Rear camber fixed, alignment sheet, and ?? for experts.

[06NaviEX]

I just got my car back from Honda where they fixed the rear camber with the new upper arms (TSB 08-001). It took about 2 hours total and that included the alignment. I wanted to post up the alignment sheet to show the specs after the install and the alignment.

Front Left
Camber 0.3* - Spec -0.5* to 0.5*
Caster 6.2* - Spec 6.0* to 8.0*
Toe 0.06* - Spec -0.08* to 0.08*

Front Right
Camber 0.1* - Spec -0.5* to 0.5*
Caster 6.3* - Spec 6.0* to 8.0*
Toe 0.05* - Spec -0.08* to 0.08*

Rear Left
Camber -0.6* - Spec -2.3* to -0.4*
Toe 0.07* - Spec 0.04* to 0.16*

Rear Right
Camber -0.8* - Spec -2.3* to -0.4*
Toe 0.09* - Spec 0.04* to 0.16*

You don't need to worry about not having stock tires or wheels. I just told them that my tires are always wearing out on the inside and I have to rotate way to often. In fact, the service guy commented on my wheels and tires. All they cared about was if the car was lowered on springs or coilovers, and if it was still under factory warranty.

Now, my question for the experts is; since I have almost no rear camber, what do you think would happen if I were to drop it now about 1 inch? Would I still need to get Skunk2 or SPC camber arms, or would it just move a little more negative (back close to -1.5*)?

I'm glad they did a 4 wheel alignment as part of the TSB, because my front and rear toe were way out of spec. That is probably where I was getting most of my wear from.

Thanks in advance,
Brian

BTW - I'm running my stock EX swaybar up front, and the Si swaybar out back.

[HondaLifer]

Just had the modified control arm kit installed by Honda per TSB 08-001.
I have an '07 2-door EX.
Here are my alignment specs now:

Front Left
Camber -0.3* - Spec -0.5* to 0.5*
Caster 6.5* - Spec 6.0* to 8.0*
Toe 0.01* - Spec -0.08* to 0.08*

Front Right
Camber -0.3* - Spec -0.5* to 0.5*
Caster 6.5* - Spec 6.0* to 8.0*
Toe -.02* - Spec -0.08* to 0.08*

Rear Left
Camber -1.4* - Spec -2.3* to -0.4*
Toe 0.05* - Spec 0.04* to 0.16*

Rear Right
Camber -1.5* Spec -2.3* to -0.4*
Toe 0.08 - Spec 0.04* to 0.16*

Steer Ahead: .02* , Spec -.05*to .05*
Thrust Angle -.01*


Previously with the faulty control arms, my rear camber settings in the rear wheels were -2.0 (rear left) and -2.6 (rear right). (Rear Right was out of spec). With the original control arms, the rear wheels were very skittish on bumpy pavement and in snow/rain conditions (people in forums have referred to this as the "bump-stop" problem that is hard to prove to the dealer). The modified control arm kit in TSB 08-001 corrects that problem, the rear wheels are much more stable now and the car feels on lot safer in inclement weather and bumpy pavement. I don't carry cargo or passengers in my car normally, so my OE Bridgestones probably weren't as badly worn as some of the people that have filed complaints, but they were still cupping on the inner edge and were very noisy and harsh riding. HUGE improvement in how the car handles and performs now that modified rear control arms are installed. The difference was noticable right away, the ride is a lot smoother and the car handles remarkably now (I didn't know what I was missing all this time).

Last week I purchased new tires to replace those horrible OE Bridgestones. I went with a set of the new Cooper CS4 Touring and let me tell you, it's an excellent choice for this car (or any car for that matter). Very quiet tires, responsive, good traction in all conditions, got to test them in snow/ice the other day and they did exceptionally well. Probably the best tire I have ever owned.

I think we are in the early stages of a huge movement of Civic owners coming forward with this rear camber problem. The 06-07 Civics are finally aging to the point where the problem exhibits itself in tire wear. Think of how many cars this affects! This is a rare miss for Honda.

[ojefferyo]

is this tsb just for the EX or is it for all 2007?

[liquidr1]

Its for all civics except Si

[n6ac]

My 2006 with 24k miles is at the dealer today for the rear control arm fix.
The rear tire wear was truly amazing, and potentially dangerous.
What I am having trouble understanding is how the new control arm is supposed to prevent this from recurring.
Are there any knowledgeable mechanical folks out there in the forum?
Seems to me that ANY shape of the control arm still merely connects the two end points in a given arc. But perhaps the angle of rotation is different, if the mounts are at a revised angle?
...Al

[nelsonr31]

The control arm should be a little bit longer that's all.

[pks17]

Why does the alignment specs vary after having the new arms replaced?
My rear camber is -2 and -1.3 left and right ,
while yours was -1.4 and -1.5, while the first guys was -.6 and -.8
whats up with that?

[jd06lx]

Do you guys think they would fix mine since I'm out of warranty?
My rear tires are bald on the inside edges.. If not I wonder how much the parts are?