Ground Control Camber Plates DIY. and some other pictures. Check it out! (56k If you want)

[Boxy Squad]

Well I have PSS-9 Coilovers. I did not get them for looks but for handleing. Well Since I wanted a little more shock travel I looked for some camber plates. Well Ground Control decided to help me out and test some out and i got them for 250 bux and with alot of spare parts. But in the last Month that I have had theis, they are perfect and very strong.

After you install theis you can now adjust Camber and Caster

Approx time to install was 40min.

Sorry for the cell phone pictures.

Well here it is.

This is what the plates look like!

This is what it looks like apart

Now. Jack the car up. Take of the wheels (if you want. you dont have too)
With a Air Gun and a 21mm socket take off the top nut (do it in bursts)

The off the next nut. Same size, same way (in bursts)

Take out the Bushing and coilover cap

Put the ground control spring top on.

Zip Tie it to the spring through the hole given

OK. put the other two pieces on top of the spring cap.

Try to align the bottom piece to the top by useing the 4 screews

Then put the last piece on and tie it how with the black screw

Now put the 4 screws in. Leave them a little loose so you can adjust the camber.

Put one single nut back on and gun it down (also in bursts)

down
Now since the shock nut is on and everything is in place you can tighten down the black screw. After that you can set your camber at whatever you want. And then tiighten down the screws

Put the wheels back on. lower the car back down. Go for a long drive then come back and have a Cold One!

By the way the wheels are for sale. http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2452682

The Beast....lol

Modified by WiLd StAr at 10:28 AM 2-17-2006


Modified by WiLd StAr at 3:52 PM 5-15-2006

[GTI337DUB]

pretty nice i want some

[secretaznman]

Nice
I have had mine on for a couple of weeks now and I love them.

[TheGreasyJap]

Veeeery interesting! I've been looking at the H20 sport spindles for a while, but they're also 625 US. Do these correct the lower roll center all the way? Do you notice the handling changing significantly? The reason I ask is because I've heard that camber plates don't correct our suspension geometry back to stock when we've installed coil-overs.

TIA

PS. The beast looks hot

[WannaRaddo]

sweet write up... i reported it to the mods to be added to the DIY/FAQ

ps... how are you likin the GHL CAI i traded to you

[shotofgmplease]

i love the pic at the end....

[20V-Turbo]

Nice write up.
I don't have a problem with the front, but I do have a little camber problem with my right rear wheel. Is there anything I can do for the back wheels?
Thanks

[Munchaen]

i actually have the same issue....my toe is off like 2 degrees on my right rear tire

[DiB]

Cool beans.

[TheGreasyJap]

bump

[redwe-in-wi]

I highly advise against using the impact to tighten the strut-top nut. Over-tightening will result in premature bearing failure.

[cchen1]

Quote, originally posted by TheGreasyJap »

Veeeery interesting! I've been looking at the H20 sport spindles for a while, but they're also 625 US. Do these correct the lower roll center all the way? Do you notice the handling changing significantly? The reason I ask is because I've heard that camber plates don't correct our suspension geometry back to stock when we've installed coil-overs. TIA PS. The beast looks hot

Camber plates will not correct your lower roll center. All they do is tilt in (or out, forward or back) the top of your struts, allowing for camber (and caster) changes. From what I understand, the roll center has to do with ride height, which affects the angle of the front control arms.

If anything, the GC plates will actually give you a slightly lower ride height. After I installed mine, my ride height had decreased a little (without playing with the spring perches), since the GC camber plates are slightly thinner (shorter) than the OE rubber strut mount bushings. I had to wind up my perches quite a bit to get to the same ride height I had before I installed my camber plates.

[Boxy Squad]

Quote, originally posted by shotofgmplease »

i love the pic at the end....

