Rebuilding front suspension. How bad will the alignment be when done? | FerrariChat
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Rebuilding front suspension. How bad will the alignment be when done?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by PeterS, Jun 27, 2005.

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  1. PeterS

    PeterS Five Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 24, 2003
    52,571
    Goodyear, AZ
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    PeterS
    #1 PeterS, Jun 27, 2005
    How ugly will the alignment be when I'm done? I'll be reassembling with all of the washers and shims in the same place as when I took them off. Also, since I live in a town where my choice for an alignment center is Big-O), should I flatbed the car to a larger city (If the alignment is really gross?).
     
  2. pma1010

    pma1010 F1 Rookie

    Jul 21, 2002
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    Chicago
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    Philip
    #2 pma1010, Jun 27, 2005
    Drive it a short distance and see once you have it back together. As long as it isn't grossly out, you can "get away with" quite a lot.
    Philip
     
  3. Dave

    Dave F1 Rookie

    Apr 15, 2001
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    David Jones
    #3 Dave, Jun 27, 2005
    I'd wait till you finish with all of the suspension, front and rear,
    and then have the alignment done once instead of twice.
     
  4. Mike C

    Mike C F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Aug 3, 2002
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    Mike Charness
    #4 Mike C, Jun 27, 2005
    It WILL be WAY off but you'll be able to drive it to the alignment shop -- but don't judge the quality of the ride until after your alignment.
     
  5. seschroeder

    seschroeder Formula Junior

    Apr 25, 2002
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    Alexandria, VA
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    Steve Schroeder
    #5 seschroeder, Jun 27, 2005
    If you pay close attention to the number, and placement, of the shims AND don't change the tie rod ends it is amazing how close it will be. When I did my suspension I had already changed the tie rod ends and had the car aligned. After the rebuild I, of course, had the car aligned again and it was almost exact.
     
  6. GTO84

    GTO84 Formula Junior

    Dec 13, 2003
    566
    #6 GTO84, Jul 4, 2005
    The toe came out pretty good, for eyeballing it. Just get the front toe set.

    Set the toe and let it go.....

    There werent any camber shims though. hmmm. Your tires wear well now.
     
  7. Verell

    Verell F1 Veteran
    Consultant Owner

    May 5, 2001
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    Groton, MA
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    Verell Boaen
    #7 Verell, Jul 4, 2005
    Bottom line is 'it depends...' & 'your mileage may vary'.

    A lot will depend on how degraded the rubber bushings are, and if it was aligned to compensate for the bushing degradation.

    It's actually better if it hasn't been aligned to compensate for the bushings ageing, will be closer to where the new bushings will put it.

    As you can see from the previous post, experiences vary. Still it should be driveable unless you've changed the tie rod ends, they have the most dramatic effect on driving.
     

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