2WD C10 Modern/Performance Alignments

[Lattimer]

Bump for alignment stuff.......


Had my Chevy in twice so far to get the front end alignment, and it just wasn't good enough. Same shop just did my Tundra 3 times and still couldn't get that right. They used to be good........

Anyways, I got kinda peeved at the "that's as good as we can do" line, so I went and bought a QuickTrick alignment kit. Expensive bugger for what it is, but it works pretty decent.

Spent the last weekend working on the front end trying to get it where I want it. Truck is lowered 2"/2" with just springs, all new front end wear parts, otherwise stock. First time I have ever attempted any kind of alignment myself------but I am a mechanical engineer, and I have taught people for years how to laser align pumps and compressors. Took a bunch of trial and error and head scratching, but I finally got everything going the right way and managed to not destroy anything.

By the time I was done, I had to remove half of the rear self aligning washer on the right side, and had a single 1/16" shim on the front of the left side. Nothing else.

Now I have:

L Camber -.7 degrees
R Camber -.7 degrees
L Caster 1.8 degrees
R Caster 2.4 degrees
Total Toe 3/16" in.

Only downside to the Quicktrick is you can only do total toe, getting the wheel set straight is trial and error.

Today I got the chance to get the truck out and drive it to work and back. Ran it up to 90 mph, drove some side streets, took a few hard corners. Feels pretty good. Nice and stable, doesn't wander or pull at all. Steering is pretty "normal", not dead and not twitchy. Seems pretty good. Return to center still as lazy as it has always been, but I'm used to that.

I know now I can get a little more caster on the left if I want to, but the right is maxed out without doing the lower control arm mod. I'm on the fence at this point whether that is worth the effort or not. Not real sure how to quantify any improvement I would get.


Next I need to try to fix the alignment on my lifted Tundra. That should be a riot.

[Greywolf200]

Originally Posted by Lattimer

Bump for alignment stuff.......



Now I have:

L Camber -.7 degrees
R Camber -.7 degrees
L Caster 1.8 degrees
R Caster 2.4 degrees
Total Toe 3/16" in.

Since you can do it easily, I'd suggest changing to toe out. I made this change and the difference in turn in is amazing. Everything else remains the same. At 1/8" toe out, it is not twitchy and makes it far more responsive.

Hope this helps,

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by Greywolf200

Since you can do it easily, I'd suggest changing to toe out. I made this change and the difference in turn in is amazing. Everything else remains the same. At 1/8" toe out, it is not twitchy and makes it far more responsive.

Hope this helps,

I had it 1/8" out and it felt weird.

[lit549]

If I posted my alignment sheet on my 85 swb c10, could anyoNE tell me if its a good setup??

[BMERDOC]

Really good job! That stinks that the equipment will only do total toe. As far as the Caster Mod is concerned I feel its totally worth it and no I haven't done it to mine yet but I am confident that with 5° or more return to center will greatly improve and higher speed stability will be even greater.

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by BMERDOC

Really good job! That stinks that the equipment will only do total toe. As far as the Caster Mod is concerned I feel its totally worth it and no I haven't done it to mine yet but I am confident that with 5° or more return to center will greatly improve and higher speed stability will be even greater.

I'm still debating between doing the LCA castor mod and just saying screw it and buying the tubular control arms. Probably do all of it at once when I do the disc brakes, which won't be for a at least a year or so.

[BigDaddyV]

Sub. Thanks I'll be using this info in the near future.

[BMERDOC]

Sure! Post it up.

[pablo101]

Need to get some Shims so my work can do an alignment. They don't have shims for my 71 c10 (new subaru dealership)..What is the Bolt size 9/16 or 5/8 so I can get some. Thanks in advance

[BMERDOC]

You can get a shim kit for under $10 from Harbor Freight if you have one nearby. I use that kit and it works great. If you don't have one close you can order it online.

[pablo101]

Originally Posted by BMERDOC

You can get a shim kit for under $10 from Harbor Freight if you have one nearby. I use that kit and it works great. If you don't have one close you can order it online.

