Thread: Alignment Spec Help

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I am sure this has been asked and gone over multiple times before, but after much searching I can't find the answer.

I have a 37 Chevy 5 window coupe with a 78 Mustang 2 front end. I just changed everything under the front, all new A-arms, strut rids, ball joints, tie rods, everything. I called down and asked the aligment shop if they could do it and they said sure, just bring the specs......hmmmmm

So do I use standard specs form a M2, or something different? Car does not have power steering, beyond that standard M2 equipment.

Any help is appreciated.

Brett

Brett,
Are you running an OEM '78 Mustang II front end or aftermarket? If OEM then they should be able to plug in a '78 Mustang and be OK. If aftermarket hardware you should probably check with the manufacturer to see if he has anything special in his caster values. Barring that the basics for a Mustang II front end are in the order of 1/2 degree camber on the left, 1/8 degree on the right, 1 1/4 degree caster on the left, 1 1/2 degree on the right, and zero toe with radial tires unless you are getting bump steer. A good front end guy should be able to set you up if you just tell him what you have in hardware.

Here's a copy of Heidt's installation guide, see the last page for alignment specs: http://www.heidts.com/_uploaded_files/in-007.pdf

Even if yours isn't a Heidt's specs are MII based.

Brett, You need to find someone that knows alignment. Most of these guys are hired off the street and sent to the school offered by the equipment manufacturer for what is in their shop where he or she will be working. Talk to your local hot rod shop and see who they would recommend. Hopefully you have one close by.

Originally Posted by sfort

Brett, You need to find someone that knows alignment. Most of these guys are hired off the street and sent to the school offered by the equipment manufacturer for what is in their shop where he or she will be working. Talk to your local hot rod shop and see who they would recommend. Hopefully you have one close by.

Very good point!!!! Do some shopping around and find an alignment shop and operator who actually knows about alignment and suspension and not just what the computer sez!!!! If the shop sez for you to bring the specs, I'd keep looking!!!!

The specs you use should also be dependent on how you drive the car...if you're going to be doing some high speed driving or a bit of drag racing, it's nice to have a bit of extra caster, on the drag strip, you'll want your camber even from side to side, and not set to compensate for the road crown!

If the alignment shop doesn't know these things, you're in the wrong shop!!!!

I appreciate the information. I am trying to use a shop that is close as i just replaced everything under the front, so don't want to drive it too far, and don't have a trailer. I may have it closer than I think, but I doubt it. I tryed to measure everything before i took it all apart, but was just using rough measurements.

Yes everything is OEM, no it will no tbe on a track, and 60-70 will probably be top speed, maybe a few faster blasts, but not much. I will do some looking around, there are a couple rod shops within 30 miles or so, will give them a call and see what they say.

Again, I appreciate the info.

Originally Posted by sfort

Brett, You need to find someone that knows alignment. Most of these guys are hired off the street and sent to the school offered by the equipment manufacturer for what is in their shop where he or she will be working. Talk to your local hot rod shop and see who they would recommend. Hopefully you have one close by.

Toms Brake and Alignment on Belknap St in either Ft Worth or Haltom City(right on the edge)....best shop in N Texas for hot rods, pro mods, or anything else we motorheads like

Originally Posted by whistlebritches

Toms Brake and Alignment on Belknap St in either Ft Worth or Haltom City(right on the edge)....best shop in N Texas for hot rods, pro mods, or anything else we motorheads like

But he's in NC, not Texas????

:d .... :d

Once you get it on the road you will know pretty quick if a 30 mile trek is going to be a problem. If you measured and put it back close should be good enough to get it there. I would not take a major freeway. I measured and took pictures of the mounting of the upper A frames. Got the tires straight and that worked for me.

Brett,

A couple of other things before you go to the alignment shop. Make sure you've gotten everything finished or set as to the car's final ride height before you go through an alignment. If you are going to change tire size height (big & littles), adjust coil overs, or have air ride, these will affect the rake of your car which affects the caster.

Also make sure that you've gotten the "stop-to-stop" of your steering centered (with wheels pointed straight ahead at steering center) or you could end up with bump-steer. This is something your alignment shop might not check for you.

Dan

x 2, good advice

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Very good point!!!! Do some shopping around and find an alignment shop and operator who actually knows about alignment and suspension and not just what the computer sez!!!! If the shop sez for you to bring the specs, I'd keep looking!!!!

The specs you use should also be dependent on how you drive the car...if you're going to be doing some high speed driving or a bit of drag racing, it's nice to have a bit of extra caster, on the drag strip, you'll want your camber even from side to side, and not set to compensate for the road crown!

If the alignment shop doesn't know these things, you're in the wrong shop!!!!

Originally Posted by Dan J

Brett,

Also make sure that you've got the "stop-to-stop" of your steering centered or you'll end up with bump-steer. This is something your alignment shop might not check for you.

Dan

Centering the stop to stop, has nothing to do with bump steer. totally different things.

Pat

Originally Posted by HemiTCoupe

Centering the stop to stop, has nothing to do with bump steer. totally different things.

Pat

I beg your pardon, but I do believe that if the tie rods are at different lengths (tie rod ends adjusted in on one side and out on the other) from the rack, you are certainly going to have some strange handling problems with the steering as you travel over rough terrain or uneven roadways... what I call bump steer.

Dan

Follow Up, talked with a different shop on Friday. The owner said that he had an old school alignment guy that could certainly take care of me, but that he was out for medical reasons for a few days. He said he had a younger alignement guy, but he could only set per spec and the machine. He said his other guy did all the rods around here and was very capable. So will check in with them again in a few days.
Thanks, fo rthe help, suggestions and teachings.