Chrysler Repair: Rear Suspension Adjustment: Cirrus/Stratux, minor scratches, chrysler cirrus

Question
How can I adjust the alignment of the rear tire on a 1995 Chrysler Cirrus LXI? Recently someone backed into the Driver side of my car just over the driver side rear tire, there was no apparent damage to the body other than minor scratches. However I noticed the next day that the driver rear tire was rubbing against the spring (it was not like this before).
Thanks
Daniel

Answer
Hi Daniel,
Fortunately there is some adjustment possible for the camber angle of the rear wheels. Each wheel is adjusted independently of the other side. If you look at the rear suspension on the left side you will see two lateral rods (called 'links') that are attached to the front and rear of the knuckle. These links are adjustable in length by means of a rod with left and right handed threads about mid-length of the limk which rotates and will either shorten or lengthen the link when you rotate it. It is held in place by two jamb-nuts, one right- the other left-hand threaded. The accetable camber tilt is -0.6 to +0.2 degrees. Note that the toe-in of the wheel is also changed by changing the lengths of the link differentially. The toe should be between .05 degrees out to .15 in. The preferred camber is -0.2 degrees, the preferred toe is .05 in.  The term '- camber', means the top of the wheel is tilted toward the car compared to the bottom of the wheel. As it stands you have too much - camber.
I suspect something was bent to cause the movement that you observe. So I would inspect the parts to see what it might be. If it looks to be safe, then see if you can change the camber by adjusting the lengths (in your case making them shorter since the top of the tire has tilted toward the body and now touches the spring) of the front and rear trailing links an equal amount which will preserve the toe as it stands, but that toe may also have been changed by the accident. I would see how the car drives and then watch for uneven wear of the tire if it seems to drive safely. Or take it to an alignment shop and let them reset the suspension on that side and check for damage.
Roland
PS Please 'rate' my answer.