GC camber plates: Review of failed install(s)

[Brainofjjj]

I have a set I've yet to install. Wonder if I should get them to replace this piece.
Not even sure I need them anymore

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

In for details. I'm holding off on buying these until the re-design comes out. I'm always loosening and tightening those 3 bolts on my vorshlag plates on my E46...surprised this has not been a more common issue here.

No issues at all with Vorshlag E36/46/8x/9x plates if you use care and apply proper torque.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by Brainofjjj

I have a set I've yet to install. Wonder if I should get them to replace this piece.
Not even sure I need them anymore

I'll buy your plates if you don't need them anymore!

[j2m]

That really sucks... thanks for bringing it to our attention. Funny thing, a set just went up for sale on the classified side. Dude probably read this and decided to ditch em!

[advanced101]

Any updates on the revision?

[Malek@MRF]

We should be receiving the new revised plates today.

Once they are here, I will take side by side pictures and report back the differences in design.

Malek

[sleepless]

Originally Posted by advanced101

Any updates on the revision?

GC is shipping out the new version now. They revised the welding to minimize the heat stress on the bolt and updated the installation instructions (I think to make sure people don't try to tighten the bolts with the suspension hanging just by the bolts).

[modernbeat]

Originally Posted by dbarnes

I believe the OP is using OEM springs so Vorshlag camber plates won't work. Currently only GC makes a camber plate that works with OEM springs.

There are good reasons to not offer an OEM perch for that application. There's very little room in the tower to slide the OEM spring over and you end up having to resort to some poor engineering to get it done.

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by modernbeat

There are good reasons to not offer an OEM perch for that application. There's very little room in the tower to slide the OEM spring over and you end up having to resort to some poor engineering to get it done.

Perhaps but the failure was not due to applying torque to the bolt (look at the failure surface) so something else caused this failure. Regardless, I know one brand of camber plate I'll never purchase and it's not GC

[Malek@MRF]

Here is a little pictorial guide as to why these camber plates have failed.

The newer design is a bit better and should alleviate the problem. The pictures should tell the story.

On the good side, Ground Control's customer service and acknowledgement regarding this matter was nothing short of superb. Thumbs up there!

Certain things are irrelevant, such as when they chose to do the zinc coating, however, it makes the final product look like less of an after thought. It will not affect its strength.











Malek

[Sleeper519]

Thanks for the pix.

The weld issues were more obvious but the plate/bolt alignment problem was not. Is that an engineering or build-quality fault? Not trying to be flippant but isn't that one of the basic rules, to make the round bolts fit in the round holes?

I agree that Ground Control's customer service was good, but to sell and ship even a small batch of these plates out to customers speaks poorly of their quality control. If I had a set of these "old" plates on my track car now, I'm not sure I would fell comfortable keeping them on the car for safety reasons. There could be liability issues as well...

Thank you again for that update.

[bigjae1976]

If I'm reading this correctly, you need to ensure the studs go through the correct holes in the upper plate? This will prevent failures?

[sleepless]

I just don't see how 17lbs could have bent the plate that badly. That looks way over torqued to me.

Also, the hole alignment a the ends is not very important. What matters most is the alignment when you actually star torquing...

[Sleeper519]

^ Yes, but the hole (mis)alignment at the top determines the lateral stress on the bolt at the base. When you start torqueing it down you will introduce sheer stress on the bolt about right where it broke.

[SlamMan]

FYI, when I pulled my sleeve overs out of my car to replace them with the street camber plates the brackets on my were warped. Not quite like that though. I asked GC about my brackets and they said it wasn't an issue and wouldn't be structurally compromised.

[sleepless]

I have the new plates installed, no issues

[bigjae1976]

Wow...I NEED these! I murdered the outside of my front tires.

[Sleeper519]

GC sent me a new pair of brackets so I'm going to try and put the camber plates on one more time next week. We'll see how it goes... I'm cautiously optimistic.

[SlamMan]

Good luck. I'd like to think it'll be good to go this time. What will you have invested in labor after this?

[Sleeper519]

^ I don't know, I'm trying hard to forget, lol. I should just do it myself but I wanted it done right, especially in light of recent events. Actually going to a different shop this time.

OT but, I watched Zoolander the other night (again) and I LMAO every time I see your sig pic now.

[SlamMan]

Originally Posted by Sleeper519

^ I don't know, I'm trying hard to forget, lol. I should just do it myself but I wanted it done right, especially in light of recent events. Actually going to a different shop this time.

OT but, I watched Zoolander the other night (again) and I LMAO every time I see your sig pic now.

LOL A classic movie.

If you have the tools, it's pretty easy. All you really need are spring compressors and a strut nut socket. I did a DIY writeup on the sleeve over kit. The camber plate is even easier. I've never worked on suspension before this.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=552785

[bigjae1976]

I was installing my GC plates (old version) and the bolt that everyone is having a problem with started turning. I was like, WTF? I looked underneath and the weld had separated and the bolt was actually sticking out of the bottom. I could get the nut tight but decided that I will try and get the new version.