Front End Alignment Advice
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- bikermike
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Front End Alignment Advice
I should have the front end back together today. While I had it torn apart I decided to install a set of Dean's super comp springs I had in the garage to give them a try.
Based on responses to my recent thread
http://311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=20845 and reading older threads, I intend to use longer screws for mounting upper A-arms and add a nut to them.
During the week or next weekend I'll get an alignment. I found this info in the techwiki:
http://www.311s.org/pmwiki-311/pmwiki.p ... dAlignment
and would like to gather feedback on which values you've had success with. I intend to just to do street driving and as a lot of you, I do enjoy the mountain twisties.
Stock Toe-in: 2~3 mm or 1/16~1/8 of an inch
Stock Camber: 1 degree
Stock Caster: 1 degree
Sprited Road Toe-in: 2~3 mm or 1/16~1/8 of an inch
Sprited Road Camber: 1 degree of negative camber
Sprited Road Caster: 2~3 degrees of positive caster
Racing Toe-in: 2~3 mm or 1/16~1/8 of an inch
Racing Camber: 2~2/12 degrees of negative camber
Racing Caster: 1~2 degrees of positive caster
I am considering going w/ the "spirited" values.
If anyone has a suggestion for an alignment shop in the San Jose area, pls let me know.
Thanks.
(edit 12/14/13 - re-installed stock springs)
Based on responses to my recent thread
http://311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=20845 and reading older threads, I intend to use longer screws for mounting upper A-arms and add a nut to them.
During the week or next weekend I'll get an alignment. I found this info in the techwiki:
http://www.311s.org/pmwiki-311/pmwiki.p ... dAlignment
and would like to gather feedback on which values you've had success with. I intend to just to do street driving and as a lot of you, I do enjoy the mountain twisties.
Stock Toe-in: 2~3 mm or 1/16~1/8 of an inch
Stock Camber: 1 degree
Stock Caster: 1 degree
Sprited Road Toe-in: 2~3 mm or 1/16~1/8 of an inch
Sprited Road Camber: 1 degree of negative camber
Sprited Road Caster: 2~3 degrees of positive caster
Racing Toe-in: 2~3 mm or 1/16~1/8 of an inch
Racing Camber: 2~2/12 degrees of negative camber
Racing Caster: 1~2 degrees of positive caster
I am considering going w/ the "spirited" values.
If anyone has a suggestion for an alignment shop in the San Jose area, pls let me know.
Thanks.
(edit 12/14/13 - re-installed stock springs)
Last edited by bikermike on Sun Dec 15, 2013 12:10 am, edited 1 time in total.
-Mike
1967.5 SPL311
1972 240z / L28
2003 BMW 525i Touring
2014 Jeep KL
1967.5 SPL311
1972 240z / L28
2003 BMW 525i Touring
2014 Jeep KL
- bikermike
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Re: Front End Alignment Advice
This has likely all been covered before, but I'll add here for reference.
Here is what other sources indicate:
Texaco maintenance sheet
http://www.311s.org/PDFs/Texaco%20Maint ... Sheets.pdf
Clymer's page 127
http://www.311s.org/PDFs/ClymerDatsun16 ... al32MB.pdf The good news is that the numbers for stock setup are all pretty close across the sources once you convert to the same units of measurement.
Here is what other sources indicate:
Texaco maintenance sheet
http://www.311s.org/PDFs/Texaco%20Maint ... Sheets.pdf
Clymer's page 127
http://www.311s.org/PDFs/ClymerDatsun16 ... al32MB.pdf The good news is that the numbers for stock setup are all pretty close across the sources once you convert to the same units of measurement.
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-Mike
1967.5 SPL311
1972 240z / L28
2003 BMW 525i Touring
2014 Jeep KL
1967.5 SPL311
1972 240z / L28
2003 BMW 525i Touring
2014 Jeep KL
- redroadster
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Re: Front End Alignment Advice
I would stay away from the negative camber as it can be less contact with the road on strong crowned roads and slightly more wear and tear on the frt. suspension. I would check the toe under load and toe out in turns too.
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- pebbles
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Re: Front End Alignment Advice
0 caster will increase steering ease at low speed, scary over 60 mph. Decreasing stability over 60 mph ( tail wag )
Positive caster will decrease steering ease at low speed, increasing stability over 60 mph.
Low speed ease or high speed stability, balance.
Positive caster will decrease steering ease at low speed, increasing stability over 60 mph.
Low speed ease or high speed stability, balance.
David
"When we were standing next to the motor while on the dyno, and the motor hit VVL, eyes went watery.."
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- dbrick
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Re: Front End Alignment Advice
I'm not 100%, been a while since school, but I think the alignment specs for narrow bias ply tires are not necessarily correct for modern radials and different wheel offsets. You might want to try get an alignment shop with classic car experience.
Dave Brisco
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- bikermike
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Re: Front End Alignment Advice
Thanks for the input so far. Any other suggestions?
I'm running stock wheels with recent 185/70/14's.
I'm running stock wheels with recent 185/70/14's.