Ok great but from what I can find there are two bolt sizes 9/16 and 5/8.I dont know which I'll need

[BMERDOC]

Originally Posted by pablo101

Ok great but from what I can find there are two bolt sizes 9/16 and 5/8.I dont know which I'll need

The frame bolts that retain the upper control arms are actually 1/2". The part number for the HF shim kit is 67585 and works perfectly.
Posted via Mobile Device

[67_C20Pres]

Originally Posted by BMERDOC

The frame bolts that retain the upper control arms are actually 1/2". The part number for the HF shim kit is 67585 and works perfectly.
Posted via Mobile Device

Link = http://www.harborfreight.com/144-pie...ent-67585.html

[tinydb84]

The bolts on my 75 are 9/16''

[BMERDOC]

Yup. Thats the one. On a side note, I got an 09 Silverado not too long ago. I'll be looking into doing some alignment improvements soon. Both before and after a 4/7 drop.
Posted via Mobile Device

[pablo101]

Here's the Alignment sheet

[BMERDOC]

You guys are using a Hunter machine. See if this link helps dial it in a little better.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=582187
Posted via Mobile Device

[eightbanger]

I live in the U.K so getting stuff done on my Truck is just that bit harder, the shop I go to will do my Toe, because as luck would have it it's on their computer, but they will not touch the Caster/Camber. So I just had my Toe done today as the truck was pulling to the right, I've had to mess with the camber/caster at home on the drive but still don't really get it, anyway drove out of the shop and its still pulling to the right.

Frustrated at my lack of understanding of technical stuff, im going to have to post this and ask, whats it telling me?

[BMERDOC]

First thing's first....swap the front tires side-to-side. If steering is neutral or pulls left you have a tire issue. Hopefully it'll steer straight. Critiquing the other angles if I may, your caster is too shallow and should be between 2 and 3 degrees from the factory. If you can dial in more than 3 that'd be great Too shallow will cause wander other issues that will affect the stability feel of a vehicle.. I'd like to see your camber under 1 degree negative. I understand you frustration. If you'd like, post pics of your shim packs and I'll see if I can help get you straight.

[eightbanger]

Originally Posted by BMERDOC

First thing's first....swap the front tires side-to-side. I understand you frustration. If you'd like, post pics of your shim packs and I'll see if I can help get you straight.

Yes please mate, i'm desperate for this kinda help. I'll get some pics taken and post em up.

Thank you.

[eightbanger]

Nick, I took the wheels off and switched them round as you suggested and to my complete surprise the truck now pulls to the left...how is that possible? is there a right and left wheel because its as different as putting my shoes on the wrong feet

Does it need to be aligned again? surely not!

[BMERDOC]

Your truck has a condition know as Tire Pull. The old alignment is now "burned" into the tread causing the condition. Swapping tires side to side proved this. The truck now wants to go left. If your tires are the same all the way around you do have the option of swapping one of the tires to the diagonal corners to see if the pull goes away (left front to right rear or vice versa). The only other option if you were serious about eliminating the pull is to purchase a new pair for the front. Aligning it again would not show any improvements. If you decide to mess with the shim packs to correct caster and camber you'll want to have the alignment rechecked.

[eightbanger]

Thank you mate, I really do appreciate your help and advice, I will swap the wheels and let you know what happens, and I really want to get a handle on this whole caster/camber thing, so i'll take some pics of the shim packs tomorrow.

Thanks

[eightbanger]

Well Nick here's the scooby, switched all the wheels diagonally as suggested, and when I took her out she drove nice and straight...Thank you man. I can't tell ya how over the moon I'am to have this finally sorted....BUT! when I took the front wheels off (one of which had been causing it to pull to the Right, then when switched it pulled to the Left) well I know why, one of the tires had a large bulge running about half way round the tire.

I took some pics of the shim packs for you also. First two are of the PS, the last iS DS.

[jjzepplin]

That will certainly do it. I think you may also be missing some big rounded type spacers behind those control arm bolts.