'61 Wheel Alignment?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 202
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From: Ponte Vedra, FL
'61 Wheel Alignment Problem?
I noticed last night that the front left tire on my '61 has significant wear on the most inner part of the tire. I assume this a sign that the front end needs alignment? While driving, I don't feel any pull to one side or the other. However, I do get a pretty good pull to the right when I hit the brakes hard. Had my brakes checked recently and they seem to be good.
I also have noticed that the car's stance seems to be leaning a little to the left. When looking at the car from behind while it is parked in the garage, it just seems like it tilts slightly left. I put a level to the car and it seems to be about 3/16" unlevel. Is this all related and what do make of the lean and how do I fix it?
Thanks!
Tim
I also have noticed that the car's stance seems to be leaning a little to the left. When looking at the car from behind while it is parked in the garage, it just seems like it tilts slightly left. I put a level to the car and it seems to be about 3/16" unlevel. Is this all related and what do make of the lean and how do I fix it?
Thanks!
Tim
Last edited by Blacksburg Hokie; Oct 20, 2010 at 10:25 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,456
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From: minneola fl
Tim,
First of all, if your car is pulling to one side when the brakes are applied, something is not right (with the brakes). You need to get that checked out by someone who understands drum brakes. The car should stop straight!!! That has nothing to do with the tire wear. Get the alignment checked out. Again, you'll have to find someone who knows how to do an alignment on your car, as it's not anything like the newer cars. The leaning of the car is probably being caused by tired springs. You can have your rear springs re-arched, and replace the coils up front. Put the same amount of air in all of your tires, and measure from the frame rail to the floor on each side. Good luck.
Mike Coletta
First of all, if your car is pulling to one side when the brakes are applied, something is not right (with the brakes). You need to get that checked out by someone who understands drum brakes. The car should stop straight!!! That has nothing to do with the tire wear. Get the alignment checked out. Again, you'll have to find someone who knows how to do an alignment on your car, as it's not anything like the newer cars. The leaning of the car is probably being caused by tired springs. You can have your rear springs re-arched, and replace the coils up front. Put the same amount of air in all of your tires, and measure from the frame rail to the floor on each side. Good luck.
Mike Coletta
Team Owner
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Army
Sounds like something new Tim. When you and I did the pre-inspection of the car down here I was pretty impressed with the stance (and the whole car). Its real important you lube all 24 grease fittings in the front end on these cars every couple thousand miles or even less.
Likewise I assume you know these drum brakes are not self-adjusting...you have to do it manually every so often and the procedure IIRC is in the ST-12....10 minute job...inspect the rubber brake lines to each wheel while you're under there...
If you have it aligned take it to somebody that knows these cars...one of the adjustments is behind a zerk fitting and the average tech will have no clue where to look!
And of course take Mike's advice to heart...he lives and breathes these cars...
Likewise I assume you know these drum brakes are not self-adjusting...you have to do it manually every so often and the procedure IIRC is in the ST-12....10 minute job...inspect the rubber brake lines to each wheel while you're under there...
If you have it aligned take it to somebody that knows these cars...one of the adjustments is behind a zerk fitting and the average tech will have no clue where to look!
And of course take Mike's advice to heart...he lives and breathes these cars...
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Oct 20, 2010 at 11:41 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Ponte Vedra, FL
Mike, thanks. I will get the brakes checked again. And, I made sure the tires were all inflated equally.
Frank, I don't remember the stance being an issue either. I found a photo you took of the car and while the angle is a little different, it still looks good.
And I did lube all 24 grease fittings this summer.
Tim
Frank, I don't remember the stance being an issue either. I found a photo you took of the car and while the angle is a little different, it still looks good.
And I did lube all 24 grease fittings this summer.
