Shock Problem - 63 SDV

[Tom Bahner]

Hey all, was nosing around under the front end and found drivers side shock rubbing on the frame. Actually rubbed a hole in it and was starting to leak. Passenger side isn't there yet but its on it way. The bottom of the shock worked its way off the rubber bushing.

These are Gabriel 82109 and only have about 3k mi. on them. Replaced lower ball joints and upper LH upper A arm bushings. Had it aligned at time of these  installs.
Any idea whats up.

Thanks for any words of wisdom.

Tom B

[Jason Edge]

Tom, I have run that exact same shock for 15 years on my 64 CDV and popped under my car and looked at both sides. I probably have about 1/8 to 1/4" gap on both sides. I am thinking you have too much positive caster which is adjusted via the tie struts. When the lower ball joint is more forward than the upper ball joint it is positive caster. For stock original bias plies the caster should be set at -1 degree. My notes say it should be run at +2 for radials.   If you are running radials I definitely wouldn't exceed the +2 degree caster as you are really pulling the lower control arm forward.  If you have caster at exactly +2 degrees, you might try backing off a bit on both sides say to +1. 
Also, your lower shock shaft and bushing looks odd. It looks like the lower bushing has worked out of the bottom of the shock and the shock is now cocked at an angle? I would check all bushing, including the tie strut bushing at the frame and make sure they are seated and torqued down correctly, and check the front end Caster.  One main thing is to make sure the caster on both Left and Right or the same...else it can cause front end shimmy. Perhaps others with more front end experience can chime in. 

[Tom Bahner]

Thanks Jason for the info. I will take this info and the radial tire alignment specs to the alignment shop.

Tom B

[Jason Edge]

All alignment specs for bias ply and radials are on our Alignment help page at http://6364cadillac.ning.com/profiles/blogs/63-front-end-alignment?...

Of course bias ply is pulled from the shop manuals.

[3ft7bqmb7dryo]

There is a definite difference in the alignment between bias ply tires, and radials.  The top of the tires need to lean in on radials.  If not, the car will be very squirrely on the road.

[Tom Bahner]

Thanks all. I had the front end work done right after I bought the car. It was really pulling to one side when I first had it. I can't remember if I had the radial specs when I had the alignment done, but there was a lot of improvement in the way it drove after the alignment. Still pulled a little but not bad.

Alignment was on my list of things to get done before we take another section of Rt. 66 to Amarillo to meet up with the CLC region members at their get together. I was going to do the Rt 66 section from Chicago - west but the wife hates driving big cities so we opted to go west.

I agree Tony, as I has always said, these old rigs are just a hoot to drive. Its surprising how many comments we get at a Cruise night even though my 63 is just a driver/50 footer.

Will report back on what we find after the alignment.

Thanks again all.

Tom B