Wheel Alignment

[68 P.O.S.]

I have heard (don't remember where) that some shops have a hard time doing a front wheel alignments on our trucks and don't get it right. Is there any truth to this? If so, where would the best place to go be to get one done? I was thinking about going to Firestone, but I don't know because of the above reason. Also can the rear wheels be aligned on our trucks?

[68 P.O.S.]

Anyone?

[steves1967]

Everytime I have taken my 71 to the local tire shops they always set the alignment to an 85 chevy truck specs. Not sure if it's right or not- but it doesn't feel quite right!!

[xshadow]

Good question. My son's truck needs an alignment. I would think just about any shop would be able to do it.

[woodridge]

Many alignment shops don't know/care/realize that to get the caster setting correct you need to measure curb height at the front and rear of the truck then compare them to the caster correction chart to find out what the final caster setting should be. If this is not done, returnability can be affected and also make the truck realy sensitive to imperfections in the road surface. Start asking questions about this to the tech, if he looks at you like a calf looking at a new gate, go somewhere else.

[68 P.O.S.]

Woodridge, good advice, I had no idea you have to do that for the caster. So can our the rear wheels be aligned as well, or are they locked in place?

[woodridge]

There is not much that can be done for the rear. If camber is off then you have a bent axle housing, same for toe in/out. What should be checked and can be corrected is set back and thrust angle. Set back is more for the front which is one wheel setting in front of or behind the center line of the wheel on the opisite side, on these trucks usually due to bent frame or suspension components. On the rear it affects tracking or thrust angle. If the RR wheel is set back then the truck will thrust or track to the right which gives us the very appearant "Dog Tacking" or the rear of the truck is off to the one side going down the road. This usually can be corrected by shifting the differential housing to the front or rear on the spring or trailing arm.
A really good tech will check all this and let the customer know if anything needs attention other than a front alignment.

[Brad]

I have power steering and have always used the specs given below and must say that I'm VERY happy with how it drives and tire wear.

Have them set it at .3 degrees positive camber +/- .3
3.0 degrees caster (positive) on the left side +/- .5 ... 3.5 degrees caster right side (this adjusts the road crown effect) have them set the front toe and 1/8" positive. This set up works well with power steering, and keeps the tires from wearing.

Hmmm, I just noticed the .3's and that doesn't totally make sense to me, but whatever I have it set it works great.

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by 68 P.O.S.

I have heard (don't remember where) that some shops have a hard time doing a front wheel alignments on our trucks and don't get it right. Is there any truth to this? If so, where would the best place to go be to get one done? I was thinking about going to Firestone, but I don't know because of the above reason. Also can the rear wheels be aligned on our trucks?

There's a place in Pensacola called Baughns. They do an excellent job. I talk all my specialty stuf to them.

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by 68 P.O.S.

I have heard (don't remember where) that some shops have a hard time doing a front wheel alignments on our trucks and don't get it right. Is there any truth to this? If so, where would the best place to go be to get one done? I was thinking about going to Firestone, but I don't know because of the above reason. Also can the rear wheels be aligned on our trucks?

There's a place in Pensacola called Baughns. They do an excellent job. I talk all my specialty stuff to them.

[68 P.O.S.]

Cool, thanks Rob. Do you have their phone number or anything like that?

[68 P.O.S.]

Nevermind Rob, I found it online. Thanks again!!!

[ChevLoRay]

After lowering my truck with spindles and using stock-height coils, my front end man used the stock settings and it rides and drives just like new.

[68 P.O.S.]

I've been procrastinating with the alignment and wheel balancing for at least 2 yrs. I have a pretty bad vibration at 65 mph and I can't take it anymore.

[BraveDave]

I had mine done at Firestone 4-1/2 years ago and it has never needed an adjustment. I have driven about 8-9,000 miles in that time. Do yourself a favor and go out and talk to the tech who is doing the work. I did this and you know you will get what you are looking for. In my case, I am running 50's up front and I insisted on the camber being set at 0 degrees. He did exactly what I asked and the tires show no uneven wear at all.

[red71cheyenne]

I just had mine done at Firestone as well and they had no problems setting it. I've had it to a couple different places in the past and they for some reason, could not do it. I still have the vibration at around 65 mph, but I think that is due to shock wear. They are probably original and I'm sure they haven't been replaced since 1993. They are the next new part going in, I'll let you know if that cures the vibrations at speed.