I am taking my Jag in for rear brakes. Shop also advised I also needed CV joints , outer, due to wear. As these are not available from Jag they quoted about a $1000 to rebuild the axles with new outer CV joints. Work also includes an alignment. Worn CV joints will effect rear camber

The last 2 alignments were incomplete because the shop could not obtain the shims. If the rear camber can't be corrected with shims why bother replacing the CV joints.

The shims seem to be available in 3.5 to 7.5 MM thickness. If I am reading the alignment diagram correctly, the existing condition is -1.9 camber which shows tires tipped out at the top. Seems to me additional shims will worsen the problem.

-0.9 to -0.1 seems to be the spec.

so should I replace the CV joints if they cannot correct the camber?

 

Hi, Your shop should concentrate on fixing the wear issue by replacing the Universal Joint bearings which are item '2' on the diagram.
It would not be advisable to increase Spacer thickness (item #3) to compensate for UJ bearing wear.
If your current spacers are factory standard, then replacing the worn UJ bearings will return the Camber to within specification.
Agree that additional 'shims' will worsen your negative camber issue. In fact, I would expect a negative Camber symptom with worn UJ's - where the Top of the wheel would be leaning more into the car.

 

PKWise

Thanks for the response . The last diagram I have for alignment ( about 20K miles ago) shows -1.9 NEGATIVE camber ( wheels tipped in at top) . Shop noted shims weren't available for camber adjustment. The outer CV joints are being replaced due to wear and noise at the wheel. I think it best to replace the CV joints because there is grinding noise at the wheel. I may get lucky and with new CV joints the rear camber is back in spec. ( -0.9 max) If after CV replacement I still have excess negative camber I will just have to live with it because shims aren't available.

I recently replaced all 4 tires because the fronts were worn, about 15K miles. Rears were fine. Dealer gave me an adjustment on the Michelin tires due to wear.