Noob suspension question

Ok, Im new to suspension work, but am doing an overhaul of my 91 MR2 Turbo, as it has, what I assume, is the original suspension pieces.

Ball joints, bushings, struts, strut mounts etc

One thing I picked up (well 4 of) are camber bolts to have adjustable camber so when i have it aligned they can set it up the way many on the MR2 boards have recommended.

But WHERE do these things go?

I know, a simple question to you all, but this is a new aspect of modifying a car to me

Not intimately familiar with MR2 suspension, but if it is like anything else I've put camber bolts in, they replace the bolts that hold the strut to the knuckle.

NickD said:

Not intimately familiar with MR2 suspension, but if it is like anything else I've put camber bolts in, they replace the bolts that hold the strut to the knuckle.

Camber bolts as Nick says are typically used at the knuckle where it joins the strut.  Usually they are just smaller diameter bolts to allow some adjustment in static camber.  They are also sometimes called "crash bolts" because they are used to correct the alignment without replacing slightly out-of-true parts from mild collision damage.

Paging JG, paging JG. 

Yeah, as the previous posters have said, the camber bolts go in the holes where the knuckle attaches to the strut.

But... the way they allow the camber to adjust is that the diameter of the bolts is smaller than the holes, allowing the knuckle and strut to be reattached at various angles. So, without the bolts limiting the lateral movement of the knuckle anymore, the interface relies solely on clamping force to stay in place. Because of this, make sure you take some steps to ensure there's no loss of clamping force in the interface. Some Nord-Lock washers and a little blue Loctite might be a good plan.

And, from what I read, only use one per strut, correct? Top or bottom preferred?

I can't tell you about MR2s, but in the my Neon days you could use 2 per side to allow more adjustment, in both top and bottom knuckle positions.

Also back in the day, to help with the clamping force, people would squirt them with a shot of spray paint in a contrasting color before final tightening on the nuts.  Once it dried it not only helped tighten up the joint but made it obvious if they slipped.

hybridmomentspass said:

And, from what I read, only use one per strut, correct? Top or bottom preferred?

Usually the top is preferred, running 2 in the same knuckle is risky and often specifically advised against.

Thank you!

Had to order tie rod ends today, mine were split and leaking grease, so Im beginning to button things up but it'll be a few days before it's all here and Im done