alignment
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- shifty
- Roadster Enthusiast
- Posts: 1166
- Joined: Mon Dec 20, 2004 10:56 am
- Location: Portland, OR
- Contact:
alignment
On Gordon Glasgow's recommendation I got an alignment done at Tru-Line Frame and Wheel here in Seattle. Very professional shop, there were Maseratis and Ferraris, etc. everywhere.
Here are Gordon's recommended specs:
camber: -1 degree
caster: 2.5 - 3 degrees +
toe-in: 1/16 - 1/8"
Here's what my 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
WOW! Big difference in handling. Can't wait to flog it and really feel the difference.
They had to replace the upper control arm bolts with longer ones to meet the specs.
Here are Gordon's recommended specs:
camber: -1 degree
caster: 2.5 - 3 degrees +
toe-in: 1/16 - 1/8"
Here's what my 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
WOW! Big difference in handling. Can't wait to flog it and really feel the difference.
They had to replace the upper control arm bolts with longer ones to meet the specs.
Leigh Brooks
http://www.shiftco.com - my blog about cars (and stuff)
Latest post: http://www.shiftco.com/radios/the-test-mule/
67.5 SRL-00139 sleeping
67.5 SPL-11481 suspended animation
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67.5 SPL-13622 - H20 PWR!
http://www.shiftco.com - my blog about cars (and stuff)
Latest post: http://www.shiftco.com/radios/the-test-mule/
67.5 SRL-00139 sleeping
67.5 SPL-11481 suspended animation
67.5 SPL-12961 snoring
67.5 SPL-13622 - H20 PWR!
- Linda
- Fraternal Den Mother-RIP
- Posts: 7807
- Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2005 11:37 pm
- Location: Los Angeles
- Model: 1500/1600
- Year: High Windshield-68-70
I'm going to try to get an alignment soon I hope on my car, and found this post. Should there be this small variation in the final alignment as in the case posted here? A good alignment shop would figure this out or would a "computerized" alignment like many tire shops do be OK?
Like most things for the Roadster I think there is "more to it" than I know about so hope someone can help enlighten me.
Thanks as always,
Linda
68 1600
Like most things for the Roadster I think there is "more to it" than I know about so hope someone can help enlighten me.
Thanks as always,
Linda
68 1600
- Linda
- Fraternal Den Mother-RIP
- Posts: 7807
- Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2005 11:37 pm
- Location: Los Angeles
- Model: 1500/1600
- Year: High Windshield-68-70
Re: alignment
Are these still the preferred alignment specs? What is everyone using?
Linda
Linda
Sadly-Linda has passed away 2022. She was the 311's den mother and drove the first Rare-Parts ball joint project. RIP.
- bobd
- Roadster Nut-Site Supporter
- Posts: 456
- Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2008 12:46 pm
- Location: Lakeland, FL
- Model: 2000
- Year: High Windshield-68-70
Re: alignment
The guy that did my original alignment retired and none of the places with computer alignment machines wanted to touch it. The specs weren't in their computers & one guy told me he had no clue how to adjust, but he did give me a print out of the alignment. Another guy had a clue, but his clue told him it was too much work.
So I bought a caster/camber gauge and some toe plates and went to town. My first attempt was in the ball park, it drove straight and did not pull or drift.
A couple of months later I installed JT's front shocks and gave the alignment another try. I made an Excel spread sheet to organize the measurements and keep track of the spacer measurements - this was way better than my previous scribbling.
This is what I wound up with (both sides equal):
Caster - +1 degree
Camber - +3/4 degree
Toe in - 1/16"
Upper A arm shims:
Left Front 0 Rear 1/4"
Right Front 0 Rear 1/16"
I am happy with the handling and tracking at these settings using comp front springs and sway bar.
Done on the floor with garbage bags for turn plates and a floor jack.
Combining the specs for stock, spirited, and racing we get a range:
Caster - +1 ~ +2 degrees
Camber - +1 ~ -2 1/2 degrees
Toe in - 1/16 ~ 1/8"
So I bought a caster/camber gauge and some toe plates and went to town. My first attempt was in the ball park, it drove straight and did not pull or drift.
A couple of months later I installed JT's front shocks and gave the alignment another try. I made an Excel spread sheet to organize the measurements and keep track of the spacer measurements - this was way better than my previous scribbling.
