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11-02-2002, 03:37 PM
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Hammer On!
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Olathe, KS
Posts: 473
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Alignment Problems
 Well, heres the story..... i had my truck put in the shop for a complete rebuild on the front end, including new steering parts and chassis. Things went together right but when it came time to have the alignment done it went down hill. The toe and camber went very smoothly, but when the caster was being done, they had nothing but troubles with it. Is it possible that the two upper control arms are not identical from each other causing my caster to be off by say 10 degrees? What i mean is, is it possible that if they aren't identical could someone have switched them around causing the problem in the long run? Or is this a sign of possible front end collision coming to haunt me. I have seen no signs of my truck being hit anywhere. The shims for the control arms were ground down so now the caster is sitting at 8 degrees on one side and 9 on the other. Needing some info on what to do, appreciate all replies! Thanks!Aaron 
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1968 C20 Inline 6 250 SM465 4 speed 1968 K10 Inline 6 250 SM465 4 speed |
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11-02-2002, 05:17 PM
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CCRider
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA
Posts: 2,232
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I had a Firebird that had a bent subframe and was impossible to line up. I had just rebuilt the whole front end [with the front cap off] and there were no visible signs that it had ever been hit. The alinment guy put in an offset upper control shaft to solve the problem. I don't know if they make such an animal for a 67-72.
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72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS |
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11-02-2002, 05:35 PM
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#3 |
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Out of the carpool lane.
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Clark Co, WA
Posts: 5,672
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You may have put the upper control arms on backwards. IE. rhs on lhs and vice-versa. I did this once on a rebuild and shop had the same problem. Fortunately, there was a C-10 just around the corner that we could check. DOH!
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1968 C-10 SWB, 5.7 Vortec/700R4/3.73 posi, Torch Red 1968 Camaro, 250/Powerglide, all original (No, I'm not gonna drop a 350 in it!...Jeez!) 2000 Honda VFR in the faster yellow! 2008 Husqvarna TE-610 1967 C-10 SWB 'Six Appeal'-Gone but not forgotten... |
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11-02-2002, 07:14 PM
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#4 |
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Account Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Olathe, KS
Posts: 2,300
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Are they unable to shim the control arms enough to correct caster? How much is the reading off ( - or + ). When installing the upper control arm shaft and ends, its possible to have the shaft forward or rearward by 1/4 or more which throws the caster WAY off.
Have them do a SAI (Steering Axis Included angle). If its off by a few degree's or more, the frame is diamond shaped and will need to pulled. If SAI is ok and Camber can be adjusted ok, it sounds like they may be doing something wrong with the upper arms. |
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11-05-2002, 09:55 AM
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#5 |
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Hammer On!
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Olathe, KS
Posts: 473
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Problem Solved (I hope)
Well, so far its good news.... the problem was the control arms were backwards and have probably been that way since i bought the truck in July of 01. A big relief to know it wasn't severe front end damage that was causing it. They did grind the shims down to correct at first but it didn't take much off the problem with ball joints being off so we'll see how today goes with alignment!
Aaron
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1968 C20 Inline 6 250 SM465 4 speed 1968 K10 Inline 6 250 SM465 4 speed |
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11-05-2002, 12:52 PM
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#6 |
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Out of the carpool lane.
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Clark Co, WA
Posts: 5,672
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Jeeeez! I actually helped someone out for once! Good to hear it's ok.
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1968 C-10 SWB, 5.7 Vortec/700R4/3.73 posi, Torch Red 1968 Camaro, 250/Powerglide, all original (No, I'm not gonna drop a 350 in it!...Jeez!) 2000 Honda VFR in the faster yellow! 2008 Husqvarna TE-610 1967 C-10 SWB 'Six Appeal'-Gone but not forgotten... |
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11-05-2002, 01:01 PM
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#7 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: North Texas
Posts: 3,625
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Brad -- Not only did you help, you had to admit your mistake to do it. So we'll give you 2 points for this one!
I would have said, "I once had a friend who put his control arms on backwards." Mike
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Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 36 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then! Last edited by MikeB; 11-05-2002 at 02:35 PM. |
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11-06-2002, 05:54 AM
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#8 |
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Out of the carpool lane.
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Clark Co, WA
Posts: 5,672
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LOL
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1968 C-10 SWB, 5.7 Vortec/700R4/3.73 posi, Torch Red 1968 Camaro, 250/Powerglide, all original (No, I'm not gonna drop a 350 in it!...Jeez!) 2000 Honda VFR in the faster yellow! 2008 Husqvarna TE-610 1967 C-10 SWB 'Six Appeal'-Gone but not forgotten... |
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