'63 Front end alignment

[Tom Bahner]

Well I just had my front end aligned yesterday. Had the tires rotated and balanced also.

l'll give the youngster doing the alignment credit for the effort he put into it. He spent most of the day, off and on, on it. But just wanted to check with you all on the results. 

First, I will say it no longer pulls to one side like it did so thats a plus. But, the steering wheel is about 1/8th turn off from center which I believe will drive me nuts after a while.

In talking to him, he said he had to set the camber all the way in, no more adjustment. Said there was little or no adjustment for the caster?? Dose this sound right. Said there was a little play in the steering wheel,which I've never  noticed, which might cause the steering wheel to be off. .

Anyway, I'd like to give the kid a chance but don't want to ruin a set of tires doing it. Oh, the tires are almost new radials, not bias. Didn't they used to take the steering wheel off and reset it after adjusting the alignment?

I know nothing about caster/camber, etc. I read a write up somewhere, which I can't find, about setting the alignment for radial tires. I guess it is different than factory specs.

Any comments appreciated.

Thanks. Tom B

[Russ Austin]

If you need an eccentric, I have plenty of them. 

Shoot me an email at  [e-mail] 

www.1963caddyshack.com

[David Thomas]

The upper ball joint does not include the camber eccentric; the eccentric is a separate part. You can find the ball joints at RockAuto, the eccentric at Rare Parts. You may be able to get the ball joints and eccentric at one of the box auto supply stores. Advance, Auto Zone, Napa etc.

[Russ Austin]

I believe summit racing has them. MOG K5202 is the manufacturers part # Just google the part #

[Paul Doe]

I'am having that problem to. My front end ball joints are wornout. Can i replace the ecentric top ball joint with a regular one? I can't seem to find a replacement ecentric upper ball joint anywhere. Do you know where i can find one at a resonable cost? It will be for the 1964 Cadillac 75 series limousine.  As my front end pulls hard to the right. Once i get my parts repaired i will take to garage for aligment.

[Jason Edge]

I put a link to this thread under on our Help Topics page under Alignment, Front-End.

[Russ Austin]

Had the shop do the alignment according to the specs listed.

Camber  radials: left 0° and right =1/4°

Caster:   radials: +2°

Drives like a champ.

toe in: radials no more than 1/8"

[Tom Bahner]

I forgot to  update this post with the results. I gave up on these clowns. They never did get the steering wheel straightened out.

I ended up taking it to another shop. He found some parts that needed to be replaced which the other shop didn't notice. He aligned it and straightened out the steering wheel. I think he used factory specs. It was much improved.

After 1200 mi or so, it has a slight pull to the right. Will have to take it back for another shot, using the above specs.

[Russ Austin]

Im getting the tie rod bushing replaced, and front end aligned tot he specs above. Has anyone had this done?  Drive up to standards?

[David Thomas]

Your welcome, Tom. I hope it helps and your car drives well.

[David Thomas]

Thanks Jason. Looks like you've got it.