Here are some simple procedures and ballpark alignment number for those that have adjustable camber plates and coil over springs with adjsutable lower perches:
First, adjust the ride height. Go for 5.25" of front ground clearance
measured at the front of the rocker panel and 5.5" of ground clearance
measured at the back of the rocker panel. The idea is to put a little bit
of rake in the car to load the front and make it stick more. Later you will
probably lower this ride height a bit. Second, adjust the camber. Try for
3 degrees negative in front a 2.5 degrees negative in back. Third, adjust
toe. 1/4" toe out-in front and 1/8" toe-in in back.
To do ride height you'll need a GOOD tape measure a level, flat, smooth
surface, and a fiend.
1. Rock the car up and down, side to side and roll it around a bit with
the friend in the driver's seat.
2. Measure from the most forward position on the rocker panel on the
flat part on the outside of the body seam.
3. Jack up the car and adjust the lower spring seat.
4. Go back to step 1.
5. Repeat for each corner of the car, measuring the rears a the most
rearward position on the rocker on the flat part on the outside of the body
seam.
To do camber, you need the tape measure, a friend, a carpenters level that
has a bubble in the vertical position, some paper, a pencil, and a
protractor.
1. Rock the car up and down, side to side and roll it around a bit with
the friend in the driver's seat.
2. Place the bottom of the level on the outside of the bottom of the
wheel.
3. Adjust the level so its level and vertical (it intersects the
centerline of the wheel looking from the outside).
4. Measure the distance from the level to the outside of the top of the
wheel. You now have two sides of a triangle (the diameter of the rim and
the distance from the level to the top of the rim).
5. Transfer this triangle to the paper and draw the third side.
Measure the angle and you've got a rough idea of the tire camber.
6. Adjust accordingly and go back to step 1.
7. Repeat for the remaining three corners.
To do toe, you need the tape measure, 2 12" 2x4s and a friend.
1. Make sure both front (and rear) wheels are pointing straight ahead.
Don't use the steering wheel position to check this. You will have to
recenter the wheel at the end of this process.
2. Lay the 2x4s on their face in front of each tire. Measure the
distance from the center line of each tire with the tape measure on top of
the 2x4s. The friend helps hold the tape in the correct position on the
opposite tire.
3. Lay the 2x4s on their face in back of each tire. Measure the
distance from the center line of each tire with the tape measure on top of
the 2x4s.
4. Do some match. The front measurement should be wider than the rear
measurement by 1/4". You probably won't be able to adjust toe-in of the
rear tires. Just check it to make sure everything is lined up.
5. Check the steering wheel centering. Adjust each tie rod an equal
amount to get the steering wheel centered. Go back to step 2.
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John Coffey
johncof@veriomail.com
