Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Front end alignment #75818
06/18/08 11:55 PM
06/18/08 11:55 PM
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 79
SE, Pa
Hotwheel Offline OP
member
Hotwheel  Offline OP
member

Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 79
SE, Pa
Does anyone know if there are different settings for front end alignment between radials and non radials. I want to get my 70 GTX lined up and it has TA radials on it now, but I've been thinking of putting on a set of GY polyglass repose.


09 Challenger B5 Classic 78 Magnum GT Check out my Website http://home.comcast.net/~tlyerk/troy1.html
Re: Front end alignment [Re: Hotwheel] #75819
06/19/08 12:38 AM
06/19/08 12:38 AM
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 9,312
SoCal
68HemiB Offline
master
68HemiB  Offline
master

Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 9,312
SoCal
IMO... (and there will be others)

No difference if the tires are about the same height.

But, getting as much positive caster as possible will be especially important with the bias ply tires, given their tendency to follow every groove in the road.



Down to just a blue car now.
Re: Front end alignment [Re: 68HemiB] #75820
06/19/08 10:08 AM
06/19/08 10:08 AM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,545
Seattle, WA
3
375inStroke Offline
Special needs person
375inStroke  Offline
Special needs person
3

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,545
Seattle, WA
Why do the factory specs call out for positive camber and negative caster? The hardest time to turn is at a complete stop, and the negative caster can't help with that.

Re: Front end alignment [Re: Hotwheel] #75821
06/19/08 10:32 AM
06/19/08 10:32 AM
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 21,827
Kirkland, Washington
Pacnorthcuda Offline
Too Many Posts
Pacnorthcuda  Offline
Too Many Posts

Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 21,827
Kirkland, Washington
I don't believe the factory ever came out with a radial specification for the older cars. the general thinking is to get as much postive caster as possible (which sometimes isn't much) and .5-1.0 negative camber.

Re: Front end alignment [Re: Pacnorthcuda] #75822
06/19/08 12:19 PM
06/19/08 12:19 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041
Lincoln Nebraska
R
RapidRobert Offline
Circle Track
RapidRobert  Offline
Circle Track
R

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041
Lincoln Nebraska
hardest part is finding a friendly shop that will take their time & get it where you want it. Some folded green works wonders.that & I set 180 lbs of weights in the drivers seat & less important A half tank of gas,I want it perfect.


live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
Re: Front end alignment [Re: RapidRobert] #75823
06/19/08 02:38 PM
06/19/08 02:38 PM
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 79
SE, Pa
Hotwheel Offline OP
member
Hotwheel  Offline OP
member

Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 79
SE, Pa
Yeah, I no what you mean about finding someone who knows what their doing. I took my 78 Magnum to a shop that I deal with though work for various things, anyway made the appointment and told the guy I want to wait with the car, when I get there the 25/30 year old alignment guy comes out looks at the car, looks at me and back at the car and says's what the heck is this. I thought, great this is going to be a waste of money. I said did you every do a Mopar with torsion bars, he said no but there's a first time for everything. He did end up doing a good job.
I want to take my GTX and get it done, but I was thinking about the repro G/Y's but I can't get myself to spend the $ right now. I just didn't want to waste the alignment if there is a different tweak between bias and radial, because if I ask at the shop he probably won't even know what a bias tire is.


09 Challenger B5 Classic 78 Magnum GT Check out my Website http://home.comcast.net/~tlyerk/troy1.html
Re: Front end alignment [Re: Hotwheel] #75824
06/19/08 02:41 PM
06/19/08 02:41 PM
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 21,827
Kirkland, Washington
Pacnorthcuda Offline
Too Many Posts
Pacnorthcuda  Offline
Too Many Posts

Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 21,827
Kirkland, Washington
I like to set MY OWN ride height. Get it were I want, then take it in and tell them not to touch the torsion adjustment (and you're right, many start looking puzzled at that point).

Actually, so far, I have always been able to get in there with the tech, but I know thats tough to do these days.

Re: Front end alignment [Re: 375inStroke] #75825
06/19/08 05:03 PM
06/19/08 05:03 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,314
Carstairs, Alberta, Canada
dave571 Offline
master
dave571  Offline
master

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,314
Carstairs, Alberta, Canada
Quote:

Why do the factory specs call out for positive camber and negative caster? The hardest time to turn is at a complete stop, and the negative caster can't help with that.




A negative caster car is MUCH easier to steer at low speed.

Also much more unstable at high speed.

I run manual steering on my 330, and with 3 degrees of caster it is a pig to park

Re: Front end alignment [Re: dave571] #75826
06/21/08 09:13 PM
06/21/08 09:13 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,791
Hamilton, Ontario Canada
Magnum Offline
master
Magnum  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,791
Hamilton, Ontario Canada
If you want to take Pacnorthcuda's advice a step further. Set the toe yourself and make sure the tie rod assemblies are equal length. This will center the centerlink, few technicians will take the time to do or check that. Understandable since few cars need that.

As for caster. Another vote here for as much positive as possible. Parking is a minor drawback to a good tracking car. It's too bad few Mopars will even go positive without some tricks.


69 Super Bee, 93 Mustang LX, 04 Allure Super
Re: Front end alignment [Re: Magnum] #75827
06/21/08 09:56 PM
06/21/08 09:56 PM
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 79
SE, Pa
Hotwheel Offline OP
member
Hotwheel  Offline OP
member

Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 79
SE, Pa
Quote:

If you want to take Pacnorthcuda's advice a step further. Set the toe yourself and make sure the tie rod assemblies are equal length. This will center the centerlink, few technicians will take the time to do or check that. Understandable since few cars need that.





Won't the link be centerd if the steering wheel is straight?


09 Challenger B5 Classic 78 Magnum GT Check out my Website http://home.comcast.net/~tlyerk/troy1.html






Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1