I have a '76 that has some significant front end/alignment issues.

At first the car was scary to drive. I could barely keep it on the road. I also noticed that the steering wheel did not return to center at all. Alignment did nothing, so I decided to replace components. I did the upper and lower control arm bushings, ball joints, tie rod ends and idler arm. Also replaced springs and shocks. At the same time I rebuilt the steering box, bench spec'ing before installation. This tightened up the control issues, drove well in straight line, but still no steering wheel return.

I then went after the hydraulics, replaced ps pump, lines, rebuilt both the control valve and the cylinder. No help.

Took the steering box back out and readjusted on bench. While out rechecked that the column wasn't binding (had already replaced the bearings). Steering wheel spins freely, no binding or rubbing with the steering box disconnected.

I have tried just about every alignment setup, no amount of positive caster will make the wheels completely return to center (right now at 2.5 pos). They will now go about 3/4 back when, say, turning at a stop sign. If however, I'm driving at higher speeds and turn the wheel at all, it stays exactly where I put it. Every turn of the wheel has to be manually corrected. Not fun to drive.

Today, I noticed that there is significant setback of the passenger front wheel (rough measurment is approx 1.5 inches behind the driver's side).

So, what is bent? How can I tell if my control arm is bent? or the frame? Are there some standard measurements to take to figure this out? There is no obvious evidence of a significant collision, but I don't know the history of the car. I'm running out of desire to spend money and time on randomly replacing parts, or I guess the next step would be to replace the control arms. I'm not anxious to do this simply as an experiment, because I already did the bushings and ball joints. I don't really have a lot of faith in shops knowing how to work on this car, or I guess I could bring it to a frame shop. I don't really know how to pick a reputable shop.

I've also been toying with the idea of the Borgeson unit, but my discovery today of the wheel setback makes me think that will be an $800 mistake.

I'd really like my next effort to actually fix this problem. I'm about ready to give up. Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

I think you should take it to a frame shop and have it chk'd for squareness. That one and a half setback does not sound good to me. Good luck to you and "A" for your efforts!!!!

 

You can check the frame fairly accurately yourself with a plumb bob and a measuring tape.

Just hang a plumb line from each of the outermost body mounts and mark the points on the floor (use tape if you don't want sharpie marks on the garage floor), then measure the distances between the marks side to side, front to back, and corner to corner.

 

Have you checked the front crossmember for cracked welds? I found this many years ago on my '75 and had the crossmember fully welded and gusseted.

 

PM me your e-mail and I'll e-mail you a frame spec sheet.