Alignment Issue- 68 Charger

[MackDa600]

Trying to get car somewhat aligned so that I can drive it to the alignment shop for final tune. My issue is the front wheels are getting chewed up on the inside portion of the tire.

When you drive the car forward the wheels will end up like this: \    /

Go in reverse and they end up like this: /    \ or slightly even better to almost |   |

Obviously not as drastic, but you get the idea.

I have adjustable upper control arms, adjustable strut bars, and adjustable toe? (bars on each side of tie rod that go to the lower control arm).

Anyways, when I adjust it on the ground to were it looks good, then move the car a few fit. its all out of wack again....


Let me know your thoughts, may just have to flatbed it over to the alignment shop

[Troy]

Sounds like everything is loose! First, are you making your adjustments with the suspension loaded (ie. car on the ground)? If not, you'll never get it right. If so, make sure your tires on on something slippery. A folded heavy garbage bag works fairly well. I use industrial floor tiles (83 cents each) sandwiched with a blob of motor oil in between. I put 2 under each wheel - no oil on the rear ones! After each adjustment you should bounce the car and  roll it forward and back to avoid any binding - although allowing the wheels to move freely does a fairly good job. First adjustment should always be caster, then camber, then toe-in. The latter two will change any time you adjust the first so it's pointless to do it out of order. With all your new components you'll have to read their instructions on how to adjust because it will be different than a stock setup.

Troy

[ws23rt]

I agree something is loose.  Whatever alignment you have should stay as it is until you make a change.
If you can't find out what is loose or installed wrong than it's best to let the alignment shop find it for you. Than an alignment can be done

[HPP]

Did it do this before you added those parts? If not, then something you changed has produced the issue.

So do you have a camber change when moved or a toe change when moved? I ask because you say the inside of the tires is chewed up, but the forward/backward change you mention is indicitive of a toe issue.

[Troy]

I'm *assuming* everything is hooked up - but I know from experience that your tires will do exactly what you described if you disconnect the pitman arm. Otherwise, nothing should be moving just from rolling the car forward and back.

Troy

[MackDa600]

Yes everything is hooked up.

Adjustments I made were toe, and it was while suspension was loaded.

I think my problem lies with caster or camber... All is tight, but I'm obviously missing something.

Right now I'm stinking upper control arms are not set correctly.

I did purchase the SPC ADJUSTABLES which the shop will be installing on Monday...

[HPP]

So the adjustable upper arms are not in place yet. This means the stock units are. Are the bushings in these arms okay? If you didn't remove/replace these, there is no reason for them to have an issue unless they are worn out.

If the toe is changing, I'd look for a missing/loose component in the strut rod, damaged strut bushing, strut to lower arm bolt loose, the lower control arm bushing is shot, pitman arm ball is loose, idler arm bushing is damaged, idler arm ball is damaged, idler arm mounting bolt is loose or tie rod ends are damaged, steering box bolts are loose.

If your camber is changing, upper control arm bushings loose or damaged, upper arm eccentrics loose, lower control arm bushing damaged, ball joints damaged.

[MackDa600]

ADJUSTABLES are in place, but I'm changing them to SPC.

[MSRacing89]

You need to be on a non binding surface. If not you will be fighting toe until you go insane. Even a patch of level grass will do in a pinch.

[Ghoste]

Any way you can get a buddy to roll it back and forth while you lay where you can watch what moves?

[MackDa600]

Installed new Adjustable Upper Control Arms today, re-aligned all is well.

Went with the SPC Adjustables.