Front End Alignment??
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 573
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From: Milford, CT
Front End Alignment??
My 77 is just about done. New suspension all around. New steering all around. I did an alignment by eye just to get close enough to drive the car around the block. I now need to do a proper alignment. I didn't remove the rear trailing arms. For the rear I did new bushings, new mono spring and new shocks. Front has new tie rod ends, all the bushings, sway bars, shocks, springs, ball joints all Energy Suspension bushings etc...
I saw a video online that made it look EXTREMELY easy to align the front end just by using jack stands, a tape measure and level and string. My questions are this. Is it really that easy? Also... I would think its VERY hard to turn the tie rods while the wheels are on the ground for 2 reasons... its very hard to get to them AND... the weight of the car on the tires would make them VERY hard to turn.
I can bring it to a shop no problem but I am not confident that there are any local shops that work on any cars that are old school. I also don't want to leave the car alone and many shops won't do it while you wait. It doesn't seem like rocket science and since all my components are new and the collars on my tie rods aren't even tight it should be a cake job.
I saw a video online that made it look EXTREMELY easy to align the front end just by using jack stands, a tape measure and level and string. My questions are this. Is it really that easy? Also... I would think its VERY hard to turn the tie rods while the wheels are on the ground for 2 reasons... its very hard to get to them AND... the weight of the car on the tires would make them VERY hard to turn.
I can bring it to a shop no problem but I am not confident that there are any local shops that work on any cars that are old school. I also don't want to leave the car alone and many shops won't do it while you wait. It doesn't seem like rocket science and since all my components are new and the collars on my tie rods aren't even tight it should be a cake job.
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
It is not difficult to turn the adjusters when they are on the ground...use a tie rod sleeve adjust tool.....if you cannot get to them....put the car up on four drive on ramps.
You can adjust the toe easy enough, camber is not too hard either but the caster and the rear end stuff should be done on a rack to get it just right.
The four wheel alignment on these cars is one of the most critical elements to make sure your ride tracks straight and handles well.
Mine is going to a shop soon.....an old man who has a big dollar rack and understands these cars.....
With 500 horsepower and a 4 speed.....it is imperative that the car is aligned correctly before pulling holeshots...or these IRS cars like to do dances and sometimes swap ends.
Jebby
You can adjust the toe easy enough, camber is not too hard either but the caster and the rear end stuff should be done on a rack to get it just right.
The four wheel alignment on these cars is one of the most critical elements to make sure your ride tracks straight and handles well.
Mine is going to a shop soon.....an old man who has a big dollar rack and understands these cars.....
With 500 horsepower and a 4 speed.....it is imperative that the car is aligned correctly before pulling holeshots...or these IRS cars like to do dances and sometimes swap ends.
Jebby
