Setting front toe and camber, shims and/or steering linkage? | FerrariChat

Setting front toe and camber, shims and/or steering linkage?

Discussion in '348/355' started by johan6504, Nov 17, 2009.

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  1. johan6504

    johan6504 Formula 3

    Jun 28, 2005
    1,168
    Sweden
    Full Name:
    Johan
    I am changing all the bushes on my 355 front A-arms and noticed when picking it apart that both lower A-arm shims on the right side where the same 3.5 mm. However on the left side the shims were asymmetrical, the front shims were 0.4 mm and the rear shims 3.5 mm.

    I know when setting the toe on the rear you use the shims to adjust this but in the front you usually use the steering linkage. Now onto my question: I would like to get the same amount of shims on both sides i.e. 3.5 mm in all 4 positions and set toe by adjusting it with the steering linkage. Will this give the exact same result?

    The only parameter I can’t really figure out is thrust angle, is there any difference in making toe adjustment in the front by changing shims or doing in it with linkage…
     
  2. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    29,263
    socal
    Don't do that or even try for that. Shims make up for chassis variations all kinds of stuff in manufacture and in age. To align anycar try this progression:

    Ensure you are on a flat floor
    Set ride height
    corner weight car
    set rear camber
    Set Thrust to zero
    set rear toe (usually in)
    recheck rear camber
    set front camber
    set front toe
    set caster
    recheck front toe

    Do not worry about the shim size. It is the result that matters not the shim that gets you there. This is time consuming but very simple. My materials are aquarium tubing and bucket of water, 1/8" flooring tiles, quality laser level, 2 "L" rulers, 1 straight ruler
     

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