After toe, camber is the second most important suspension geometry angle affecting tire wear and fuel economy. If the camber is set incorrectly, the tire will lean too far in or out, and wear unevenly on one side of the tread. The tire will also plow while cornering, causing a feathery edge to be worn into the tread. With the right tools, you can check and properly set the camber on your Nissan D21 truck.
Raise the hood. Lift the front end of the truck by placing the jack under the front cross member until there is sufficient clearance under the front tires to place the alignment pads under the wheels. Lower the truck onto the alignment pads, remove the jack and pull the locking pins on the alignment pads.
Insert the thin edge of the hub cap tool or lug iron between the hub cap and wheel and twist, if the wheel has a hub cap. Repeat this process around the edge of the wheel until the hubcap can be removed. Place the camber gauge on the hub and read the camber angle. If the reading is too far positive, move the upper control arm inward. If it is too far negative, move the control arm outward.
Loosen the two bolts securing the upper control arm to the frame. To move the control arm outward (add positive camber), insert an equal number of shims on both bolts between the frame and control arm. To move the control arm inward (add negative camber), remove an equal number of and thickness of shims from both bolts. These bolts can most easily be accessed from the engine compartment.
Tighten the bolts. Check the camber reading and adjust as necessary until the reading falls within specifications for your year truck. Torque the control arm bolts to between 80 and 100 foot-pounds.
Remove the gauge, reinstall the hubcap and repeat Steps Two through Four for the other side.
