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Old 01-23-2014, 07:46 AM   #1
tomscott
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Default Wheel Alignment

Hello
I have a 1930 rolling chassis. The front wheels are not straight. The right wheel is about 1" out of plumb from top of wheel to bottom. The left wheel is .5" out of plumb. Are there any adjustments to straighten the wheels. Thanks
Tom
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Old 01-23-2014, 08:07 AM   #2
Mitch//pa
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Default Re: Wheel Alignment

important to remember the weight of the body,engine ,etc will change your alignment. i usually don't mess with alignment until the car is assembled for that reason. the only adjustment is toe, but guys have bent the axles for camber problems. also note good springs are a must also ...
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Old 01-23-2014, 09:01 AM   #3
LopezCarguy
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Default Re: Wheel Alignment

Wonder if this is common?? Before dissasembling my chassis I noticed the right front wheel tipped out at top noticebly...this without dropping string to check...why both right front wheel?? Dick
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Old 01-23-2014, 10:24 AM   #4
H. L. Chauvin
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Default Re: Wheel Alignment

One vintage make-shift alignment test was:

1. To travel on a level, hard surfaced back-roads highway at about 45 mph & turn loose the steering wheel for about one (1) second.

2. If it pulls to one side, it is a problem; if not, it is usually good news.

3. If it dashes to one side & crashes into a utility pole, next time, on subsequent tests, first check your watch & practice to see how long is a second.
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Old 01-23-2014, 10:53 AM   #5
glenn in camino
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Default Re: Wheel Alignment

Quote:
Originally Posted by tomscott View Post
Hello
I have a 1930 rolling chassis. The front wheels are not straight. The right wheel is about 1" out of plumb from top of wheel to bottom. The left wheel is .5" out of plumb. Are there any adjustments to straighten the wheels. Thanks
Tom
Sounds like a bent axle. They can be straightened cold with a big press
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Old 01-23-2014, 12:29 PM   #6
tomscott
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Default Re: Wheel Alignment

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Thanks for all the info
Tom
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Old 01-23-2014, 01:05 PM   #7
bill44
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Default Re: Wheel Alignment

I had the same problem, and thought I had a bent axel. Another member of my club suggested I just correct the toe in and that would probably take care of the camber problem too. I did the string alignment method and he was right. I had about an inch of toe out, and when I took care of that the camber problem was gone too. It drives well now and you can take your hands off the wheel briefly.
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Old 01-23-2014, 01:23 PM   #8
Marco Tahtaras
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Default Re: Wheel Alignment

Changing the toe-in may alter the visual perception of the camber but will not actually alter it in any way.

Originally the cars had more camber than most Model A's today. The original camber was approximately 7/8" (farther out at the top) or 2 degrees on each side.

As far as the right side more commonly having a problem, that's conceivable. Good original right front fenders are tougher to find than left fronts. The passenger side was more prone to collision damage!
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Old 01-23-2014, 01:29 PM   #9
jkeesey
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Default Re: Wheel Alignment

My one mentor always told me the passenger front side will have more problems then the driver. Remember 99% of your potholes are on the passenger side.
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Old 01-25-2014, 01:52 PM   #10
Peteva
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Default Re: Wheel Alignment

I have a 1930 fordor deluxe and the camber measures about the same as Tomscotts.The Rt front camber is about 1 inch and the Lt front about 1/2 inch. The out side edge on the Rt front is wearing rapidly with about 2500 miles on the tire. The guy at the alignment shop said the rt toe in was off quite abit but could not remember how much. The above camber measurments were taken after the toe was fixed and it is 1/16 now. So now it looks like I have a bent axle problem. Also the left tire shows no abnormal wear.

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Old 01-25-2014, 05:55 PM   #11
1931 flamingo
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Default Re: Wheel Alignment

yup
Paul
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