Alignment help needed.

[3drburb]

Hi guys, I'm needing some help. Yesterday I cut one full coil off the front of my 72 Suburban and added new shocks. I drives great now and I'll be adding an anti sway bar and 2" rear blocks this weekend.
The problem is I'm 1/2 inch out of alignment but don't have the bolt space to add the shims. Whats are you guys doing or what is the best way to fix this other than going to a shop?
Thanks for your help.

[3drburb]

Well I'm guessing that a 1/2 inch off in alignment should not be much if any of a concern.

[cdowns]

either go to a good alignment place or buy tires frequently

[tinydb84]

You can buy longer bolts for up top. You can also section the lower control arms if you know how to weld.

[Custom 68]

1/2 inch out of where? front to rear or what? I have always seen the alignment information done in degrees?

[BMERDOC]

It has been my experience that the stock specs absolutely stink. Leave ALL the shims out and ask the alignment shop to dial in as much negative camber and as much positive caster as possible. Essentially, they'll be evening out the spec on both sides which will greatly minimize shims. Have them set the toe to 0°.

[3drburb]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

You can buy longer bolts for up top. You can also section the lower control arms if you know how to weld.

Thanks you, I'll be looking into the longer bolts first. I prefer not to cut and weld the LCA.

[3drburb]

[QUOTE=Custom 68;6022134]1/2 inch out of where? front to rear or what? I have always seen the alignment information done in degrees?[/QUOTE


The front wheels camber in at the top a 1/2 inch after the drop. This is the measurement I got on both sides after using a large square on a very level surface, pulling off the wheel rings and then measuring not letting the square touch the tire. Thanks

[3drburb]

Originally Posted by BMERDOC

It has been my experience that the stock specs absolutely stink. Leave ALL the shims out and ask the alignment shop to dial in as much negative camber and as much positive caster as possible. Essentially, they'll be evening out the spec on both sides which will greatly minimize shims. Have them set the toe to 0°.

Thanks for the advise, pulling out all the shims and taking it to a shop may be a good way for me to go, the last time I needed an alignment on anther car it took the store 2 time to get it right.

[Rufton]

Originally Posted by BMERDOC

It has been my experience that the stock specs absolutely stink. Leave ALL the shims out and ask the alignment shop to dial in as much negative camber and as much positive caster as possible. Essentially, they'll be evening out the spec on both sides which will greatly minimize shims. Have them set the toe to 0°.

Toe in keeps steering components in compression which helps w/ control and tracking; especially if there is any play. I wouldn't recommend less than 1/16" toe in except in some racing applications.

Many older vehicles lack the tuning range to remove all shims, but starting from zero shims might not be a bad idea. The tech might not appreciate it though.

If dial in too much positive caster the LCR may wear out very quick. You should fully stroke suspension to verify out of spec LCR doesn't bind.

Good luck finding an alignment shop that can shim, caster and camber an old vehicle. I gave up and do my own alignments now.

[Custom 68]

I'm sitting in an alignment shop right now. Found a guy that will sit it where ever I want. He has done my truck before and did great. He has done my buddies Camaro a few times
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[BMERDOC]

0° degrees is fine. 1/16th toe in (1/8th total) is fine too. 1/8th total out should be used for a more performance oriented alignment. Removing the shims will not hurt anything and only serve to equalize the alignment on both sides of the front suspension to gain the most negative camber and most positive caster. On a factory front suspension it was only when I added 3" drop springs that the alignment got anywhere near where a decent alignment should be. Doing an alignment this way will not add undue stress to the suspension pieces.

[3drburb]

Thanks for the help all of you. And BMERDOC you did an awesome write up on alignment. Anyway I dropped the rear 2" with blocks yesterday and it seems to have corrected the front. Thanks again as I learned a lot, as always around here.

[BMERDOC]

Glad I could help! I haven't touched that thread in a minute but I intend to blow the dust off of it with another alignment. I recently installed power steering and i just recieved some lower control arm shafts so I could perform the LCA modification to gain some more caster. Good luck with your truck!