Can't get the rear camber adjusted.
 

Every time I've taken my 2003 Montero to the alignment shop, they never can get the camber adjusted to the specifications. Anyone had this problem? Possible cause/fix Thanks

Are you original owner? Have the vehicle been in an accident?

I've had the Montero since 2003. No accidents, but over the course of time, the rear end fails to get aligned. I sometimes wonder what's wearing out back there.

In that case some of the bushings on the rear arms wore out completely. You probably should take care of this sooner rather than later. Otherwise you will be looking at replacing lower or trailing arms instead of the bushings.

Didn't think about that! I'll check into that. Thanks!

Yes, check bushings, arms, ball joints, etc. If you don't find a problem, might even be the eccentric adjusters that could be worn. When aligning the rear, the camber needs to be adjusted prior to adjusting toe. If they are doing it backwards, then it could be an issue.

Factory Alignment Specs Are:

Camber: 0 Deg. with a tolerance of +/- 30 minutes per Wheel, Difference between right and left wheels settings, must not be +/- 30 minutes of each others reading.

Left Wheel Camber Adjustment: Turn eccentric adjuster clockwise for negative (-) adjustment.

Right Wheel Camber Adjustment: Turn eccentric adjuster clockwise for positive (+) adjustment.

Toe-In: 3 with a tolerance of +/- 3 mm (1/8")

Toe-In Adjustment: Same as with Camber.

UPPER ARM BALL JOINT END PLAY CHECK:

1. Raise the vehicle.

2. Move the upper arm up and down with your hands to check for an excessive play in the axial direction of the ball joint. If there is an excessive play, replace the upper arm ball joint.

TOE CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT END PLAY CHECK:

1. Raise the vehicle.

2. Move the toe control arm front and rear with your hands. If there is an excessive play, replace the toe control arm assembly.

BALL JOINT DUST COVER CHECK:

1. Inspect the dust cover for cracks or damage by pushing it with your finger.

2. If the dust cover is cracked or damaged, replace the upper arm ball joint assembly, toe control arm ball joint assembly or the stabilizer link.

NOTE: If the dust cover is cracked or damaged, it is possible that there may also be damage to the ball joint.

Thanks for the excellent guidance. My knowledge level of rear suspension is minimal, so with the information received, I'm thinking of going to shop, lift it and inspect looking for issues as outlined in this thread. Will advise when I accomplish the task. I would really like to keep this Montero. Purchased it new in 2003 and has been running, and currently have 223,000 miles on it and keeps running great!

I'm no mechanic, but had the same issue. The bushings were worn and the cam bolts were seized. I was also told that from the factory, the rears were alighed with slight tow in, which my local garage was trying to "correct". After much research, I found a local import place who had experience with this. They drilled out the old cam bolts, replaced them and the bushings and all was good. Thanks to Sports Car Clinic for my repair. Mine had gotten bad enough that it was snow plowing in the rear, killing my gas mileage and chewing up my tires...

Let us know what was causing the issue.

confirm repair action?
 

I'd like to know exactly what was worn that when replaced actually solved the issue. You get her done? I have two 2001s XLS and one started wearing the rear tires on only the inside tread abruptly and suddenly. Ate new tires down in about 6,000 miles, started showing belts, lol.

The bolts are not frozen and are not rusted frozen, so they are good. But a Honda dealer who tried to 4-wheel align it said that he couldn't get the rear camber to match up correctly. I'm wondering if they're ignorant or don't know the right specification.

The little dials with notches on both sides, can I look at those and make sense where they should be, loosen them up and tighten again, if my tires continue to wear?

Where can I buy rear camber bolts???
 

If previous posters are still following--where did you get your rear camber bolts?
I need a camber bolt and toe bolts. All are rusted out. They will have to be cut out and replaced but I can't find the bolts anywhere.
Anyone have a source?
I can't get the rear of the vehicle aligned at all until I get new bolts.

Bolts
 

I had the exact same issue with my 01 and now my 03 Montero, I had a trusted shop order them for me or contact a body shop you might know of cause most good ones will have the same book.

Montero alignment bolts
 

I've been through the gauntlet with rear wheel alignment issues on my 2001 Montero XLS. I almost sheet canned the truck since the local shop wanted $2,500 to fix it, but I did it myself for under $900. The rear camber and toe adjuster bolts were rusted and froze up on the lower control arms and also froze up on the upper toe control arms; preventing any rear wheel alignment or adjustment. I was eating up rear tires in 5-6K miles! I used a sawzall to cut off the old eccentric adjuster bolts (2 lowers and 2 uppers). I then had to replace all 4 control arms since they become unuseable once you cut off the eccentric adjuster bolts. You can order new replacement eccentric cam adjuster bolts off eBay for $6.95 each (free shipping). It's a FEBEST Alignment Cam Bolt, FEBEST Part # 0429-006 for the Rear Lower Control Arms (wheel camber adjustment bolt). If you need to order new replacement eccentric toe adjustment bolts, you need to order a FEBEST Alignment Cam Bolt, FEBEST Part # 0429-005 for the Rear Toe Control Arms. I found FEBEST Auto Parts to be an excellent source for OEM alignment bolts. They also sell the matching washers to go with the eccentric cam bolts for $6.95 each.

Possibly don't need to cut them
 

Mine were all frozen on my 2001 Montero. They didn't look very rusted but probably had Never been adjusted. I couldn't break them free with impact wrench and shop couldn't free them with 6' leverage bar.

I took it home after buying 3 cans of different penetration oils and began this process for 5 days:

Morning---
Tapped back and rear of bolts/nuts for about 30 seconds repeatedly, with a big wrench or small hammer.
Spray them. Tapped again.
Sprayed again.

Evening--
Repeated morning routine.

When I took it back the next week the tech said they all came loose easily. But...he still couldn't get it in spec because the bushings were too old and compressed. So be ready for that problem.