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Constantly adjusting LCA's

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Old Sep 1, 2009 | 08:40 AM
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Default Constantly adjusting LCA's

I wish I didn't have to ask this but I can't seem to fiqure it out on my own.

My rear suspension is mounted solid with all heim joints. I have a 9" with a spool.

After I make a pass and return to my pit the rear is usually out of adjustment. It also is sometimes out after I unload it off the trailer. ( I tie it to the trailer off the sway bar mounts)

I have checked everything and nothing has play in it. It can sometimes be out up to 3/16-1/4"!!

When you adjust the lca's the rear wheels need to be off the ground right?

Just wondered if anybody else has this issue.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.
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Old Sep 1, 2009 | 08:51 AM
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The car should be sitting on the ground, and you really should have the weight of the driver in the seat. I would adjust it like this,and then lock tite the adjustment nuts with the blue(removable) type. You should also measure and make sure you axle is set the same distance on both sides from a fixed location and then center it with the panhard bar.
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Old Sep 1, 2009 | 09:56 AM
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Originally Posted by CanuckSS
I wish I didn't have to ask this but I can't seem to fiqure it out on my own.

My rear suspension is mounted solid with all heim joints. I have a 9" with a spool.

After I make a pass and return to my pit the rear is usually out of adjustment. It also is sometimes out after I unload it off the trailer. ( I tie it to the trailer off the sway bar mounts)

I have checked everything and nothing has play in it. It can sometimes be out up to 3/16-1/4"!!

When you adjust the lca's the rear wheels need to be off the ground right?

Just wondered if anybody else has this issue.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.


"spool".....there's your answer. When you set LCA's with a spool make you you drive it in a straight line and hit the gas a few times to load the suspension. Then stop the car without turning the steering wheel and set the lca's. You can also do it on a lift if you make sure the rear is not twisted.

What happens is after the LCA's are properly set and you turn a curve. the spool will slightly twist the rear diff...it will look like it is out of alignment but it will staighten back up under load.
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Old Sep 3, 2009 | 11:23 AM
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How can you tell when they're out of adjustment? Ive never had to mess with mine since I put them in.
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Old Sep 3, 2009 | 12:55 PM
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My first thought was, where and how are you saying it is out of adjustment? Side to Side? Front to back? that makes a difference as to what may be wrong.

Can't believe that hasn't been asked yet.
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Old Sep 3, 2009 | 03:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Dan / Wolfe Race Craft
My first thought was, where and how are you saying it is out of adjustment? Side to Side? Front to back? that makes a difference as to what may be wrong.

Can't believe that hasn't been asked yet.
I guess I should have clarified that. It is out of adjustment front to back. I noticed more space between the front of the tire and the front of the wheelwell (body). That is when I started keeping a closer eye on it.
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Old Sep 4, 2009 | 08:28 AM
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Then you need to check your control arms and the mounting points. Make sure everything is tight and the holes are not damaged in the body and rearend. Check your torque and it's mounting points. The only way that adjustment can change is for something to move or if something is self adjusting because it's not tight.
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Old Sep 4, 2009 | 08:40 AM
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I appreciate your input Dan. I will check for play again. I don't think I checked the T/A close enough. I thought the LCAs would be the only thing that would throw it out of adjustment.
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