02ws.sik

I got my rear end aligned and my thrust angle was fine. On the way home i noticed my steering wheel was turned left to go straight. So the next day i take the car back so they check the alignment and the thrust angle is off it is -0.17 on the thrust angle. If i get ajustable lower control arms could they align the thrust angle then?

jimmyblue

iTrader: (11)

It could but thrust angle of 0.17 degrees is nohow your problem. More
likely it's within the measurement error of the machine - monkey combo.
All it could cause is 0.17 degrees of "crabbing" and I challenge you to
see that with the naked eye. At what, 2 turns lock-to-lock for 90 degrees
of front wheel arc, you're still talking maybe 1 degree of steering wheel
angle. That's a big nothing.

Anybody starts telling me about thrust angle on an unwrecked fixed link
live axle car, I suspect they're a ripoff looking for a sucker to happen.
Call me untrusting.

leadfoot4

iTrader: (1)

An "off center" steering wheel has NOTHING to do with the thrust angle. All it means is that the "alignment expert" adjusted the toe-in, but didn't bother to re-center the steering wheel, before he gave it back to you.

Depending of the amount the thrust angle is off, yes, adjustable LCAs in combination with an adjustable PHB can get the thrust angle to "zero", but then you're counting on the calibration of the alignment machine to be "dead nuts"....

02ws.sik

The steering wheel got fixed but my thrust angle is off. When i hit a hard bump the drivers side make a loud noise like i just hit a ton of rocks does the same thing when i gun it from a stop.

jimmyblue

iTrader: (11)

So get it on jackstands and start inspecting. Could be
a bad bushing somewhere (had an El Camino with the
front bushings gone like absent, steering geometry would
change between braking and accel) could be your driveshaft
grinding on the exhaust (seen that, look for the bright mark
near the U-joint or balance weights), etc.

leadfoot4

iTrader: (1)

OK, the steering wheel is now centered, and as I previously said, the thrust angle didn't change. The "thrust angle" measures how close the front and rear axles are paralell to each other, and how close the front and rear tires are in line with each other. The alignment machine then does a calculation, and assigns a value to this difference. Very few cars have a "zero" thrust angle...


Where's the noise coming from....Front or rear?

02ws.sik

Rear drivers side if i gun it or hit a bumP. Sounds like some one throws a bag of rocks at the car.

bill12690

iTrader: (4)

sorry, as my contribution to this thread is absolutely useless..... but, the title made me laugh..

02ws.sik

If i put thrust angle it takes 100 views before one reply i bought some on car adjustable lca arms chrome moly poly/roto joints and a panhard bar relocation kit thats umi.

leadfoot4

iTrader: (1)

On a serious note, hopefully you understand that a front end alignment won't fix noises in the rear of your car. Having said that, I'd start by inspecting ALL of the bushings in the rear end, starting with the LCA bushings, followed by the PHB, then the sway bar. On the sway bar, make sure there isn't a broken link. You probably should also check the torque arm bolts at the rear end housing, make sure they're tight, and check the bushing at the end of the arm, at the transmission bracket. Make sure that your rear shocks are properly in place, as well as not worn out....

02ws.sik

It was the panhard bushings thanks guys i ordered the lca and the panhard bar