setting rough front end alignment after rebuild
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 4
setting rough front end alignment after rebuild
im just finishing up my front suspension rebuild, is there a general way to go about setting a rough alignment? just something so i can drive it some place to have a full 4 wheel done.
i remember with the rear end it was equal shims on both sides until no more shims could go in.
i remember with the rear end it was equal shims on both sides until no more shims could go in.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Just use the same amount of shims in the same place you removed them from and take it easy on the way to the shop. PG.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,426
Likes: 1,559
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
There is no way to guess how many shims or where to put them. You might need 3 large in the front foward and 3 small in the rear, or some other combination. If you have no shims you can either go to the auto parts store and buy a ship pack or drive your other car to the alignment shop and get some free ones from them. The shop will have planty of shims and they never charge for them. PG.
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Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,832
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From: Cedar,BC
With some basic carpentry tools you can get it more than close enough.Using a level,set the front wheels straight up 90 degrees viewing from the front that will be close to zero degrees camber.Using a string,set one front wheel parallel to the frame rail and the other front wheel parallel to that wheel,that will be close enough to zero toe.Don't worry about caster for this short trip,just keep the shims equal at the front and rear of the control arm.The car won't drive great,but will be close enough that you won't grind all your tread off,just keep your speed down and the trip short as possible.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
To get my front end alignment close I got my wheels as close to vertical using shims at the upper a-arms. I tied a piece of string to something in the rear of the car behind the rear tire. I then pulled the string around the rear tire, about halfway up the sidewall, past the front tire. I made the string just touch the edges of the sidewalls by adjusting the tie rods. These should get you close enough to get you to the alignment shop.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: NYC NY
This might help enough to get you close enough to be able to drive to the alignment shop. http://www.carcraft.com/howto/48938/index.html
This is basically what was said in posts #9 and #10 with some pictures.
This is basically what was said in posts #9 and #10 with some pictures.
Last edited by 3JsVette; Apr 5, 2009 at 09:22 AM.
