Negative Camber
An alignment setting where the top edge of the tire tilts inward toward the center of the vehicle.
Negative camber is a wheel alignment specification where the top of the wheel tilts inward toward the centerline of the vehicle, when viewed from the front or rear. Some degree of negative camber is standard on most modern passenger vehicles to optimize handling and stability during cornering.
When a vehicle corners, body roll causes the suspension to lean, which tilts the tire contact patches outward. By setting the wheels with slight negative camber statically, the outside tire tilts flat against the pavement when the vehicle rolls in a turn, maximizing the contact patch and improving cornering grip. Excessive negative camber, however, reduces straight-line traction and braking performance.
Symptoms of excessive negative camber include rapid tread wear on the inner edges of the tires and a tendency for the vehicle to wander. Alignment technicians measure camber using computerized alignment sensors. Adjusting camber typically involves adjusting eccentric bolts on the control arms or struts, or installing aftermarket camber kits for lowered vehicles.