LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion

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-   -   Alignment? (https://ls1tech.com/forums/suspension-brakes/1762067-alignment.html)

MasterV8 12-15-2014 06:30 PM

Alignment?
 
How is caster set? I know it's by the rear bolt, but with the weight on the wheels how are the bolts for both camber/caster forced in or out of the slots? The tech was more used to using offset alignment bolts and I can see how they'd work, but when he showed me what he was trying to do it had me stumped too!
We managed to get the toe & camber set but it was a pain trying to set caster, we settled on about +4.5 each side.

99Bluz28 12-16-2014 05:05 PM

SPX Kent-Moore, OTC, an a few other companies makes a turnbuckle style tool, or you can use a ratchet strap which some alignmet guys I know prefer to use because it's a lot less expensive.
Here's what it looks like:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...5L._SX522_.jpg

leadfoot4 12-20-2014 12:35 PM

Check E-bay. Sometimes the "J-Hook" tools show up there. I found a couple there several years ago, at a decent price....

MasterV8 12-22-2014 10:07 AM

Thanks, I have a UMI k member and there are no holes to attach anything like that except on the k member, ratchet strap wouldn't hold and it took 2 of us using a pry bar and tightening the nuts down to get the settings we did.
It seems to drive ok but I'd like to know what method people are using with after market K members & A arms for the next time I need an alignment.

leadfoot4 12-22-2014 12:52 PM


Originally Posted by MasterV8 (Post 18584124)
Thanks, I have a UMI k member and there are no holes to attach anything like that except on the k member, ratchet strap wouldn't hold and it took 2 of us using a pry bar and tightening the nuts down to get the settings we did.
It seems to drive ok but I'd like to know what method people are using with after market K members & A arms for next time the I need an alignment.

In all honesty, your caster isn't all that bad. 5-5.5* would probably be better, but still, you're at least in the ball park. Are you using the OE arms with the aftermarket K-member?

MasterV8 12-22-2014 05:30 PM


Originally Posted by leadfoot4 (Post 18584360)
In all honesty, your caster isn't all that bad. 5-5.5* would probably be better, but still, you're at least in the ball park. Are you using the OE arms with the aftermarket K-member?

No UMI lower a arms

99Bluz28 12-22-2014 05:57 PM

4.5* caster isn't bad at all, it's about where mine is set. It'll have a slightly lighter low speed steering feel, and a little less high speed straight line stability compared to 5-5.5* caster. Setting the caster is a compromise between it an setting the camber, so don't be afraid to run a little bit of negative camber(under -1*) it should have very little to no effect on tire wear and allow you more possibly more caster adjustment. I also have UMI front lower A-arms, and that's what my alignment guy actually prefers to use the ratchet straps on to adjust the camber an caster.


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