Thanx

[Boxy Squad]

Quote, originally posted by 20V-Turbo »

Nice write up. I don't have a problem with the front, but I do have a little camber problem with my right rear wheel. Is there anything I can do for the back wheels? Thanks

I dont know. I dont seem to have a problem with it

[Boxy Squad]

Quote, originally posted by cchen1 »

Camber plates will not correct your lower roll center. All they do is tilt in (or out, forward or back) the top of your struts, allowing for camber (and caster) changes. From what I understand, the roll center has to do with ride height, which affects the angle of the front control arms. If anything, the GC plates will actually give you a slightly lower ride height. After I installed mine, my ride height had decreased a little (without playing with the spring perches), since the GC camber plates are slightly thinner (shorter) than the OE rubber strut mount bushings. I had to wind up my perches quite a bit to get to the same ride height I had before I installed my camber plates.

Its better that they Lower becouse you have to raise the coilovers up. This gives you more shock travel

[TheGreasyJap]

Quote, originally posted by cchen1 »

Camber plates will not correct your lower roll center. All they do is tilt in (or out, forward or back) the top of your struts, allowing for camber (and caster) changes. From what I understand, the roll center has to do with ride height, which affects the angle of the front control arms. If anything, the GC plates will actually give you a slightly lower ride height. After I installed mine, my ride height had decreased a little (without playing with the spring perches), since the GC camber plates are slightly thinner (shorter) than the OE rubber strut mount bushings. I had to wind up my perches quite a bit to get to the same ride height I had before I installed my camber plates.

That's pretty much what I thought. Ohwell, I'll keep saving up for the spindles!

[secretaznman]

I went with the camber plates because I am not too sure that I want to pay the extra dough for the spindles as of yet.
The GC plates are quality pieces and are priced reasonably. Although they don't correct the geometry problem, like mentioned above, shock travel is increased, and the increase in front end grip is very apparent. Before I had the plates, I had my car fairly low, and I was not to confident in it as I could feel the effects of the positive camber when taking turns. The camber plates and the resulting front end grip have restored my confidence in my car and its handling.

[TheGreasyJap]

Quote, originally posted by secretaznman »

I went with the camber plates because I am not too sure that I want to pay the extra dough for the spindles as of yet. The GC plates are quality pieces and are priced reasonably. Although they don't correct the geometry problem, like mentioned above, shock travel is increased, and the increase in front end grip is very apparent. Before I had the plates, I had my car fairly low, and I was not to confident in it as I could feel the effects of the positive camber when taking turns. The camber plates and the resulting front end grip have restored my confidence in my car and its handling.

I'm glad they work well for you. My biggest gripe is the inside rear following the front roll mid corner; it's gotten to the point that the outside edges of the rear tires are wearing exessively, so I need to correct this geometry problem soon.

[Boxy Squad]

Quote, originally posted by TheGreasyJap »

I'm glad they work well for you. My biggest gripe is the inside rear following the front roll mid corner; it's gotten to the point that the outside edges of the rear tires are wearing exessively, so I need to correct this geometry problem soon.

Thats my problem also.

[Big Fundamental]

More rear tire pressure.

Wow, everyone must be really sensitive drivers. I took my basically stock MkIV to the auto-x and did fairly well (fourth in STS). The car didn't push ridiculously like I thought it would and all my tires had moderate wear on the sidewalls. I did have a bit of pressure but nothing crazy. The technique to control the cars tendency to roll is through left foot braking, trail braking and slow/smooth steering inputs. Also maintaining momentum and picking the right line.
It was my first race in the MkIV and given more seat time, there was definately more to gain, even with OEM suspension and tires.
Granted, camber is always helpful, but never neglect the driving technique.

[Boxy Squad]

Quote, originally posted by Big Fundamental »

More rear tire pressure. Wow, everyone must be really sensitive drivers. I took my basically stock MkIV to the auto-x and did fairly well (fourth in STS). The car didn't push ridiculously like I thought it would and all my tires had moderate wear on the sidewalls. I did have a bit of pressure but nothing crazy. The technique to control the cars tendency to roll is through left foot braking, trail braking and slow/smooth steering inputs. Also maintaining momentum and picking the right line. It was my first race in the MkIV and given more seat time, there was definately more to gain, even with OEM suspension and tires. Granted, camber is always helpful, but never neglect the driving technique.

