Alignment questions
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 605
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From: Alta Loma CA
Alignment questions
My '73 has been lowered with 550 coils in the front from Corvette Central. (The box said Ecklers). I have 17" wheels and 245 45 tires.
I just got an alignment kit from Quicktrick. The best I can achieve on caster is 0 degrees. With the largest number of shims in the front and none in the back. Any thoughts as to why I can't get into the positive range on caster.
I just got an alignment kit from Quicktrick. The best I can achieve on caster is 0 degrees. With the largest number of shims in the front and none in the back. Any thoughts as to why I can't get into the positive range on caster.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
Unless I'm having a complete brain fart you want it the other way. The upper ball joint should go back, so you'd remove shims in the front and add in the back. Basically, you've taken all the caster out of it by putting the shims in the front.
Maybe find another shop?
Maybe find another shop?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 598
Wrong way. Also caster is measured 15 degree's left to 15 degree's right for some tools. I found it very difficult to get 15 degree's, so I usually mearsure caster full left to full right and compare left vs right and make sure the difference is as close to 0 compairing left side to right side, and get as much caster as possible.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
From: Alta Loma CA
I have turntables to get the correct degrees. I switched the max shims to the back from the front.
With large shim pack at the front 0 degrees caster.
With a large shim pack at the back 6 degrees negative caster.
So it seems as if I'm correct as to where the shims go but I still can't get a positive caster reading.
With large shim pack at the front 0 degrees caster.
With a large shim pack at the back 6 degrees negative caster.
So it seems as if I'm correct as to where the shims go but I still can't get a positive caster reading.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 598
I have turntables to get the correct degrees. I switched the max shims to the back from the front.
With large shim pack at the front 0 degrees caster.
With a large shim pack at the back 6 degrees negative caster.
So it seems as if I'm correct as to where the shims go but I still can't get a positive caster reading.
With large shim pack at the front 0 degrees caster.
With a large shim pack at the back 6 degrees negative caster.
So it seems as if I'm correct as to where the shims go but I still can't get a positive caster reading.
Last edited by cagotzmann; Jan 16, 2014 at 12:59 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
I think you're getting too hung up on getting a negative reading vs a positive reading. Put the shims at the back bolt to get the right camber and then do a second pass moving shims from the back bolt to the front bolt of the higher caster side to equal out the caster. You may want to leave bit more caster in the right to compensate for road crown.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
From: Alta Loma CA
Quicktrick is sending me a new gauge so when I get it I will recheck and see what I get then post it.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 598
Its not the guage its your process when you measured caster. A simple test. Zero the guage with the wheels pointing left, then turn to the right to measure caster. Then zero again without turning the wheel. Then turn the wheel back to the left and read again. You will notice one reading is opposite of the other. One being positive and the other negitive.