mitsubishiguy02
Need a Spot
Reged: 04/13/07
Posts: 5
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2002 Montero Ltd. w/60000 mi.- rear wheels are profoundly cambered in at top (can't remember if that is + or - camber) both sides w/Left side significantly more pronounced at least 3 degrees. [ VISUALIZATION from rear view: /-----------\.
Had it on rack and visually could not find any obvious evidence. @ 60000mi ball joints shouldn't be bad I wouldn't think. Bushings don't outwardly show any significant deterioration. I really dont know much about this independant rear suspension but, It seems that for this to camber the wheel like this that the upper control arm and the the lower arm both have to pivot up further than designed. Beside the coil spring and the shock absorber, is there anything else that determines the vertical angle of the control arms? Any suggestions? b/c apart from overlooking the malfunction already or randomly disassembling, I am at a loss. I am thinking a worn coil spring, but visually appears intact.
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Alex Kogan
Body Damage is Cool
Reged: 04/03/00
Posts: 1664
Loc: Portland, OR
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Camber is adjustable on Gen 3 rear suspension via eccentric bolts on lower arms. You just need an alignment. Your sprints might be settling too.
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92 SR, 285/75R16 Yoko MT ARB locker GAST compressor AirLift 1000 MM10500 Snorkel custom rear bumper
02 Montero LS died protecting the master
08 PowerWagon (stock!)
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mitsubishiguy02
Need a Spot
Reged: 04/13/07
Posts: 5
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that is what I thought as well. However, I had an alignment on 7 mo's ago. and the camber had gotten progressively worse. Took it back and put it up on jack. Once airborn, tires returned to proper camber. Sat it back on rack and remained vertical. Not until driven forward did the tires become tilted again.
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mitsubishiguy02
Need a Spot
Reged: 04/13/07
Posts: 5
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Also, (although I really have no idea) I don't think there would be near the adjustment in the bolt to even come close to correcting the camber.
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Scottie2113
Body Damage is Cool
Reged: 05/18/03
Posts: 2045
Loc: Fort Huachuca, AZ
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on rear independant suspensions, I would assume that the upper control arms can be shimmed in or out just like on the front independant suspensions. over time, coils can 'sag' and when they sag really bad, it can cause your camber to change. kinda like when you crank the torsion bars on the front end, the camber changes.
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97 Montero SR Mitsu Rear Diff Lock ARB Front Diff Lock 4.9 R&P 3.15 transfer 43:1 crawl ratio 2" susp lift 2" body lift 2" Gas Tank Lift 35x12.5 MTRs on 15x10 Dick Cepeks Rock Sliderz Custom rear bumper ARB front winch bumper 12,000 lbs MM Winch
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icysyrup
Rock Warrior
Reged: 08/16/05
Posts: 824
Loc: Johnson City, TN
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I am gonna place money on the fact that you need the rear springs replaced...my bet is they are getting fatigued and are sagging.....I have seen quite a few 2001's around that when following behind them you notice the same thing.....the rear tires are facing in at the top. Get new springs/and shocks while your at it...put em in and get an alignment and you will be good to go.
I have got 102k on my 03 and the bushings etc are still fine...but I have replaced spring/shocks....
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03 Montero XLS, OME 2"suspension lift,Full skid plates, Extended Diff/transfer breathers. 34 LTB's, Winch w/syn rope, Locked front/rear.
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mitsubishiguy02
Need a Spot
Reged: 04/13/07
Posts: 5
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Thanks for the reply. Really, springs were my only guess, and I stress guess. Unless, there is something I am missing. Could someone recommend the most practical way I could pre-determine that faulty springs are indeed the issue here before I install them and find out otherwise. Thanks
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mitsubishiguy02
Need a Spot
Reged: 04/13/07
Posts: 5
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1st- Let me just say "Thank You" for what you are doing on this forum. I have spent the last 4 days looking very hard for answers that might explain my problem and if there where any others owners experiencing similar issues. I have read thousands of Topic Headers and many hundreds of post looking for clues. While I have yet to see any reports similar to my problem, I have had an opportunity to explore many sites (well, not that there are that many) and there is not another one that I saw that even comes close to measuring up to the quality of this site. The information is 1st class, as well as are the members who post here regularly. Thank you again for sharing your time and knowledge with those of us who are really not able to return the favor.
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sparkem
Trail Leader
Reged: 12/12/00
Posts: 6883
Loc: Ponchatoula, LA
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Glad you like us.
There are not a lot of guys here with gen3s. Well if you think about it, there are not a lot of guys here.
First off, I am no expert on Monteros (I like to pretend I am).  I dont own a gen3, but there is only so much that could go wrong with your IRS (independent rear susp.). Your 02 is what 5-6 years old now, stuff might be wearing and setteling some (ie shocks and coils). Most of the older gen3s I see, the ones with the red 3diamond thing on the grill 01s, the rear tires are like that. Unless there is a reason to believe something is broken, Baja racing jumping stuff, wreck, or something, it is probably normal spring sag. You said above the coils look intact. A spring can lose its effective srping rate or bounce and still look exactly the same. If possible, find some newer springs and try them out, maybe some aftermarket ones, maybe shocks too.
Whatever you find, please post up here and let us know. 
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I just want to tell you both good luck, and we're all counting on you.
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icysyrup
Rock Warrior
Reged: 08/16/05
Posts: 824
Loc: Johnson City, TN
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Most suspension/spring components/shocks usually last 60-100k if I remember right before they "recommend" replacing them. Then again it all depends on the vehicle and the conditions its seen....
In the Gen 3s the Rear weight is totally held up by those two coil springs and if they are worn out and fatigued then they should be replaced. A common test to figure out if your shocks are done is to bounce on the back end and see if it keeps bouncing more than a couple times....it works on cars but since the Monty is a lot heavier it will be more tough to notice I suspect.
Springs are an easy thing to replace and not that expensive if you are just gonna do the rear. But I would recommend if you replace them to just go ahead and replace the shocks as well cause they wont be far behind in wearing out if they arent already.
If you do end up going that route and are able to do the work yourself post it up and I have a couple good links if ya want to help ya find the suspension and the walk through on how to do it. 
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03 Montero XLS, OME 2"suspension lift,Full skid plates, Extended Diff/transfer breathers. 34 LTB's, Winch w/syn rope, Locked front/rear.
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