Thats why some people say....."The driver makes the car"

[dcomiskey]

This is near the top of my list of upgrades. I would love to have these plates and a TT steering rack (I HATE the VW steering ratio....).

[Boxy Squad]

here you go

[Veedub_junky]

Nice DIY - used it for reference on my install

One note for the newer kits (since yours was apparently a test kit, correct?), they now come with bearing spacers, upper and lower. I had a problem securing the nuts at the top of the strut and had to leave the upper spacer off. Has anyone else had that problem, and does anyone know if that will cause an issue with the bearing life?

Also, if you change suspensions and spring diameters, you only need to replace the spring hat - costs about $15 each IIRC.

[Boxy Squad]

Quote, originally posted by Veedub_junky »

Nice DIY - used it for reference on my install One note for the newer kits (since yours was apparently a test kit, correct?), they now come with bearing spacers, upper and lower. I had a problem securing the nuts at the top of the strut and had to leave the upper spacer off. Has anyone else had that problem, and does anyone know if that will cause an issue with the bearing life? Also, if you change suspensions and spring diameters, you only need to replace the spring hat - costs about $15 each IIRC.

Well i run coilovers and the camber plates came with a coilover hat. u need to tell them what size hat you need and its included. As for the nut at the top i have no problem with it. What you see is what i got from ground control. Everything was perfect fit and nothing makes any noise or works wierd.

If you live in my are or go to the Starbux meet sunday nights on lawrence and ElCamino your more then wercome to try them out.

NOTE: On full camber the tire will hear out evenly across even tho its a 1.8degree camber

[Veedub_junky]

Quote, originally posted by WiLd StAr »

Well i run coilovers and the camber plates came with a coilover hat. u need to tell them what size hat you need and its included. As for the nut at the top i have no problem with it. What you see is what i got from ground control. Everything was perfect fit and nothing makes any noise or works wierd. If you live in my are or go to the Starbux meet sunday nights on lawrence and ElCamino your more then wercome to try them out. NOTE: On full camber the tire will hear out evenly across even tho its a 1.8degree camber

Here's what came in my kit a couple months ago - only differences is the spacers. For the pic, I left out the other plate and spring hat, but you get the idea..

Lawrence and El Camino - is that Natomas area? I used to live in Davis, but I'm not up there anymore. Maybe if I'm up visiting family some weekend I can try to make it out

[Boxy Squad]

Quote, originally posted by Veedub_junky »

Here's what came in my kit a couple months ago - only differences is the spacers. For the pic, I left out the other plate and spring hat, but you get the idea.. Lawrence and El Camino - is that Natomas area? I used to live in Davis, but I'm not up there anymore. Maybe if I'm up visiting family some weekend I can try to make it out

See i never got those spacers, And StarBux on sundays is in Santa Clara CA 95051

[H2O WERKS]

Where can I source a set?

[Boxy Squad]

Quote, originally posted by H2O WERKS »

Where can I source a set?

here you go. http://www.ground-control-stor...CA=88

[Sifu_Mike]

Nice!!! I have been looking for a set of Camber plates from GC. Glad to hear they make them for Dubs.

[secretaznman]

Contact Reflexgti instead. He will get you a better price.

[Boxy Squad]

did u install the plates yet

[ElevatedGaze]

this is a dope pic
nice write up too, +1 for a DIY sticky

[reflexgti]

Quote, originally posted by Veedub_junky »

Here's what came in my kit a couple months ago - only differences is the spacers. For the pic, I left out the other plate and spring hat, but you get the idea.. Lawrence and El Camino - is that Natomas area? I used to live in Davis, but I'm not up there anymore. Maybe if I'm up visiting family some weekend I can try to make it out

The bearing spacers are a very necessary part. You received the wrong spacers and that's the reason why you couldn't get the top nut back on. We'll have to get that fixed when you call in.

BTW. Let me know if you guys are interested in ordering. I can give you a small discount off the website price as well as knock off taxes for CA residents.

Steve

[Chico]

How much of a discount are we talking about? Autocross season is in full swing, and these would be helpful.