Welcome!
Thank you for your purchase of our SmartCamber tool with the SmartTool digital module. You are now the owner of what we believe is the best portable camber and caster measuring tool available on the market today. Both the occasional user and experienced race car tuner will appreciate the simplicity of the SmartCamber tool and its ability to give fast and easily duplicated results.

Thank you,
Craig Watkins

Please be sure to see the optional parts available to you later in this booklet.

Overview

The SmartCamber tool was designed to maximize its measuring potential over a wide variety of whee/tire combinations. Utilizing repeatable digital technology, the tool allows accurate measuring regardless of where the vehicle is or what angle surface it is on (up to 5 degrees from level). There is no misinterpretation with this tool because there are no bubbles or lines to subjectively read. The SmartTool module takes all of the guess work out of camber and caster measuring. Since there are nearly an infinite number of wheel and tire combinations, it was necessary to design a tool that would be quick and easy to use without complex adjustments.

The number one design premise was to allow camber and caster to be measured almost anywhere without removing hubcaps, lugnuts, or jacking the car off of the ground. Though it is basic in concept, the results are excellent. One fixed and one sliding standoff allows the owner to use the tool on almost any vehicle.

Calibration

Before your SmartCamber tool can be used, the module (new or used) must first be calibrated to itself, then to the frame. To calibrate the module, remove it from the frame by loosening and removing the large thumb screws on the back of the module. Once removed, reassemble the halves. Then turn to the back of this booklet and follow the procedures for calibrating in Level and Plumb (the calibration instructions are also on the back of the module itself). There is no reason to calibrate it for Overhead use unless you want to. When you have finished calibrating the module, reinstall it in the frame. Try to install it so the bottom of the module is resting against the edge of the folded edge of the frame and centered in the long oval slot. Tighten the thumb wheels until snug.

Now hold the tool on its long standoffs against a wall or some other flat vertical surface (that is within 5° of vertical). This can be done with or without the Hands-Free adapter installed). Turn the module off. Now, while holding the tool against the wall, push the calibrate button and simultaneously push the On/Off button. As the module comes on it will read "Cal 2" and then read 0° (zero degrees).

Now rotate the tool 9Q° and hold it against the same wall but on its short knurled feet. Note what the module reads. If it reads 90° your tool is calibrated and ready for use. If not, note which way the arrows in the display corners are pointing (they point in the direction the module has to rotate to get to 90°) and adjust the short knurled screws accordingly until the display reads 90° (you do not have to hold the tool against the wall while adjusting the screws). When the display reads 90°, the tool is properly calibrated and ready for use.

What Exactly Is Camber?

The inclination of the wheels from true vertical is commonly referred to as "Camber". Read as either positive or negative. Positive Camber: As viewed from the rear, the tops of the tires are further apart than the bottom (very uncommon). Negative Camber: As viewed from the rear, the wheels are closer at the tops than at the bottom (very common).

Camber Measuring

1. Hold the SmartCamber tool against the wheel you are going to measure at the twelve and six o'clock position. Adjust the sliding standoff so it touches the wheel face near the edges (if the wheel has a curved face, at the top of the wheel, put a piece of racer's tape with a dot on it so you will always measure from the same location). Be sure the frame itself is not touching the tire.
2. Now place the tool on its short feet with the long standoffs facing the wheel you are going to measure.
3. Reset or Zero the module.

   Zero Reset Instructions: The following is known as Zero Reset and must be committed to memory. You will use this feature many times and it is not included in the module's instructions. Put the SmartCamber tool on its short feet and beside the wheel you want to measure. Turn the module off. Hold the Calibrate button down and simultaneously press the On/Off button. The module will read "Cal 2" then read O°. The tool is now Reset or Zeroed to where you are. This means that it sees the angle the vehicle is sifting on as Zero.

4. Hold the tool against the wheel you want to measure. The displayed reading is the camber angle. No adding or subtracting, no lines to approximate - just true camber angle!

   Note: As with any tool the more you use it, the easier it is to use. The SmartCamber tool is no exception.

What Exactly Is Caster?

Simply put, the caster angle is the inclination of the imaginary line the spindle pivots around. The caster angle creates forces that result in the following:
First, they (the forces) return the wheels to the center-steer position after aturn is made.
Second, they make the vehicle track straighter and more predictably.
Third, they increase or decrease the camber gain of the wheel, as it turns, to help maximize the traction potential of the tire.

Caster Measuring

Caster is calculated by measuring the camber angle in two different positions, then putting those measurements into a simple formula. To measure caster, do the following, but be sure to take your time the first few times you do it.

1. Start with the left front wheel.
2. Place the layout template sheet (included) on the floor and use chaik (or paint for permanent marking) to scribe lines that are about a foot longer than the template. Then remove the template and connect the lines as on the template.
3. Roll the car until the front wheel is on the centerline (CL) axis and parallel to the Z axis.
4. Turn the steering wheel until the left front wheel is parallel to the Z axis
5. Use a stiff piece of cardboard approximately 7" x l8" as a "plane" reference template (flat sheet metal is better), carefully put the plane on the Z axis line and carefully lean the template against the tire. If it touches the tire evenly, then the wheel is turned 2O°.

