A-arms loaded with shims
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,212
Likes: 4,301
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
Is it 'loaded' on one or both a-arms; and is it on both studs or just one??
An unusually thick stack of shims on just one of the mounting studs is often an indication that something is amiss.
I'd look carefully at the a-arm itself to see if it's "tweaked", and also at the frame rail and crossmember to see if something is bent, creased, or broken.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
I'm still using the original alignment that was on my car when it was new. You can see the amount of shims needed was pretty similar on each stud.
Is it 'loaded' on one or both a-arms; and is it on both studs or just one??
An unusually thick stack of shims on just one of the mounting studs is often an indication that something is amiss.
I'd look carefully at the a-arm itself to see if it's "tweaked", and also at the frame rail and crossmember to see if something is bent, creased, or broken.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
I'm still using the original alignment that was on my car when it was new. You can see the amount of shims needed was pretty similar on each stud.
Last edited by Alan 71; Jan 8, 2015 at 08:58 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,431
Likes: 52
From: Florida
Hi,
Is it 'loaded' on one or both a-arms; and is it on both studs or just one??
An unusually thick stack of shims on just one of the mounting studs is often an indication that something is amiss.
I'd look carefully at the a-arm itself to see if it's "tweaked", and also at the frame rail and crossmember to see if something is bent, creased, or broken.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
I'm still using the original alignment that was on my car when it was new. You can see the amount of shims needed was pretty similar on each stud.
Is it 'loaded' on one or both a-arms; and is it on both studs or just one??
An unusually thick stack of shims on just one of the mounting studs is often an indication that something is amiss.
I'd look carefully at the a-arm itself to see if it's "tweaked", and also at the frame rail and crossmember to see if something is bent, creased, or broken.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
I'm still using the original alignment that was on my car when it was new. You can see the amount of shims needed was pretty similar on each stud.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Having significantly more shims at one end of a CA shaft than the other typically means a bent frame and/or that the lower CA mounting point has somehow been moved. The extra shims are most likely there to compensate in an attempt to bring alignment back into spec.
So, first thing to do is to have the alignment checked to rule out bad work. Then, if it's not that simple...
If you have a fairly level floor, some string, a plumb bob, a measuring tape and know how to do, you can get good idea of whether it's actually bent and if the tweak is isolated to the lower CA mount point itself, or to the forward section, or if the entire frame is involved. In any event, if there is a frame or mount problem, you're going to need a well-equipped frame shop that knows what they're doing (make sure they have the correct chassis specs) to fix it properly. And, while they're at it you might as well plan on having them check all datum points. HTH
So, first thing to do is to have the alignment checked to rule out bad work. Then, if it's not that simple...
If you have a fairly level floor, some string, a plumb bob, a measuring tape and know how to do, you can get good idea of whether it's actually bent and if the tweak is isolated to the lower CA mount point itself, or to the forward section, or if the entire frame is involved. In any event, if there is a frame or mount problem, you're going to need a well-equipped frame shop that knows what they're doing (make sure they have the correct chassis specs) to fix it properly. And, while they're at it you might as well plan on having them check all datum points. HTH
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 232
Likes: 5
From: waddell arizona
having significantly more shims at one end of a ca shaft than the other typically means a bent frame and/or that the lower ca mounting point has somehow been moved. The extra shims are most likely there to compensate in an attempt to bring alignment back into spec.
So, first thing to do is to have the alignment checked to rule out bad work. Then, if it's not that simple...
If you have a fairly level floor, some string, a plumb bob, a measuring tape and know how to do, you can get good idea of whether it's actually bent and if the tweak is isolated to the lower ca mount point itself, or to the forward section, or if the entire frame is involved. In any event, if there is a frame or mount problem, you're going to need a well-equipped frame shop that knows what they're doing (make sure they have the correct chassis specs) to fix it properly. And, while they're at it you might as well plan on having them check all datum points. Hth
So, first thing to do is to have the alignment checked to rule out bad work. Then, if it's not that simple...
If you have a fairly level floor, some string, a plumb bob, a measuring tape and know how to do, you can get good idea of whether it's actually bent and if the tweak is isolated to the lower ca mount point itself, or to the forward section, or if the entire frame is involved. In any event, if there is a frame or mount problem, you're going to need a well-equipped frame shop that knows what they're doing (make sure they have the correct chassis specs) to fix it properly. And, while they're at it you might as well plan on having them check all datum points. Hth
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