1985 suspension alignment
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,141
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From: Santa Maria, CA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 76
From: Santa Maria, CA
An alignment consists of adjustments for caster, camber and toe. On the front, caster and camber are adjusted by installing shims where the upper control arm bolts to the chassis. On the rear, camber is adjusted using the large bolt that attaches the arm to the differential. Toe is adjusted on the front and rear by removing the outer end of the toe rods from the knuckles and screwing the toe rod end in or out to lengthen or shorten.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,141
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From: Santa Maria, CA
Rear spring ride height can be lowered by purchasing longer bolts.
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All alignment procedures are a change of the relationship of "suspension" components to one another. The result is wheel/tire placement but it's "suspension" changes that accomplished it!
The rear spring is adjusted for height control at the center mount to the differential cover. That is generally a "one time" procedure unless there's a desire to either raise or lower the rear, the bolts on the ends can be used to further "tune/trim" the height, that doesn't generally require an alignment!
Last edited by WVZR-1; Oct 5, 2013 at 08:58 PM.
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Granted its suspension that wears and causes the need for an "alignment", BUT, its a Wheel alignment that takes place....
this is done by adjustment of supporting structures that are PART of the suspension, BUT, the actual suspension has a design purpose of shock absorbing, leveling the chassis, maintaining tire contact with a varying road surface....up/down motions, NOT angular or lateral. That is steering or wheel position, hence the term 4-wheel alignment.
In almost 60 yrs I have never heard anyone refer to it as a "suspension alignment" because that's simply incorrect for the actions that take place in the alignment process. what's actually being "aligned" ? ?
Its wheels that get aligned.
Rear spring can be somewhat adjusted. That's NOT aligning anything. You can also adjust valve springs...and again, never heard of anyone "aligning their rockers and valves"....they always adjust them.
lets do this....call every shop in town and inquire about a suspension alignment. Count the responses...
1 huh?
2 what?
3 say again?
4suspension alignment?
5 you mean a wheel alignment, don't you?
6. lemme get the manager for you
the BIG money bet is on #1 by 10:1
this is done by adjustment of supporting structures that are PART of the suspension, BUT, the actual suspension has a design purpose of shock absorbing, leveling the chassis, maintaining tire contact with a varying road surface....up/down motions, NOT angular or lateral. That is steering or wheel position, hence the term 4-wheel alignment.
In almost 60 yrs I have never heard anyone refer to it as a "suspension alignment" because that's simply incorrect for the actions that take place in the alignment process. what's actually being "aligned" ? ?
Its wheels that get aligned.
Rear spring can be somewhat adjusted. That's NOT aligning anything. You can also adjust valve springs...and again, never heard of anyone "aligning their rockers and valves"....they always adjust them.
lets do this....call every shop in town and inquire about a suspension alignment. Count the responses...
1 huh?
2 what?
3 say again?
4suspension alignment?
5 you mean a wheel alignment, don't you?
6. lemme get the manager for you
the BIG money bet is on #1 by 10:1
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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And the response to (1) huh? - I know I've called the wrong shop or maybe the shop has "your cousin" on the phone! They need someone a bit more "professional" on the phone if in fact they do quality work. (2) & (3) you've got another cousin in town doing something he shouldn't be doing and finally if that's the response you got from any of the calls you just move on and find a maybe reputable shop. Obviously "the cousins" don't "geet it"!
(4) then I explain & he responds - judge from the response
(5) an opportunity for a conversation could be productive
(6) your "cousins" could learn from the experience - it could be their "first response when answering the call"
OP - your question wasn't foolish and with your present predicament I'd say it was a reasonable question. You're learning - that's good! There's no foolish question - maybe foolish responses to an intelligent question.
Hang in there!
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
But there are shops today that will tell customers they are doing a "4-wheel alignment" and all the shop does is to adjust front toe and maybe camber. That's called a "toe and go" and is a rip-off.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,141
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From: Santa Maria, CA
Decent alignment shops will provide the before and after numbers. So you'll know it's within spec at all 4 corners.
What is odd about the 85 is the specs provided in the FSM that the alignment shops use. They actually specify positive camber at the rear. When I had mine aligned following a complete suspension overhaul I provided the shop with the specs I wanted them to use.
What is odd about the 85 is the specs provided in the FSM that the alignment shops use. They actually specify positive camber at the rear. When I had mine aligned following a complete suspension overhaul I provided the shop with the specs I wanted them to use.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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I remember that too. But back then, the rear ends were fixed in place either by leaf springs or coils and 4-link bars and sometimes a panhard bar. No adjustments at all in the rear unless rubber bushings were shot and needed to be replaced (which isn't really a rear alignment)
But there are shops today that will tell customers they are doing a "4-wheel alignment" and all the shop does is to adjust front toe and maybe camber. That's called a "toe and go" and is a rip-off.
But there are shops today that will tell customers they are doing a "4-wheel alignment" and all the shop does is to adjust front toe and maybe camber. That's called a "toe and go" and is a rip-off.
Why the "implied" rip-offs? Perhaps you've been a "victim"? Are there "rip-offs"? For nearly every service that is offered for nearly any product that you can think of YES there are "rip-offs" BUT there's also quality service that is explained to the consumer if: 1 - they'll listen 2 - maybe read what's presented
To many in "way to big a hurry"!
Last edited by WVZR-1; Oct 6, 2013 at 12:18 PM.