328 Alignment Question

Soory to give you a stupid answer, Joe...
But keep in mind that there are some difference in the suspensions of the "serie 1" cars (concave wheels, before chassis 76626) and those of the "serie 2" (convex wheels, after chassis 76626)

Rgds

 

Front caster is adjusted by using/moving shims 10 at the lower front ball joint (the total amount of shims 10 stays the same, but by reallocating which side of the ball joint they are on changes the caster) --but it's rarely off, nor does it impact tire tread wear like camber and toe.

 

Good thing too because it is really no fun to adjust.

 

A good alignment can be done with very rudimentary equipment. The key is really good consistent methodology in the measurements and understanding the process. On a car like the 328 with IRS and adjustable toe in the rear it is very important attention be paid to the rear toe. The toe needs to be equal on both wheels, not just a total figure. Different equipment or measuring methods achieve it in different ways so just be mindful of that. If it is not correct the numbers can look right but the car can actually be going down the road at some degree of sideways.

There are a number of people here well versed on the subject so if you run into a problem there should be plenty of help.

 

Joe,

I can't comment on the steps of adjusting the suspension but I can say steering feel at garage/parking lot speed (<5mph) is rather heavy. Compared to a power steering car, very heavy. Lots of work. That's normal.

-F

 

Good. Looks like you have a handle on it.

For the shims at the inner control arm pick ups you really only need to loosen those. A little prying might be required to free the shims.

If you need to adj caster....well cross that bridge when you come to it. If steering return works equally in both directions and it does not have an alignment pull caster is usually OK and in my experience they are not terribly sensitive to small differences side to side. Ck for it being near spec and keep your fingers crossed.

 

Hopefully the bolt pattern on your husbstands fit the ferrari's. Mine unfortunately (that I use on the 993 turbo), despite the multiple holes, none fit the 5x108...

 

My 87 328's steering wheel is a bit off center, but the car is perfectly aligned. I guess I have two options: A) remove the steering wheel and rotate it a couple spindles on the steering shaft (is this even possible?), or B) center the steering wheel, lock it down and adjust each tie rod equally to bring the front wheels back to the previous setting.

Can anybody offer their thoughts on this? What would you do? If I elect to adjust the tie rods, they need to be totally removed from the spindle to be turned, right?
Thanks in advance,
Greg


Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

 

Greg on My 87' 328 the steering doesn't have a splined shaft so you can't adjust the steering wheel centre in that manor.

I think adjustment on the tie rod is the only way other than disconnecting the steering shaft off the steering rack and adjusting it that way but that's a bigger pain to do.

 

AFAIK you shouldn't need to remove the tie rod ends. There should be jam nuts on the steering rack side you can loosen (along with the nuts on the rod ends) and twist the rods. You just need to make the adjustment on both sides or have strings set up to make sure your toe settings are not changed. For me this would be much easier than trying to adjust the steering wheel on the shaft (which I don't think you can do) or fiddle with the universal joints under the dash.

 

Thanks for the responses, guys. I'll check out the tie rod adjustment points.

Greg