Anyone tried these camber plates?

[Johnson]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Camber-Plates-BMW-2002-3D-Drift-for-stock-or-coilover-Domlager-blue-/321096525898?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4ac2d8284a&vxp=mtr

I found these on ebay, anyone try them yet? It seems like a really good price, not much more than stock strut mounts. I would only be worried about getting the alignment dialed in right and longevity on a street car. My apologies if these have been discussed already.

-Jake

[Tommy]

No experience but they look really nice for the price. I guess they are all steel which would make them quite heavy (issue only for serious racers).

Tommy

[NickVyse]

no mention or pic of the bearing.

[c.d.iesel]

-=Like=-

nice - Caster & Camber adjustments

but no insulation from urethane or rubber

Solid metal/bearing mounting

[Johnson]

What does that mean for me? Just a bit more harsh ride?

I may give these a shot. I need new springs, and I`m gonna need new strut mounts anyway, so why not? I would rather do it all at once and be done.

[BLUNT]

What does that mean for me? Just a bit more harsh ride?

I may give these a shot. I need new springs, and I`m gonna need new strut mounts anyway, so why not? I would rather do it all at once and be done.

How much camber can you actually get with stock springs? I cant imagine much before youre into the shock tower. Id like to run these on my E12 if they are decent. Please report back if you get them

[M3M3M3]

agree. can't get much camber unless you go to 2.5in springs instead of the huge stock ones.

also wonder how you get caster adjustment with these things. there is no front to back movement, just that odd rotational slot thing. to get caster, camber would have to be sacrificed. not very effective. i am not impressed with these at all.

[Chamonix72]

What does that mean for me? Just a bit more harsh ride?

I may give these a shot. I need new springs, and I`m gonna need new strut mounts anyway, so why not? I would rather do it all at once and be done.

How much camber can you actually get with stock springs? I cant imagine much before youre into the shock tower. Id like to run these on my E12 if they are decent. Please report back if you get them

Especially since E12 strut mounts cost an arm and both legs. In fact, it's damn near cheaper to buy KMacs.

[AceAndrew]

x2 I am a bit surprised that someone would actually consider these. This is a universal kit badged as "2002 specific", it would physically fit on the car, but nearly every technical point would be a compromise (and is priced accordingly).

Objectively, I am not against against these plates, just want to help someone make an informed decision. (saying "it sucks" or "it's bad" is relative).

-Need info on that spherical bearing. (size/quality)

-Is there even a needle-bearing/thrust washer with upper spring perch? No? Expect much heavier steering feel and spherical bearing wearing out much more quickly (say 1k-5kish depending on bearing)

-How much camber possible even with 2.5" springs? (FYI: 5" stock springs on a 2002 are limited to about 5/8-1 degree)

- From a design point of view the slotted mounting area is largely an attempt to make the plates more universal (for fitting cars using the same bolt pattern, just at different angles in the fender sheet metal). As Marshall put it, caster would come as the sacrifice of camber (again think compromised).

[williamggruff]

-=Like=-

nice - Caster & Camber adjustments

but no insulation from urethane or rubber

Solid metal/bearing mounting

I have no affiliation with these parts, but it appears the spherical bearing is surrounded by a blue material, which I would assume would be either rubber or urethane. The KMAC Stage 2 camber/caster plates have a similar setup, with the spherical bearing surrounded by urethane.

A few notes on the KMAC Stage 2 setup, which I currently have on my car, and am going to replace with Ireland camber plates in the coming weeks when I convert to coil overs.

1. They're not a direct bolt-in for a 2002. I was apparently the Guinea pig, and it took me several months of discussions and testing of various components before I could get them to mount correctly in my car. And by "correctly", I mean "adequately." They're simply not a good fit, even with the custom components provided by KMAC.

2. The KMAC camber/caster plates don't come with a needle thrust bearing or other bearing, as do the Ireland camber plates (and presumably the Ground Control camber/caster plates.) Steering effort is increased, as are vibration and road noise. When you hit a bump in the road, you KNOW it.

3. As Marshall and AceAndrew point out, camber/caster plates with stock springs are nearly pointless. I was able to achieve just shy of 1 degree negative camber, with a touch of caster. If you try to get more camber, your spring hat will rub against the inner fender wall, and your steering will be very sticky--don't try this, and don't ask me how I know.

If you're bound and determined to install adjustable camber/caster plates with stock springs/struts, I suggest you also install lower camber kickouts to increase your camber to more like 2 degrees negative. Massive sells them, as do some vendors on eBay.

[M3M3M3]

for reference, using lee's lower offset mounts moved the bottom of the strut 16m out. this is good for only 0.6 deg more camber. i measured it....

[Johnson]

And this is exactly why I asked here! I wouldn`t have caught all these things myself, having no experience with suspension tuning.

I will have some sort of lowering spring on the car, probably 1.25". I really want them more to be able to align it some, rather than to dial in a massive amount of camber. I may go lower in the future as well. I think I`ll ask if there is another bearing.

[Johnson]

The seller just got back with me on my questions. You guys were spot on in tearing these apart. There is no insulator for the bearing(rubber or otherwise), and it IS the only bearing.....

Looks like I won`t be giving these a go. Thanks for the help fellows

-Jake