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Good evening all,

Talk to me about caster and camber. My manual says 1.5deg for each. One of these adjustments is obvious,ie, steering tie rod, the other is not. Am trying to sort these out as i am having some tyre wear and steering issues.

Thank you.

Pat.

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Other than toe-in/out, adjustments on solid beam-axle cars like yours are done via bending of the axle (if needed) and shims; heavy trucks still utilize these suspensions and methods and heavy truck service centers are generally the best places to go. The enclosed may prove helpful to you, I think I actually retrieved them from this site a while back, thinking they'd come in handy.

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Note that on some cars with leaf springs and solid axle in the front, the center bolt of the spring may set closer to one end of the the spring than the other. If the springs were (or can be) installed backwards it will upset the caster angle.

Look on eBay for a caster/camber measureing tool. Usualy about $30-$40 each. Only need one but two make it easier. Be careful about what u buy tho. I use one called a Trik-ee caster camber measureing tool.

The tool is really only needed for caster measure. Works good for camber measure too. Camber can be measured with a common carpenters level. Toe in set with a tape measure. Need a good smooth level floor.

If u don't want to set alignments yourself then at least do a before-and-after the alignment shop check.

Here's one similar to mine. OF COURSE it has a Snap-On price.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Blue-point-WA-60B-magnetic-caster-camber-gauge-Snap-on_W0QQitemZ160345476585QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Automotive_Tools?hash=item255555cde9&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A13%7C39%3A1


WHEN did the steering problems begin to occur????

Quote:
Keith,

Probably about the time Pat started this thread.https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=2677&forum=1

ok. check for a bent wheel or broken spokes first. bent spindle. Other bent suspension parts. Grab the tie rod and twist it to check to see how much slack there is between tie rod ends or if it is in a bind between tie rod ends.

Wheel run out or out of round is usualy permissible up to 3/8 inch (about 1cm) on wires and stamped steel. Sure seems like a lot but a good solid 3/16 inch is about par for even new wheels.

Check toe in next, then camber, then caster. Adjust in reverse order.

Worn suspension parts????

And don't forget that, if loose, tie rod ends on your 34 are adjustable for wear.

Hi all,

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you all.

After swopping over tires, rims and checking tracking I got no futher in resolving vibration and vague steering.

But I did find all the nuts on the u-bolts holding the axle in place to be loose to the point where most were only finger tight. I replaced all the springs, and shackel bolts around 6 months ago and at the time I did tighten up everything.

Guess I will be checking more often on future!

Thanks for you help!

Pat.

You may want to have your alignment and steering checked by a shop that does large trucks. Trucks still have solid axles and truck garages are familiar with repairing and aligning them.

Did u use LOCK WASHERS ????