rear end alignment

JML99 · Post by **JML99** » 26 Feb 2012, 18:19

Hi Guys,
I've been here for a few things. I have a 94 850 base, that is wearing tires in the rear on the inside. I have had the rear end aligned and the guy said he wasn't able to get the camber corrected completely because the adjustment was maxed out. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 26 Feb 2012, 19:54

There is no rear camber adjustment on an 850 beyond either slamming it sideways into a curb or doing something radical with the springs. What kind of camber numbers did he come up with and what kind of toe in numbers did he have? Rear toe in is adjustable on an 850.

...Lee

JML99 · Post by **JML99** » 26 Feb 2012, 20:26

He had -.60 on rear right and -.15 on left rear. I've had people say the car crabs from behind. I purchased the car used, and am not aware of any damage or rear suspension work

Post by **MoVolvos** » 27 Feb 2012, 04:15

JML99 wrote:He had -.60 on rear right and -.15 on left rear. I've had people say the car crabs from behind. I purchased the car used, and am not aware of any damage or rear suspension work

Can you provide the before alignment specs on the sheet the mechanic gave you and the following:

1) Toe and Camber front and rear and whether it is in degrees or inches? Please indicate driver's or passenger side specs instead of left or right unless you are calling it out looking directly at the alignment sheet he provided and in that case please indicate.
2) Which inner edge is wearing more driver's or passenger side?
3) Is the edge wear a straight Wedge wear or feathering?

It could be a toe problem rather than camber if the spec you provided are in degrees. The 1995 Spec below should be about the same as 1994. Anything more or less of the Max and Min of the 1995 tolerances you'll start seeing excessive tire wear or the characteristics of the car will drive funny. There are Camber Kits (Bolts) for the front and the rear May just Maybe can be adjusted with a shim kit between the axle and spindle/back plate. Very few places or guys are good at this if it can be done at all on the Volvos.

Wheel Alignment Specification and Procedures 1995 850
http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/tech/servic ... edures.pdf

olvo S40 V40 C70 960 850 GLT camber kit CAM BOLT 12MM - Can get them anywhere Moog is one good brand
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Volvo-S40-V40-C ... vi-content

Looking at the rear suspension and the Spindle below there could be a shim kit for Camber
http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/tech/servic ... ension.pdf

93-97 Volvo 850 R Turbo Rear Spindle Hub Assembly Left
http://www.ebay.com/itm/93-97-Volvo-850 ... 0466065463

Blessings,

BKM

JML99 · Post by **JML99** » 27 Feb 2012, 07:20

I talked to the shop and here are the numbers

left rear camber -1.0 degree before and after
toe -.19 degrees before and -.03 degrees after

right rear camber .-2 degrees before and after
toe -1.12 degrees before and -.7 degrees after
\
He also said the adjustment was maxed out in the slots

Post by **JRL** » 27 Feb 2012, 08:30

Toe is all frack up
Camber is not that bad

Post by **MoVolvos** » 27 Feb 2012, 12:21

Hi JML99,

Please let me know about your tire wear as mentioned in my post. Taking an educated guess and assuming that right is passenger side the passenger rear tire is wearing out more than the driver's side rear. Normally with (-) Toe the outer edges would wear out but because there is also (-) Camber it is going to wear the inner edge out. My guess it that the previous person is prone to rubbing or bumping the curb when parking and this occurred too many times.

First check to see that all the bushings and parts are in good order and after that the only option is to find a body shop who can bend the trailing or transverse arm back to spec or find a alignment shop who can potentially shim the rear spindle to axle on the trailing arm. Hope this helps. Alignment is like your teeth or a thorn in the flesh as a small imperfection can cause big annoying problems.

Blessings,

BKM

JML99 · Post by **JML99** » 27 Feb 2012, 19:03

Hey BKM,

You're correct the right rear passenger tire is wearing lots faster than the driver side. The tires tend to feather with the passenger side a lot faster. I have only 15k-20k-on rear with all wear on inside edge. Good buddy is indy and damn good guy, we can tackle any suggestions

JML99 · Post by **JML99** » 27 Feb 2012, 19:06

the wear is on the inside edge, hardly any wear at all on the outer edge

Post by **jblackburn** » 27 Feb 2012, 19:28

I'm guessing that wheel was slammed into a curb as mentioned above. I hit something at just 5 mph on ice and it twisted it a bit.

Either the trailing arm or axle is probably bent. The axle can be shimmed (worked great on mine) or the trailing arm replaced. The first one would have to be something that's done by a dedicated alignment/body shop. Either way, you will have to have the alignment re-done or it will chew up tires - quickly.