Trailing arm alignment?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 491
Likes: 0
From: florida
Trailing arm alignment?
Installed new trailing arms and the old shims don't come close to the new shim kit that I have. The old shim were much wider because of worn out bushings. Does anyone know the basic shim set up for new trailing arms to get me close before I take it to the alignment shop. Thanks , L ou
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 478
Likes: 3
From: Huntsville AL
Re: Trailing arm alignment? (lou)
Lou, had the same situation when I rebuilt mine. I basically set mine up with equil shims on either side and kept the extra shims to take to the allignment shop. I haven't had it alligned yet so I don't know how close setting it up like that will be, but should be in the ball park. Maybe someone that has done this will chime in and let us know. :lurk:
YBnormal...drive a vette
YBnormal...drive a vette
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Trailing arm alignment? (lou)
This is crude but it gets you really close. The spring is disconnected because you are working on the trailing arms. Set them on a block of wood so they are about ride height. Install the lug nuts, tighten but not really tight just hold the rotor on.
I use a lazer level , under $35. to project each rotor onto the front tire. Get them both roughly even.
If you can find anthing about 3 feet long that is straight clamp it to the bottom of the rotors , one on each side and measure with a ruler the toe, front and back.
With these simple things you can roughly but get close to setting the trailing arms to point straight ahead and set toe at the same time.
Work carefully, the accuracy depends on you.
When you take it too an alignment shop it is simple for them to fine tune.
I get carried away and bolt these plate, one to each side
Double click to enlarge
[Modified by norvalwilhelm, 9:59 PM 3/21/2004]
I use a lazer level , under $35. to project each rotor onto the front tire. Get them both roughly even.
If you can find anthing about 3 feet long that is straight clamp it to the bottom of the rotors , one on each side and measure with a ruler the toe, front and back.
With these simple things you can roughly but get close to setting the trailing arms to point straight ahead and set toe at the same time.
Work carefully, the accuracy depends on you.
When you take it too an alignment shop it is simple for them to fine tune.
I get carried away and bolt these plate, one to each side
Double click to enlarge
[Modified by norvalwilhelm, 9:59 PM 3/21/2004]
