Know any alignment tricks?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 265
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From: Levelland, TX USA
Know any alignment tricks?
Do any of you have a cure for road walking? In previous posts, i gathered the suggestions about inc/caster to +5.5-6 deg and .5-1 deg neg camber. This actually helped a lot with staying put on pretty good roads. It stopped following every little line in the pavement. But, when i get near a raised ridge or change lanes where there is a bit of rise, it's still scary. I have had all components checked and are good. I drive an 89 convertible with 34k miles, never been hit. I have new shocks (probably didn't need to change) and Yokohamas w/10k mi. I have driven a lot of high perf. cars very fast, but this one concerns me. I don't like the thought of this happening at 120 mph. Some people have suggested that it's the nature of the beast. I sure hope not.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Austin, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Houston, Dallas, Hong Kong, Elgin, etc.. Texas
Re: Know any alignment tricks? (Darrell G)
Caster and camber seem to be good. But have you check toe-in?
There are lots of suggestions around, but according to the 1996 shop manual, both front and rear toe should be set at zero degrees (+-0.1 degrees).
However, when I set the rear to zero toe, it was a little scary are you described.
I have since set front and rear to a total of 1/8th inch total and it feels fine now.
There are lots of suggestions around, but according to the 1996 shop manual, both front and rear toe should be set at zero degrees (+-0.1 degrees).
However, when I set the rear to zero toe, it was a little scary are you described.
I have since set front and rear to a total of 1/8th inch total and it feels fine now.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Levelland, TX USA
Re: Know any alignment tricks? (Mez)
Mez, thanks for the suggestion. I am willing to try almost anything. Did you notice significant change in steering effort or tire wear? Did you make any other modifications from stock on the rear alignment?
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 3
From: Austin, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Houston, Dallas, Hong Kong, Elgin, etc.. Texas
Re: Know any alignment tricks? (Darrell G)
No wear issues but I don't drive all the time.
The steering may feel a little tighter but that is not bad. During my adjustment period, I tried a number of setting in the rear. I was not happy at all with zero toe as it actually can go toe in and toe out depending on the bushing deflection at any moment in time. The rear seems to have mind of its own. If you autocross, a slight toe out helps make the car quicker on turn in. However, on the street its not much fun.
Once I gave it a slight toe in front and rear, it felt much tighter and less darty. Its all a matter of trial and error to get what you like.
The steering may feel a little tighter but that is not bad. During my adjustment period, I tried a number of setting in the rear. I was not happy at all with zero toe as it actually can go toe in and toe out depending on the bushing deflection at any moment in time. The rear seems to have mind of its own. If you autocross, a slight toe out helps make the car quicker on turn in. However, on the street its not much fun.
Once I gave it a slight toe in front and rear, it felt much tighter and less darty. Its all a matter of trial and error to get what you like.
