67 coronet; allignment and torsion bars and specs

[Blown 67 coronet]

I'm hoping to get info. in specs and adjusting alignment on my car.
First, the front tires have a visible extreme outward lean on bottom, or what I believe is negative camber... which is wearing the inner tire tread pretty badly.
Is this related to worn out torsion bars, which I expect, may be.
My mechanic isn't experienced with the front end of these cars, but he has a rack available to use when we get to that point. He is looking for specs, and methods of testing ball joints etc. do the A arms need to be jacked up or anything for testing for wear.
My car is relatively new to me ... the front end doesn't appear to have been touched anytime recently. Advice on parts and procedure would be super helpful, thanks!

 

[Hemi Rebel]

It isn't rocket science. Jack up under the lower control arm to check ball joints. If thr ride height is too low the torsion bars are adjustable. Raising the front end will change the camber angles. If you have access to a computerized alignment machine the specs should be stored in it

 

[67 coronet]

good info and specs for ya.http://www.allpar.com/history/mopar/front-end-alignment.html

 

[Blown 67 coronet]

Thanks this is what I was hoping to find out.

 

[AMX364]

If he does not know how to check ball joints, what else does he not know? Keep him for other work and find a good frontend man(or woman) instead.

 

[Blown 67 coronet]

I always want to know as much as I can before I ask for help. I'm the one learning.
He works at a Ford Dealership and on newer model cars; told me my alignment specs might not be on the machine due to the age of my car. So I'm just trying to do my due diligence. Thanks amx and good advice.

 

[kb67mopar]

If you haven't had the front end apart on that thing I say do a complete rebuild. One weekend and access to a shop with a press and you will find that it was well worth it. Pulled mine apart to do it because i was going to re-paint everything anyway. Found that pretty much every bushing was shot even though you couldn't see it.

 

[cr8crshr]

You need a MOPAR or really knowledgeable person that understands MOPAR alignment specifics over anyone else including a Ford Tech. I just went through a complete overhaul and alignment of my 66 Ply Satellite last week. Before I took it in to have the work done I had a Q&A with him. The first question any MOPAR owner should ask is, "What is the first adjustment made for aligning a MOPAR"? Answer is, "Adjustment and measurement of the ride height. If they can answer it in that order then you have a keeper who knows how intricate MOPAR suspensions really are. The rest will fall into place. The work done to my car is absolutely spot on and adjusted to the FSM/Factory Service Manual Specifications. You do have a FSM do you not? If not the reference made to the All Par site will help. But I strongly urge you to get a FSM and use it as your guide on your ride. It is one of the most invaluable tools out there and does help in learning and understanding the MOPARS we all love...cr8crshr/Tuck

 

[brasil]

simple thing.... Caster as much as possible ( positive ) Camber... 0.5 Deg Negative Toe in 1/8 inch.... done !

Works on nearly every car with RWD

Greetings Juergen

 

[Blown 67 coronet]

Danka

 

[brasil]

Gern geschehen:icon_winkle:

Greetings from Germany

Juergen

 

[Blown 67 coronet]

cool,
thanks for the German lesson too.

 

[Cman]

When I have worked on Hotrod or VW suspension in the past, I have always used +5 to +7 degrees as a target for Caster. I was interested to see the Allpar figures given as only +2.5 to +3.5, but looking at the information for the Hotchkiss geometry corrected upper arms, it also states +5 to +7 for final set up. I guess this is a figure you will only achieve with modified parts fitted.

 

[brasil]

With OEM parts... 5-7 deg of caster is not possible... that´s why global west and others "built in more caster" in their UCAs .. but the backside is, that the wheel will sit further backwards in the wheelhouse..... sometimes this doesn´t look so good...

For the MOPARS there are OFFSET UCA Bushings for sale ...from MOOG for example... they will give you an extra degee or two with the caster.... and the best..... THEY ARE CHEAP 20 bucks or so....

Greetings Juergen

 

[Cman]

That's interesting, I was considering the modified upper arms, but I'll definately look at what can be done just with the bushings as you say :thinker:

Has anyone got side view pictures of a 66 Coronet fitted with the Hotchkiss uppers, that might show the affect on the wheel position ?

 

[Jim Bob The Dancing Bear]

Not a Coronet but a 66 Charger before and after Hotchkis suspension.

 

[brasil]

MOOG Part # K7103 offset Bushing Set

Greetings Juergen

- - - Updated - - -

the front wheel looks as it sits a little more backwards..... in the second pic

I had a 75 Firebird... bought those UCA from GW the result was ULGY Perhaps nice on the racetrack...but on the street... ?

So what Did I do ? I shimmed the UCAs "back" to lower caster numbers....

 

[WileE]

simple thing.... Caster as much as possible ( positive ) Camber... 0.5 Deg Negative Toe in 1/8 inch.... done !

Works on nearly every car with RWD

Greetings Juergen

Exactly, but set ride height first.

- - - Updated - - -

If he does not know how to check ball joints, what else does he not know? Keep him for other work and find a good frontend man(or woman) instead.

Ha,ha... amen to that ! The mechanic looking for methods to check ball joint wear ??

 

[brasil]

... yes the ride hight first ( the right time to set the car a little low in front.... just a tad... )

 

[Blown 67 coronet]

allignment snafu

Went to a good alignment shop today. But with my wheels and tires no clearance for rear wheels to rotate with the jig on it so couldn't use their high tech computer alignment machine. We went old school with a level and a string. which I understand and am ok with. Got car adjusted to specs. and after a test drive lost the adjustment. Then returned, re- adjusted, re-tightened, then same thing again wouldn't hold adjustments for toe or camber. Had to leave Her to be sorted through when they have more time. No signs of wear in knuckles and ball joints, everything checked tight.
Hmmmmm.... Grossen PIA
I may have misspoken about my mechanic looking for methods of checking ball joints, he knew that, he was just looking to verify specs and I was questioning if factory specs are righteous or should be modified from stock specs. I just was wondering for for myself if I could check for any major wear before bringing it for an alignment.
everything seemed okay and wondered if I should be asking more questions I am the novice in checking not him.