I had my car aligned last fall after finishing a complete frame off restoration and just noticed this spring that the center link is rubbing slightly on the center of the frame (Bottom of centerlink rubs on top of frame as it turns to the right) The other problem is the front wheels do not turn to the Right as much as they turrn to the Left. After checking ALL my part #s to make sure I didn't have some mixed matched parts I noticed that when the front wheels are pointing straight my center link is NOT centered as I feel it probably should be (but I'm no alignment expert so I'm posting here) I also noticed that the Pitman arm is favoring the passenger side of the car when the front wheels are straight. I'm thinking at this point it should be pointing straight (pointing towards the back of the car)? Here are a couple pictures to help illustrate my points: First Picture shows the Centerlink off center even though the front wheels are pointing straight ahead: Second photo shows the Pitman Arm pointing more to the left (Passenger Side) even though the front wheels are pointing straight ahead: (idler arm also points to the left somewhat) . I'm hoping someone with some alignment experience can confirm my suspicions. I'm thinking that the Centerlink should be centered and that the pitman arm (And Idler Arm) should be pointing STRAIGHT back when the front wheels are pointing straight?? I also noticed that if I turn the steering wheel to the left 1 full turn which still leaves the steering wheel in the correct position the center link is then centered. (Wheels of course are pointing to the left but everything else now seems "Centered" including the steering wheel) Thanks in advance for any advice and fixes. (Is this the fault of the alignment shop ?) .
How even are the tie rod adjusters? (amount of tie rod thread depth in each) If one has more then the other the car was aligned with the steering box off center, which is what it looks like from the pictures.
I think you're correct. I meassured the length of each and the passenger side is 17" and the driver side is 19" so it's definately off. Meassurement was from center of each tie rod (inner & outer) - overall length. .
I spoke with the alignment shop today and explained the situation. I know the guys there pretty good so they said to bring it in next week and they'll correct it. I was pretty confident they would take care of me (IF) it was there fault. Just wanted to confirm things before "pointing fingers". So hopefully it will be corrected next week. Spring is here. Time to finally put a few miles on it!! .
Even if the tie rods are out of whack, I'm thinking that will not cure the drag link hitting the frame skid horn. Is the pitman arm the correct one? It looks to have too much drop. Also, if you loosen the steering box bolts, you can tilt the box a little and gain some more clearance though that is probably just a few fractions of an inch.
Oh...it's messed up! It might be an illusion or camera angle, but it looks like Roberta's pitman arm is maybe 1/4" higher up on the shaft. It also looks like her nut is threaded on further on the shaft. You seem to have a lot of spline showing. That said, clearly the center link is offset. You can move it w/o aligning it again if you know what you are doing. I think it's best not to mess with it and let the alignment guys mess with it. It would not be the first time a shop screwed up. I would have to say the pics from Roberta's car are really helpful to see the prob!
