alignment without body on, a good idea?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Terre Haute in
alignment without body on, a good idea?
After i finish the frame, and get it all back to gether, i was thinkning about setting the motor/tranny back in, and having it aligned. IS this a good idea, or am i wasting my time by not having the body on it for the proper weight/ride height?
Thanks,
MAtt
Thanks,
MAtt
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
Re: alignment without body on, a good idea? (Fevre)
Correct. It would be a waste of money. Camber and toe changes with ride height and would be totally different with the body on.
Assemble car to the point that you have all the heavy stuff in and then use a level and set the camber yourself. Just hold the level to the tires and shim to make them vertical (zero camber) on all 4 wheels. Use 2 wooden or metal rods to measure toe and set to 1/8" less in front of tire than rear. This will be good enough to drive to a shop without damaging the tires.
Assemble car to the point that you have all the heavy stuff in and then use a level and set the camber yourself. Just hold the level to the tires and shim to make them vertical (zero camber) on all 4 wheels. Use 2 wooden or metal rods to measure toe and set to 1/8" less in front of tire than rear. This will be good enough to drive to a shop without damaging the tires.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 2
From: Apex NC
Re: alignment without body on, a good idea? (Fevre)
:iagree: The alignment cannot be accurately set without the frame at loaded ride height. You should not torque the front control arm end bolts until the car is resting on the wheels at the correct ride height.
You could attempt to load the frame to get the correct height, then set the alignment, but that's alot of work for minimal gain.
You could attempt to load the frame to get the correct height, then set the alignment, but that's alot of work for minimal gain.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Terre Haute in
Re: alignment without body on, a good idea? (sb69coupe)
Zwede,
Thanks for the tips on the intial settings! Those will help. I was just wanting to get as much done on the frame before i set the body on, ut i understand why not to do the total alignment.
Thanks for all the input!
MAtt
Thanks for the tips on the intial settings! Those will help. I was just wanting to get as much done on the frame before i set the body on, ut i understand why not to do the total alignment.
Thanks for all the input!
MAtt
