Re: 56 Carib Driver's side fender alignment

Posted by BH On 2008/7/4 11:54:00

Kip -

I'm just catching up online, but am glad to hear that things worked out with relative ease - that is, without any drilling, cutting, etc.

Remote diagnosis isn't easy, and I'm not always right, but I always like to give the least drastic measure a chance. In this case, the car is so long and heavy that the frame will flex, if only temporarily.

As for alignment, if you study the shop manual on this, you'll find that the upper outer pivot bushings are both threaded and eccentric to provide (first) caster and (then) camber adjustment. While the required adjusting tool resembles a crowfoot "socket", it has to be thin enough to fit between the uper control arm and knuckle and sized large enough to fit the hex of the bushing. Problem is, you won't find a crowfoot like that at Sears, and most modern shops will not have one, either.

So, heed Randy's sage advice and shop carefully for a good old alignment shop, but also watch out for any that want to jump in and bend the knuckle to obtain alignment right from the start.