alignment ?'s

[john rod]

i just replaced all the front end parts on my '67 C-10 panel [2wd].
took it to the new tire store, with a new rack. the toe-in is my problem.
the computer print out shows the front toe-in in degrees and the counter guy had no idea what that meant in inches.

so anyone have any idea what .19 degrees [per wheel] or total of .38 degrees toe-in means?

thanks rod in [cold]AZ

[gcburdic]

hey... the boards from NC john rod!!!

may want to shoot member 'cparman' a quick message to see if he can help ya out....or I'm sure someone may chimp in here shortly!!!

as a side note, I originally took my truck to a new tire store, but the kids in there didn't have a clue what to do because my year truck wasn't in the computer!!!....So I took my truck to a place that a local hot rod shop uses often (just called them and asked 'where's the old cat in town that does alignments for your hot rods???)....he does it manually and is chalk full of good ol' stories...and did a heck of a job for $60!!!

[72MARIO]

I think that was about 1/8 "

[463]

1/8" = 0.348 degrees (total, so 0.174 degrees per side) sounds close. some drivers will hand the # they want to the tech

[Heavy Evy]

If you plan on messing with the frontend some more or keeping the rig for a long time Do yourself a favor and take it to firestone and get a lifetime alignment. There only $130-160ish. You pay once and bring it back whenever you want to get it rechecked its also good at all firestone locations nationwide.

[cparman]

Well the old man read this, and Damnit! I don't have an answer! BUT, I will tomorrow night. I do not like the degree thing. I have a note posted on my alignment machine that converts degrees to inches. IF the old man remembers he will post a chart here tomorrow night. Like GCBURBIC said, you need to find a traditional shop that does alignments near you. The younguns at the tire stores are lost when it comes to our stuff. Here is the world according to me:

Camber 0 degrees
caster as much as you can get positive
Toe 1/8" in

On our trucks caster is a challenge. I try to get the camber and toe where I want it, and then fiddle around trying to get the caster to be a bit .5 degrees more positive in the right wheel. If you can do this it will help with a pull issue. All roads in our great country have a crown to them in the center. If you have a bit more positive caster in the right wheel it will allow the truck to track straight. It has always been my belief that the responsibility of the alignment guy to give you good tire wear first and tracking stability second ( caster).

We aligned a 2002 Porsche 911 C-4 today. The car had 45k on it and was on it THIRD set of tires!! The owner is a 65ish yr old guy. I told him that we were going to align this car MY WAY. The factory setting for the rear of the car was -1.5 camber, and 0" toe. What we found was -1.8 camber, and -13" toe. I ended up with -1.2 camber and 0" toe. What this means to you is that it SHOULD add tire life to this car. We also sold him a set of tires. His bill was $1100. I think I saved him money

Originally Posted by gcburdic

hey... the boards from NC john rod!!!

may want to shoot member 'cparman' a quick message to see if he can help ya out....or I'm sure someone may chimp in here shortly!!!

as a side note, I originally took my truck to a new tire store, but the kids in there didn't have a clue what to do because my year truck wasn't in the computer!!!....So I took my truck to a place that a local hot rod shop uses often (just called them and asked 'where's the old cat in town that does alignments for your hot rods???)....he does it manually and is chalk full of good ol' stories...and did a heck of a job for $60!!!

[cparman]

OH YEA, Thanks for the PROPS GCBURBIC.

[john rod]

thanks all, I will wait to see if there is a post of a conversion from degrees to inches.
there are only five racks in town and all are the same. ugh. there is no choice!
rod in AZ

[gcburdic]

Just googled this stuff...maybe cparman will have something else...

http://www.smartracingproducts.com/p...e_settings.pdf

[john rod]

the chart showed me exactly what i thought. with .39 degrees [total toe-in] and a 27" tire, the total toe -in is close to 3/16". way toooooo much. going to see the guy in the morning! will try to hold the old temper in.

rod in AZ