-Mike
1967.5 SPL311
1972 240z / L28
2003 BMW 525i Touring
2014 Jeep KL
1967.5 SPL311
1972 240z / L28
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- shifty
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Re: Front End Alignment Advice
I went with Gordon's advice a few years ago. Can't find the link right now.
http://www.shiftco.com/features/zippy/zippy_057.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Here’s what the car went in with:
camber: left +.73, right +.36
caster: left .89, right 1.6
toe-in: left 11.6mm, right -5mm
And after:
camber: left -1.21, right -1.12
caster: left 3.45, right 3.46
toe-in: left 1mm, right 1mm
Big difference! The car really handles well now, turn-in is very tight and the car tracks straight and true!
http://www.shiftco.com/features/zippy/zippy_057.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Here’s what the car went in with:
camber: left +.73, right +.36
caster: left .89, right 1.6
toe-in: left 11.6mm, right -5mm
And after:
camber: left -1.21, right -1.12
caster: left 3.45, right 3.46
toe-in: left 1mm, right 1mm
Big difference! The car really handles well now, turn-in is very tight and the car tracks straight and true!
Leigh Brooks
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- st3ph3nm
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Re: Front End Alignment Advice
redroadster wrote:I would stay away from the negative camber as it can be less contact with the road on strong crowned roads and slightly more wear and tear on the frt. suspension. I would check the toe under load and toe out in turns too.
A small amount of negative camber won't do that. It will, however, give you a bigger contact patch on the outside front wheel when cornering. Nothing wrong with the Clymer suggestions even with modern tyres, IMHO - what I'm running would be similar, with perhaps a little more neg. camber, on Dunlop SPz1's.
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- pebbles
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Re: Front End Alignment Advice
bikermike wrote:Thanks for the input so far. Any other suggestions?
I'm running stock wheels with recent 185/70/14's.
Go with the low end of toe in.
Great idea by Shifty to record before and after. Zippy was a mess.
Interested to see what your dims are Mike.
David
"When we were standing next to the motor while on the dyno, and the motor hit VVL, eyes went watery.."
"When we were standing next to the motor while on the dyno, and the motor hit VVL, eyes went watery.."
- Skyman
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Re: Front End Alignment Advice
My alignment settings are below. Set up for spirited driving. I have had no issues running these settings including no uneven tread wear.
Camber -0.2
Caster 1.9
Toe 0.07
Camber -0.2
Caster 1.9
Toe 0.07
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- bikermike
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Re: Front End Alignment Advice
Thanks guys. I stopped by the mechanic I use from time to time for my daily driver. He had a Groupon deal for an alignment for $40. Unfortunately his machine did not have the Roadster in the system and he could not manually enter settings. There is another shop close to home that I'll try next week.
-Mike
1967.5 SPL311
1972 240z / L28
2003 BMW 525i Touring
2014 Jeep KL
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2003 BMW 525i Touring
2014 Jeep KL
- datsunrides
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Re: Front End Alignment Advice
I used the following and it tracks well and has a nice on center feel and responsiveness
-1 degree camber
+ 1.5 caster
.2 degree toe in
Mark
-1 degree camber
+ 1.5 caster
.2 degree toe in
Mark
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- Rhänne
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Re: Front End Alignment Advice
Hey guys,
thanks for your posts, they´re very interesting!
I find out how to adjust camber.
Could castor adjust by different shims on left and right screw - I mean on the upper wishbone, not driver and passenger side of course![Wink ;-)](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
How to adjust Toe?
How many mm of shims do you use for -1°
Thanks!
thanks for your posts, they´re very interesting!
I find out how to adjust camber.
Could castor adjust by different shims on left and right screw - I mean on the upper wishbone, not driver and passenger side of course
![Wink ;-)](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
How to adjust Toe?
How many mm of shims do you use for -1°
Thanks!
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Progress [---------X--------------------------------]
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Progress [---------X--------------------------------]
- bmccarthy67
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Re: Front End Alignment Advice
Center Link...bar up front by your sway bar...connects your steering box to the idle box. Loosen lock nuts turn desired TOE direction (point leading edge of wheels in or out).
![Image](http://www.mydatsun.com/images/7%20copmp%20sway%20bar%20%28Custom%29.jpg)
v/r
Buddy
![Image](http://www.mydatsun.com/images/7%20copmp%20sway%20bar%20%28Custom%29.jpg)
v/r
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- spl310
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Re: Front End Alignment Advice
I think it is trial and error - depending on the thickness of the shims.Rhänne wrote:Hey guys,
thanks for your posts, they´re very interesting!
I find out how to adjust camber.
Could castor adjust by different shims on left and right screw - I mean on the upper wishbone, not driver and passenger side of course
How to adjust Toe?
How many mm of shims do you use for -1°
Thanks!
"Wow, a Roadster!" Stuart Little
1967.5 2000
1967.5 2000
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1964 1500
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1967.5 2000
1967.5 2000
1964 1500
1964 1500
1967.5 1600
1968 chassis
2006 Acura MDX
2013 Volkswagen Jetta TDI wagon
1995 F350 Powerstroke!
More...