Aligning the rear tires on our cars...

[firebaron90]

Hey all,

I was getting an alignment on my new datona, and I wanted to go all out and have the rear set perfectly, as the tops of my rear wheels seem to sit inward. Well the alignment guy says no problem, until he notices that i have the rear vented discs. He says the parts book lists shimms for the rear drum brakes only. Are the disc shimms different??? If so where can i get some???

joe

[Tim_K]

I just put a couple shims in my 89 Spirit's right rear wheel to reduce toe in fron 3/16" to 1/16". And I gave it a bit of negative camber as well, because it needed it.

I got a pair of shims from my local Chrysler dealer, and they charged me $12 for them. They are 0.010" thick, and according to my newly acquired 1989 factory shop manual, a 0.010" shim will change the wheel alignment by 0.3 degrees.

I don't know about the disc brake cars. My Spirit has rear drums. The disc cars should still have the stub axles, and the shim goes between the axle and the swing arm mounting point.

you don't need to have a mechanic do your alignment. I use a piece of fishing line and a lead weight to figure out what my alignment is. Only thing - you MUST do it on ground that is ABSOLUTLY LEVEL or everything will be wrong.

PS - the shop manual says the acceptable alignment range (on toe in/out) is 5/16" IN to 5/16" OUT !!! That will grind down tires fast! Set your rears to 1/16" toe in. Maybe 1/8" toe in if that's as close as you can get it. Road forces will then flex the axle / wheels just about straight when driving.

[contraption22]

Hey joe, if the tops of your wheels are tilted inward, thats negative camber I would keep it that way if it's not too radical.

[CowtownBooster]

actually mike inward is positive, any alignment angle that tilts away from the vehicle is negative, and towards the "inside" of the vehicle is positive.

[Vigo]

fyi, you're wrong. negative camber has the top of the tire leaning towards the center of the car.

its too bad they didnt use that system tho, its so simple.. but alas.

[LancerShelby]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CowtownBooster actually mike inward is positive, any alignment angle that tilts away from the vehicle is negative, and towards the "inside" of the vehicle is positive.

http://www.familycar.com/alignment.htm

[CowtownBooster]

what the hell was i thinking when i wrote my reply... brain fart!

[ltrain]

peeyu

[JandHbodies]

Quote:

Originally Posted by contraption22 Hey joe, if the tops of your wheels are tilted inward, thats negative camber I would keep it that way if it's not too radical.

Define radical. My GTS has neg camber after I installed the eibachs, but it looks like it could wear the inner part of the tire faster.

[Frank]

Installing different springs in the rear doesnt effect camber. If you are refering to the front, then anything more then -2 is radical for normal use.


Frank