thisisaustin9221

can someone explain to me what exactly these are and why so many look down on them.

Are they just something that Lift Kit's use instead of replacing the control arms?

BlackNorthernJK

yes...pretty much that's it
they require that you actually notch out the control arm axle mounts, then the cam bolts are used to adjust caster which you'll need to do after lifting the Jeep.
Why do we look down on them? Because one, they do not always provide enough adjustment to get the appropriate caster you need....and two, generally under even moderate off roading the bolts can come loose and of course you lose your caster and need to go under and readjust it and tighten them again.
Some use them and make them work...most just get adjustable control arms.

spinlock

They are bolt with a cam on it. As you turn the bolt the cam "extends" the position of the control arm in lieu of an adjustable control arm. The adjustments it can provide are relatively minor, but in many cases like this one, that is all that is needed to adjust the virtual king pin angle (Caster).

The inherent nature of the cam is to rotate away from the high point on the cam as pressure is applied. If the bolt become loose or receives a large impact you can loose your Caster setting and it can cause wear to the CA bracket.

IMO, they can become a nuisance to inspect and maintain, but they are decent low cost alternative for moderate lift kits and/or moderate off road driving.

There is some good discussion in several threads that are worth reading if you are trying to decide on using them or not. They are almost as controversial as some wheel spacers.

bigbluejk

The crappiest part is that when you are fed up with them coming loose or not having enough adjustment you heve to get your control arms repaired to go to an adjustable control arm and get rid of them. See, you have to cut out slits in your control arm for them to move the control arm bolts back and forth in. When you get rid of them you have to get those slits welded up.

RedneckJeep

There's nuthin wrong with cam bolts in the right application. It's my opinion however, that a Jeep is not the right application for cam bolts. Anything that will see off road duty including all the bumps and jolts that come with it, will not work well with cam bolts. Even in strict street applications, they can be bumped out of place by potholes and such. Just not the optimum thing.

BIGJ

this is what i was thinking too, when you notch the holes, then later go with the adj. control arms, you will have to get the notches welded / repaired.

thisisaustin9221

so what adjustable control arms do you guys suggests?

anything specific that would work well with the AEV 3.5 Kit?

bigbluejk

If you want to just get some caster up front the currie upper ones are supposed to get shorter than stock... and they are cheaper than most ad. lowers. If you want to add some strenth and wheelbase you could spend a little more and get adjustable lowers. I really like the build quality and price of Teraflex arms.

RA070424

As long as they're adjustable, you should be okay no matter what your choice.

Racer83l just installed Currie front lowers on his Unlimited with the AEV 3.5" kit.

wayoflife

not exactly. unfortunately, some adjustable upper arms cannot be shortend enough to give you the caster you need. having said that, just about any adjustable lower should allow you to lengthen them enough to what you need.