.

The mechanic didn't think the existing bolts were eccentric. Can anyone confirm this on a 2000 GLS it is always nice to have a 2nd opinion.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by pp270

Thanks for the recommendation on the alignment. I will most likly pursue this route.

Does anyone know for sure if the lower strut mounting bolts are the camber adjustment on the Alero? I am told they make ecentric bolts which allows you to simply rotate the bolts to adjust the camber. If I know the Alero has these I can make sure the service person checks this when performing the alignment. Some garages were talking about drilling out the mounting holes (high labor) in order to adjust. This wouldn't be necessary if I had ecentric bolts.

There is no camber adjustment on the Alero per se, only front or rear
toe in/out. To the best of my knowledge the two bolts that hold the strut to the steering knuckle on the lower control arm are not eccentric in design. There may be very minor slop adjustment but nothing significant.

We put in aftermarket struts last year on our Alero GL2 which has the same suspension as the GLS model. The alignment verification came out fine.

However, there are aftermarket camber adjustment kits available for the Alero. SPC makes one. Basically it is an adjustable ball joint on a slider plate. Some kits allow up to +/- 1.75 degrees and another up to +/- 4.0 degrees. These are nice if you want to install a suspension lowering kit, etc. The 4.0 kit includes a new lower control arm assembly with an adjustable ball joint for camber.

Hope the info helps. Good luck!

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by bnaylor3400

There is no camber adjustment on the Alero per se, only front or rear
toe in/out. To the best of my knowledge the two bolts that hold the strut to the steering knuckle on the lower control arm are not eccentric in design. There may be very minor slop adjustment but nothing significant.

We put in aftermarket struts last year on our Alero GL2 which has the same suspension as the GLS model. The alignment verification came out fine.

However, there are aftermarket camber adjustment kits available for the Alero. SPC makes one. Basically it is an adjustable ball joint on a slider plate. Some kits allow up to +/- 1.75 degrees and another up to +/- 4.0 degrees. These are nice if you want to install a suspension lowering kit, etc. The 4.0 kit includes a new lower control arm assembly with an adjustable ball joint for camber.

Hope the info helps. Good luck!

Additional info:

The slop adjustment mentioned above consists of the bottom bolt hole of the lower part of the strut being elongated. The bottom part of the strut mounts to the steering knuckle riding on the ball joint. I inspected the OEM Delco strut we had replaced.