Wheel alignment for a Electra 225 65?

Discussion in 'A boatload of fun' started by Houmark, May 11, 2014.

  1. Houmark

    Houmark Well-Known Member

    Hey ..

    Just found out that my frontwheels is adjusted with toe out? As far as my knowledge goes, FWD cars have toe out, an RWD cars have toe in?

    Just how much toe i should it have? 1 at each side og less? And what about camber?


    Thank you

    Houmark
     
  2. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    The car should DEFINETLY have toe-in. If you are using Radial tires you need to go as much positive caster as possible. The way I did it my '64 Riv. was to use poly mustang strut rod/reaction rod bushings. I modified them to fit & the rear I made shorter by about 1/4". This pulled the lower control arm forward for more positive caster. Being anal like I am I didn't want a bunch of shims in one side of the control arm & little or none in the other side. I accomplished what I was looking for on all counts. Some say that pulling the control arm forward would put undo strain on the lower control arm bushings causing undo wear. Well it's been that way now for 15 or so yrs. with NO undesirable after effects. I now have about +4 degrees positive caster, 1/4 degree positive camber & I run the toe at 1/4" toe-in. Specs. for toe are 7/32nds. to 5/16ths. so a setting in the middle would be 1/4" or 1/8th." each side.
    You won't believe the difference in the way the car will handle afterwards. Positive caster makes the car more resistant to cross winds, is being led by the front wheels instead of the rear as with negative caster (negative caster was for easier steering in the older cars without power steering & would cause the car to want to "plow" into turns. This was done to SLOW people down) & the steering wheel will return back to center easier than before after making a turn.
    Believe me, try it you will like it.


    Tom T.
     
  3. Houmark

    Houmark Well-Known Member

    Thanks.. Will be doing the alignement next week hopefully, then Ill write how things worked out :)

    Houmark
     
  4. racenu

    racenu Well-Known Member

    it’s an old thread but setting up my wildcat front end and reading this is very helpful, thanks Tom,
     
  5. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    Your VERY WELCOME!!!

    Tom T.
     

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