Tips on self front end alignments?
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Tips on self front end alignments?
I got the stang finished the other day and finally had a chance to take it for a spin with the new brakes on it. It seemed fine (still have kinda soft pedal but I can take care of that later) but the alignment is WAY off. I put SN95 spindles on the car, hoping they are 94-95 spindles. After I got them on, I noticed the car had about 30 degrees of toe in 
Not sure if thats a symptom of 96 up spindles or not, but I digress. So I set the toe as best I could and took her for a spin. The car pulled to the left HARD and was VERY responsive on turn in. I think my problems are that it needs more toe in to correct the turn in issue, and needs both wheels pulled further right to correct the pull to the left. I just need it close enough to get me to an alignment shop. It also seems that the front left has positive camber (top of tire sticks out further than the bottom). I'm guessing the only alignment adjustments on a Fox are at the top of the strut or the tie rod end? I don't have caster/camber plates, but it may fall within adjustment of the factory stuff.
Here's a question to make this long drawn out post somewhat tech related, if I need caster camber plates, which ones are good for a daily driver with no drag racing or auto-x intentions?
Not sure if thats a symptom of 96 up spindles or not, but I digress. So I set the toe as best I could and took her for a spin. The car pulled to the left HARD and was VERY responsive on turn in. I think my problems are that it needs more toe in to correct the turn in issue, and needs both wheels pulled further right to correct the pull to the left. I just need it close enough to get me to an alignment shop. It also seems that the front left has positive camber (top of tire sticks out further than the bottom). I'm guessing the only alignment adjustments on a Fox are at the top of the strut or the tie rod end? I don't have caster/camber plates, but it may fall within adjustment of the factory stuff. Here's a question to make this long drawn out post somewhat tech related, if I need caster camber plates, which ones are good for a daily driver with no drag racing or auto-x intentions?
OUCH!!!
Joined: Mar 2002
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Your pull isn't going to be toe in related. If you have uneven toe, your tires will tend to turn left or right until they reach a balance between the two. It's normally caster that causes a pull to the left or right. The car will pull to the side with the lower caster angle. So, if you're pulling to the left, add caster to the left or remove from the right or some sort of combination of the two.
I say the Maximum Motorsports CC plates. They' are great. You can adjust caster and camber independently. (There is one plate that moves front to back and one that moves left to right. You can loosen and tighten them independently. Some plates can move in both dimensions when you loosen them. It makes it more difficult when doing the home alignment.)
Here's a REALLY good link with instructions and pictures for a DIY alignment.
http://corner-carvers.com/forums/sho...threadid=13211
I say the Maximum Motorsports CC plates. They' are great. You can adjust caster and camber independently. (There is one plate that moves front to back and one that moves left to right. You can loosen and tighten them independently. Some plates can move in both dimensions when you loosen them. It makes it more difficult when doing the home alignment.)
Here's a REALLY good link with instructions and pictures for a DIY alignment.
http://corner-carvers.com/forums/sho...threadid=13211
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Originally posted by Mars_302
goto transwheel in lutz, its $30 for an alignment. And they arent afraid to touch the plates.
goto transwheel in lutz, its $30 for an alignment. And they arent afraid to touch the plates.
And while the trailer is a fabulous idea, I'd love to drive it this weekend instead of pull it
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I just thought of something. I had to shim the spindle to strut mount since the 4 cyl spindles are wider than the SN95 stuff. I'm wondering if I put the shims on different sides of the strut from side to side. This is the only way I can think caster was changed during the swap. I'll put it up on the lift and take a looksee
drives euro trash
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If you want a really good alignment, I would suggest Cars&Concepts or Rennen Imports. Both located in Tampa...both are excellent. I paid $90 for a 4-wheel alignment at C&C, and was told about the same from Rennen. I would think it would be cheaper for the Mustang. 
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Damn, 2 of my friends had them done recently, one was a Tire Kingdom, the other Tires Plus. Both were over $100, of course one was a C4 vette, but the other was just an F-body. I have some crappy tires on there now that are worn on the outside edge, so I may see how close I can get it, and get an alignment when I get some new skins on.
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Good news. I played around with it a little more and got it at least drivable. It still pulls (now to the right), but it won't jerk the wheel out of my hand with the slightest bump or steering input. I should be good for the dyno day and saturday night get together then I'll have it aligned on Monday.
I didn't really beat on the car since the brakes and handling were new, but the one time I did get on it, I ran over some gravel in the road right when boost came in and it spun the tires a bit. Oh yeah, it was 4th gear
I didn't really beat on the car since the brakes and handling were new, but the one time I did get on it, I ran over some gravel in the road right when boost came in and it spun the tires a bit. Oh yeah, it was 4th gear