   Note: If you cannot turn your wheels 20', determine the angle you can turn both wheels. Note that number and use the multiplication factor on the following page. The procedure does not change, however.

6. Measure the camber angle in this position and note it.
7. Steer the wheel back through the center-steer position and parallel to the Y axis. Repeat the plane template alignment method.
8. Measure the camber angle in this position and note it.
9. Calculate the caster angle using The following example:
   If both measurements are negative then Subtract:
   

   Example: -3 -1 Equals     2 Multiply 2 by 1.5 = 3

   The wheel has 3° of caster.
   
   One negative and one positive, then Add:
   

   Example: -3 +1 Equals     4 Multiply 4 by 1.5 = 6

   The wheel has 6° of caster.
   
   lf both are positive, then Subtract:
   

   Example: +3 +1 Equals     2 Multiply 2 by 1.5 = 3

   The wheel has 3° of caster.
   
   
10. Make whatever adjustments are required and remeasure until you have the angle you want.
11. Repeat the same steps on the right front wheel.
12. Reset the toe. Any changes to the caster or camber angles will have changed the toe settings.

Multiplication Factors 20° = 1.5 15° = 2.0 10° = 3.0 Where does this factor come from? Multiply the angle by 2, find its SIN and then the inverse of the SIN.




Tech Note: It is helpful to put a temporary witness mark on the steering wheel hub to the steering column (with tape) so you always return to the same angle of reference. Also, zeroing the car is not necessary because you are only interested in the difference in the camber in the two positions.

Hands-Free Adapter

The Hands-Free adapter was developed to allow the SmartCamber tool to be attached to the wheel so as the suspension adjustments are made, the user can see the changes as they happen. Camber angles can be just as easily measured with or without the Hands-Free adapter in place; the performance of the tool is exactly the same. However, the tool will have to be recalibrated for one or the other.

Assembly

Unscrew the lower standoff (with the attached aluminum thumb wheel). Hook the adapter over the bottom lip of the SmartCamber frame and svwng the adapter up against the bottom on the frame. With the 8-32 screw provided, thread and tighten the screw into the Pemnut. Thread the long standoff Into the far ends of the adapter as illustrated.

Usage

Before the tool is used, be sure it is properly calibrated using the wall method. Once it is, do the following:


Note: Calibration with the Hands-Free adapter is the same as with just two standoffs, except the small knurled screws on the bottom will be in more extreme positions. To calibrate, see the instructions earlier in this booklet.

Hold the tool against the wheel. Place the two lower standoffs about a quarter of ah inch into the lip of the wheel. Loosen and slide the top standoff until it is in the same position on the wheel as the lower standoffs. Now rock the top of the tool out, pivoting it on the lower standoffs. Slide the top standoff up just a bit and tighten it. Rock the tool back into the wheel and lightly compress it so it will fit into the wheel (the frame is very strong and unless you are a Gorilla, there will not be a problem bending it). After a few times, you will get the hang of it.

Tech Tip Small pieces of Racer's tape placed where the pins contact the wheel will help protect the wheel finish. One of our customers suggested carburetor vacuum plugs, a great idea!

If you already know what the camber angle is and are simply making changes to it, note what the camber angle is and gently move the top standoff in and out until the display reads the prerecorded setting, say for example 1.5°. Then dial in whatever changes you want and watch the settings change. Awesome!

If you are measuring the wheel angle for the first time, calibrate the tool with the adapter in place, put the tool (on its short feet) on the surface the vehicle is on and Reset the module to Zero. Then hold the tool against the wheel, letting the standoffs touch the outside surface of the wheel and record the settings. It's that simple!

Tips & Suggestions

1. Keeping a log book for your car is a great idea. Noting all important race information and suspension settings and how they worked is a time saver. The next time you are setting up your car to run at the same track, you can reference those past settings and dial them in.
Sometimes the long standoffs are not long enough for certain fender shapes and configurations. We do have longer standoffs available for you to order, or can make you custom length ones.
2. On many cars, there is a location that is level and true to the car. This location, if found, works great for "zeroing the module" to the plane the vehicle is sitting on. This surface needs to run across from the right side to the left side, not the lengt of the car front to rear.
3. Practice using your SmartCamber tool, the more you use it, the faster and easier it will be to make changes.
4. The SmartTool module is very sensitive. When measuring any angle, wait 3-5 seconds for the reading to stabilize.
5. Some wheels have more run-out than others and give you erroneous camber readings. To correct for this error, mark the top and bottom of the wheel. Measure in that position. Spin the wheel half a turn and remeasure. Take the average of those two readings and that will be your true wheel angle.

Options

Besides the Hands-Free adapter, please note the following:

Pro 3600 module; it has a RS-232 serial port connector and an Alternate Zero setting feature. Use part #1006, sells for $299.00

For Customer Service or Technical Support Call 1.800.363.0808 Monday Thru Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Pacific Standard Time or Fax 416.3638284 24 hours SmartCamber, SmartProducts, SmartTool and SmartLevel are registered trademarks copyright 1991 rev. 4/97 SmartProducts is a division of Robertson Precision, Inc. 2971 Spring Street Redwood City, CA 94083 USA Part #1077B