IMPROVING SUSPENSION AND ALIGNMENT WITH A CAMBER KIT FOR YOUR SUBARU

Improving Suspension and Alignment with a Camber Kit for Your Subaru

Improving Suspension and Alignment with a Camber Kit for Your Subaru

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Improving Suspension and Alignment with a Camber Kit for Your Subaru


When it comes to getting the most out of your Subaru—whether it’s a WRX tackling canyon roads, a BRZ hugging curves on a track, or an Outback outfitted for off-road adventure—suspension tuning is key. While upgrades like coilovers or sway bars are common go-to mods, a camber kit is often overlooked despite its ability to significantly improve handling, tire wear, and alignment precision.


In this article, we’ll explore how a camber kit can elevate your Subaru’s performance, why it’s essential for both street and sport driving, and how to install and dial one in properly. Subaru camber






What Is Camber, and Why Should Subaru Owners Care?


Camber refers to the vertical angle of your wheels when viewed from the front or rear of the vehicle. Negative camber means the top of the tire leans inward, while positive camber means it leans outward. Most cars, including Subarus, come from the factory with a slight amount of negative camber to enhance stability and tire contact during cornering.


However, that factory setup is often a compromise between performance, comfort, and tire longevity. Once you start modifying your suspension—like lowering your car or installing stiffer springs—the stock alignment settings may no longer be ideal. A camber kit allows you to correct or enhance your camber angles, giving you better grip and improved handling.






Why Install a Camber Kit on a Subaru?


1. Correcting Camber After Lowering


Lowering your Subaru is a common first mod. Whether it’s a WRX dropped on coilovers or a BRZ with lowering springs, reducing ride height alters the suspension geometry—usually resulting in excessive negative camber. While a little negative camber helps cornering, too much can lead to uneven tire wear and unpredictable handling. A camber kit lets you bring those angles back into spec or fine-tune them to your driving style.



2. Improved Cornering Performance


More aggressive camber angles—usually negative in the front and slightly less in the rear—help your tires maintain optimal contact with the road during hard cornering. This translates into more grip, faster turn-in, and increased confidence on twisty roads or at the track.



3. Better Tire Wear


Contrary to popular belief, a well-tuned camber setup can reduce uneven tire wear. Excessive camber—especially when uncorrected—can shred inner tire edges. With a camber kit, you can dial in optimal alignment that balances performance and longevity.



4. Tailored Alignment Settings


Camber kits allow precise alignment customization. Whether you’re daily driving, autocrossing, rallying, or tracking, you can tweak your setup for maximum efficiency and control.






Types of Camber Kits for Subarus


Depending on your Subaru model and goals, camber kits come in different forms:





  • Camber Bolts: These eccentric bolts replace the upper strut mounting bolts and allow for slight camber adjustment. They're affordable and great for mild corrections.




  • Adjustable Control Arms: Rear camber kits often involve swapping factory arms with adjustable ones. Perfect for fine-tuning.




  • Top Mount Camber Plates: Common in coilover setups, these allow camber adjustment directly at the strut top—ideal for track-focused Subarus.




  • Offset Bushings or Ball Joints: Sometimes used in the front for more extreme camber changes.




Each setup has its pros and cons, and your choice will depend on how much adjustability you need.






Installation Process (Example: Front Camber Bolts on a WRX)


Here’s a step-by-step example using front camber bolts, which are a popular option for WRX and BRZ owners looking to fine-tune alignment after lowering.



Tools and Materials:




  • Camber bolt kit (copyright, Whiteline, Eibach, etc.)




  • Jack and jack stands




  • Lug wrench




  • Torque wrench




  • Wrenches/sockets (typically 17mm and 19mm)




  • Alignment tool or a trusted alignment shop




1. Prep the Vehicle


Park on a flat surface, loosen the front lug nuts, jack up the car, and secure it with jack stands. Remove the front wheels.



2. Locate the Strut Mount Bolts


On the front suspension, find the two bolts connecting the strut to the steering knuckle. You'll be replacing the upper bolt with your camber bolt.



3. Remove and Replace the Bolt


Remove the top strut bolt. Insert the new camber bolt, positioning the eccentric washer according to the instructions. Make sure to install the bolt in the correct orientation for either increasing or decreasing camber.



4. Adjust Camber


Loosely tighten the bolt, then use the markings on the washer to adjust camber. Rotate the bolt to your desired setting—usually more negative camber if you've lowered the car.



5. Torque Everything Down


Once satisfied with the position, torque the bolt to spec (usually 76–89 ft-lbs for WRX models, but check your manual).



6. Reinstall Wheels and Lower the Car


Put the wheels back on and lower the car carefully.



7. Get a Professional Alignment


Unless you have alignment tools, head to an alignment shop. Tell them your desired specs—something like -1.5° front camber for spirited street driving, or -2.0° to -3.0° for track use.






Ideal Camber Settings for Subaru Models


These are rough starting points depending on your driving style:






























Use Case Front Camber Rear Camber
Daily Driving -0.5° to -1.0° -0.5°
Spirited Street -1.5° -1.0°
Track Days -2.5° to -3.0° -1.5° to -2.0°



Always balance camber with toe settings—excessive toe combined with aggressive camber is a tire killer.






Real-World Results


Subaru owners often report night-and-day differences in how their car handles after a camber kit install. Steering becomes more responsive, grip improves, and body roll is reduced. Combined with other suspension mods like sway bars or coilovers, a camber kit can unlock a whole new level of performance and precision.


Whether you’re canyon carving in a WRX or hitting apexes in a BRZ, getting the camber dialed in turns your Subaru into a sharper, more capable machine.






Final Thoughts


A camber kit might not be as flashy as a big wing or turbo upgrade, but it’s one of the smartest mods you can make—especially if you’ve already begun tuning your suspension. It not only improves performance and handling but also protects your investment in tires and suspension components.


For any Subaru enthusiast looking to strike the perfect balance between road comfort, aggressive driving, and alignment perfection, a camber kit is a must-have mod. The road (or track) is calling—make sure your suspension is ready to answer.

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