This is what I wound up with (both sides equal):
Caster - +1 degree
Camber - +3/4 degree
Toe in - 1/16"
Upper A arm shims:
Left Front 0 Rear 1/4"
Right Front 0 Rear 1/16"
I am happy with the handling and tracking at these settings using comp front springs and sway bar.
Done on the floor with garbage bags for turn plates and a floor jack.
Combining the specs for stock, spirited, and racing we get a range:
Caster - +1 ~ +2 degrees
Camber - +1 ~ -2 1/2 degrees
Toe in - 1/16 ~ 1/8"
'69 1600 with SR20DE
- fj20spl311
- Roadsteraholic
- Posts: 5009
- Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2005 3:54 pm
- Location: San Diego, Ca
Re: alignment
I think you want more than +3/4 degree caster.
Caster is what gives straight line stability and return to center steering. It also compensates for camber loss from the inclined steering angle aka King pin angle. The KPA for the roadster is 8 degrees, race setting from 50% to 100% of KPA for caster.
Caster is what gives straight line stability and return to center steering. It also compensates for camber loss from the inclined steering angle aka King pin angle. The KPA for the roadster is 8 degrees, race setting from 50% to 100% of KPA for caster.
Phil
67.5 SRL311-00148 Blue (FJ cruiser VOODOO Blue)
67.5 SPL311 FJ20E teal SDS EFI
69 SRL311 SOLD
19 Raptor SCAB
67.5 SRL311-00148 Blue (FJ cruiser VOODOO Blue)
67.5 SPL311 FJ20E teal SDS EFI
69 SRL311 SOLD
19 Raptor SCAB
- bobd
- Roadster Nut-Site Supporter
- Posts: 456
- Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2008 12:46 pm
- Location: Lakeland, FL
- Model: 2000
- Year: High Windshield-68-70
Re: alignment
Caster is +1 degree. I'm going by the specs in the wiki:
Should I not use these specs?
Should I not use these specs?
'69 1600 with SR20DE
- fj20spl311
- Roadsteraholic
- Posts: 5009
- Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2005 3:54 pm
- Location: San Diego, Ca
Re: alignment
Caster is a trade off between how much steering effort and much self centering.
Phil
67.5 SRL311-00148 Blue (FJ cruiser VOODOO Blue)
67.5 SPL311 FJ20E teal SDS EFI
69 SRL311 SOLD
19 Raptor SCAB
67.5 SRL311-00148 Blue (FJ cruiser VOODOO Blue)
67.5 SPL311 FJ20E teal SDS EFI
69 SRL311 SOLD
19 Raptor SCAB
- bikermike
- Site Supporter
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- Location: Denver Area, CO
- Model: 1500/1600
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Re: alignment
A related past discussion:
http://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.ph ... nt#p182116
http://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.ph ... nt#p182116
-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
- Roadsteraholic
- Posts: 2408
- Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2013 10:58 am
- Location: KCMO
- Model: 1500/1600
- Year: High Windshield-68-70
Re: alignment
I built a alignment system, memicing a popular 70s system, using those dollar store lasers
You need very free turntables , ( it would not do a mini truck , to stiff) havent used it lately ,but still have it
usually you want a quarter more caster on the R Side to correct road crown , caster is a turning force
You need very free turntables , ( it would not do a mini truck , to stiff) havent used it lately ,but still have it
usually you want a quarter more caster on the R Side to correct road crown , caster is a turning force
Datsun dealer tech 76 to 87
Mitsubishi tech 9 yrs
Volvo, Kia, Toyota too
6 month - Rolls Royce
ASE MASTER TECH 96. - 11
70 SPL 86 Z31 T , Sportster
Mitsubishi tech 9 yrs
Volvo, Kia, Toyota too
6 month - Rolls Royce
ASE MASTER TECH 96. - 11
70 SPL 86 Z31 T , Sportster
- fj20spl311
- Roadsteraholic
- Posts: 5009
- Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2005 3:54 pm
- Location: San Diego, Ca
Re: alignment
original specs. are for "Bias Ply Tire"
Phil
67.5 SRL311-00148 Blue (FJ cruiser VOODOO Blue)
67.5 SPL311 FJ20E teal SDS EFI
69 SRL311 SOLD
19 Raptor SCAB
67.5 SRL311-00148 Blue (FJ cruiser VOODOO Blue)
67.5 SPL311 FJ20E teal SDS EFI
69 SRL311 SOLD
19 Raptor SCAB