Front coil/control arms
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 89
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From: Clayton North Carolina
Front coil/control arms
I am in the process of a complete rebuild of my front end. i have replaced all the ball joints, sway bar bushings etc including new grand Touring coil springs and shocks. I have also had new bushings installed in both upper and lower control arms. My question is, when I took the front end apart, the uppper arms were shimmed from a former alignment. I marked locations and number of shims thinking that i would have to replicate this when i reinstalled. i am having second thoughs and need some advice. With new bushings and front end parts, should i put it back as I found it or assemble with no shims then have the front end aligned?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Thanks
Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,363
Likes: 303
From: Lansdale 19446 PA
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '10-'11, '15, '19
On the advice of the alignment shop I use - put it back exactly as it was originally. That is generally close.
John
John
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
You can eye up the camber pretty good just by looking at it. The castor you will have no idea where it is at. Put back in the shims you took out and look at how the wheel sits. If the camber is way off take out/put in some shims. I came pretty close just by eyeing it up. I'll bet you will have less shims then before.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 7
From: Brazos TX
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
I second what Gordonm said. You can eyeball the camber and toe easily. The caster can be approximated using your notes and old shims. Whatever the difference is between the front and rear shims will give you caster. It is usually 1 or 2 shims more on the rear stud.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 599
Likes: 16
From: vista CA
I also vote to put back in as were originally there, then get aligned.
And don't forget to only tighten the A-arm bolts fully until the full car weight is on the wheels vice up on jack stands. otherwise there is a twist type preload on the arms from bushings snugged tight when not in the neutral position.....
And don't forget to only tighten the A-arm bolts fully until the full car weight is on the wheels vice up on jack stands. otherwise there is a twist type preload on the arms from bushings snugged tight when not in the neutral position.....