Tim
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,934
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From: Rochester Hills Michigan
If it goes straight and the tires look upright, just get the toe checked as a first step. You can go deeper if that isn't the problem. Looks like you have too much toe-out.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 884
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From: Blacksburg Virginia
Tim,
Hugh sent me to New River Valley Nissan for my front end alignment. I can't remember the guys name. Call Hugh and he can tell you who to ask for to do your alignment. He knows his stuff and does all kinds of classic cars.
Hugh sent me to New River Valley Nissan for my front end alignment. I can't remember the guys name. Call Hugh and he can tell you who to ask for to do your alignment. He knows his stuff and does all kinds of classic cars.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: fighter pilots make movies, bomber pilots make history
Tim, since it is just one side, I would think maybe the outer wheel bearing or king pin. Easy to check, jack up that side, grab tire top and bottom...should be only a slight movement of the top of tire in/out.
Brake pull to one side is common to these. These drum brakes do stop the car, but which lane can be a concern. But, when EVENLY adjusted they do OK. Also since these are not assisted, may need to be a bit more aggressive on the peddle to take-up the slack more quickly (and EVENLY) than we do on our modern disc brakes.
You, by now, realize you are in an elite groups as a 61 driver.
Joe
Brake pull to one side is common to these. These drum brakes do stop the car, but which lane can be a concern. But, when EVENLY adjusted they do OK. Also since these are not assisted, may need to be a bit more aggressive on the peddle to take-up the slack more quickly (and EVENLY) than we do on our modern disc brakes.
You, by now, realize you are in an elite groups as a 61 driver.
Joe
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Thread Starter
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From: Ponte Vedra, FL
Joe, I did as you suggested. I noticed a small amount of movement on the drivers side (the side in question). But it definitely has more movement than the other side. The passenger side is firmer but there really isn't a lot of movement on the drivers side. Is that unusual, one side to have a little more play than the other?
Race Director
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From: Camp Verde AZ
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Change the kingpins, adjust the camber.
many, if not most alignment shops only adjust the toe, as they can't figure out how to adjust the caster/camber on these,and it wigs the tech (often some 19 YO kid) out when the camber changes as they adjust the caster.
If you are mechanically inclined, get a Fast Trax alignment checking tool and do it your self.
Doug
many, if not most alignment shops only adjust the toe, as they can't figure out how to adjust the caster/camber on these,and it wigs the tech (often some 19 YO kid) out when the camber changes as they adjust the caster.
If you are mechanically inclined, get a Fast Trax alignment checking tool and do it your self.
Doug
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Last edited by Plasticman; Oct 20, 2010 at 09:53 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: fighter pilots make movies, bomber pilots make history
Joe, I did as you suggested. I noticed a small amount of movement on the drivers side (the side in question). But it definitely has more movement than the other side. The passenger side is firmer but there really isn't a lot of movement on the drivers side. Is that unusual, one side to have a little more play than the other?
Maybe one of the others will chime-in with the torque spec and then back off to align pin.
You can also inspect the kin pin by observing the play in the bushing in a similar method of top in/out movement, but loose wheel bearing will mask that if not tight.
Joe
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,703
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From: Western Washington
It's more like you tighten it until snugs and inhibits the rotation of the wheel. Then back off to align the pin. If you turn the wheel as you snug the nut you will feel it. If you tighten and loosen it a few times you will know where it should be.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,934
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From: Rochester Hills Michigan
Does the '61 still have ball bearings or has it been converted to roller bearings? Don't use the ball bearing procedure on roller bearings; they will fail.
To be safe, just remove most (not all) of the play in the wheel bearing.
To be safe, just remove most (not all) of the play in the wheel bearing.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Puget Sound
The first picture shows that it has too much negative camber on that wheel. That will cause the tire to wear exactly as shown. It's possible the pinch bolt on the upper outer pivot shaft loosened up and caused it to go to max. neg. camber. I've seen it happen before.
A Fastrax tool will confirm it AND let you set it back to correct specs. I've done several alignments with mine.
Jim
A Fastrax tool will confirm it AND let you set it back to correct specs. I've done several alignments with mine.
Jim
