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B body guys, need some front end measurements

Posted By: ruderunner

B body guys, need some front end measurements - 04/18/16 11:32 PM

Long story short, about 2 years ago my Roadrunner went uh off road. Now Im getting around to fixing it and have run into a problem.

Basically something is bent in the front end but I can't tell what. Right now I have 3" of toe in and I don't think I'll be able to get is anywhere close with what adjustment is left in the tie rods. It also appears to have extreme positive camber but that may be an illusion from the way out toe.

Nothing jumps out as being bent, upper cams are about right (rear cams in, front cams near center) Lower arms are the same length. Steerign wheel is a quarter turn to the right. I have the 74 up C body tie rods on it.

I'm wondering if anyone can get the following measurements:
center link from tie rod stud to tie rod stud
center of lower control arm shaft to lower control arm shaft
lower ball joint grease fitting to grease fitting

Is the center link straight between the dog leg ends?

I have changed the rims ( one was bent) and I'm going to dig around in the shed for some used lower ball joints and stock tie rods for comparision.

A bit more background: sometime in the late 60's or early 70's this car was hit hard in the passenger a pillar, but I was previously able to get a good alignment despite that (previous numbers were 1/16 toe in, -.5 camber and 2.5 caster using Moog offset uper bushings) That accident damage entailed a fender, door, passenger rocker and part of the firewall, that hit actually buckled the dashboard at the door. I'm wondering if the centerlink may have been bent all this time.

I'd take it to a shop but I literally cant get to the end of my driveway with it the way it is.
Posted By: ruderunner

Re: B body guys, need some front end measurements - 04/19/16 06:22 PM

Bump...
Posted By: DARTH V8Я

Re: B body guys, need some front end measurements - 04/19/16 06:55 PM

C/L is straight. LCA is probably bent. Shought be able to get the tire in enough to drive it.
Posted By: skicker

Re: B body guys, need some front end measurements - 04/19/16 10:48 PM

Sounds to me like one of the spindle arms (LBJ'S) is bent. Measure from the same spot of the backing plate or rotor to the center of the hole for the tie rod on both sides and see if they're the same. twocents
I used to race dirt cars and these got bent all the time with a side impact to the spindle... shruggy
Posted By: ruderunner

Re: B body guys, need some front end measurements - 04/20/16 11:47 AM

Thanks for the information. I actually got the toe pretty close last night. Passenger tie rod just about bottomed and driver side has say 3 turns left.

Was able to get it around the block. Camber is close again.

Looks like the k frame got shifted a bit to the left.

I'm gonna talk to a couple alignment shops to see if they can get me readings especially SAI and toe out on turns. That will help pinpoint what the problem is.
As for bent lower arm, anybody have a spec on length?

Steering arms are both about 1" clearance to the wheels.
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