Torsion Rod Alignment Question

[blown240]

I thought I would put this hear instead of the suspension forum since it applies to our years more...


A few months back I lowered my panel with dropped rear springs and loosening the torsion bars.

This obviously made the camber way off, and Im going thru tires REALLY fast. The problem I have is that there is only 1 alignment shop I've found that will align it, and they are VERY overpriced.


I went and took some very rough measurements of the angles. Since I don't have a flat place to park the truck, I took the measurements by comparing front wheels to back.

My front passenger wheel is 7 degrees out at the top compared to the back. MY drivers front is 0 degrees out from the back. Also, the passenger wheel has a 1" spacer that is coming out as soon as I get some longer wheel studs.

So what do I do?

1. Fork out the money, and hope they can get it close enough.
2. Raise the truck back up until I can get the money together to lower it correctly. Money is VERY tight right now.
3. Try to align it myself.....

Here are a couple pic if they help:

you can see how far out the front wheels lean:



shims:

[slepysal]

were in CA are you?

[blown240]

Huntington Beach.

[blown240]

I went and took another look at what I have going on. I think I may just pull 1 shim from the drivers side and 2 from the passenger side. I figure it can't hurt at this point, since I already need new tires. Also, I am going to go get some longer wheel studs so I can get rid of the 1" spacer on the passenger side.

While I was out there, I soaked the bolts with PB Blaster. Ill do that a couple more times and try to tackle this on Saturday.

Does anyone know the torque specs for the control arm bolts?

Here are some more pics. I appreciate any constructive comments and advice!

passanger tire



Drivers Tire



Drivers side shims

[61_FL_Apache]

I had no issues when I dropped my 61. The alignment was not that much off to start with. What do they want to charge for the alignment there? around here they get $60 - $100.

[blown240]

The $60 places won't work on it. And the place that will is $160.

[slepysal]

I cant believe no one in HB will do it !! Whats the name of the shop that will ?

[joedoh]

camber alone does not ruin tires that quickly, unless you have a TON of camber like the hellaflush crowd. My old 535is had 4 degrees negative camber in the rear all 287k miles and never wore tires out.

camber plus toe in or out will kill a tire in a single day. so check the toe, its easy enough, with a tape measure and a friend. measure from a tread block on the left tire to a tread block on the right tire in front of and then again behind (using the same tread pattern on the backside of the wheel. mu guess is that you will have some pretty serious in or out toe (if the front measurement is smaller than the rear, toe in, and vice versa for toe out) If it is significant, you can correct it by turning the steering wheel perfectly straight and eyeballing which tire is pointing in or out (usually the one with the worst wear) then loosening the bolts on the tie rod sleeve on that side and turning it with a pair of pliers until the measurement between front and back of the front tires is roughly even.

[blown240]

Thanks Joedoh. Ill check that out too. These tires probably have less than 200 miles on them. Maybe less than 100


Sleepy Sal - the place that will do it is Glenns Alignment in Costa Mesa. I Know that they are VERY good. I just don't have the $$$ right now.

They just did my buddies bagged 51 truck... It turned out perfect.