Wheel Alignment

[Redskinsjbs]

Hey Guys,

So having replaced my suspension I now have a question.

The PO had lowered the front of the car nearly 3.5 inches, and me not wanting to bottom out at every pothole just repleced that spring with a stock one. Now that that the wheel sits in a different place, and I know that I need to give the front end an alignment. The question is simple.

How do I do that?

I figure that since the GT has a pretty unique suspension it would be somewhat difficult for a tire shop to figure out how to properly set the alignment.

Also, if I want a daily driver car, and it has all stock suspension and drive train except for 15/50/195 tires, what should the various caster and camber angles be?

[hrcollinsjr]

If the PO lowered the car 3.5", I doubt it was in specs unless he did some extra work. After the suspension has settled in, look to see if the wheels are close to being vertical/plumb. If they aren't, see if rotating the upper ball joint will improve the situation. Unless that has been modified that should be all you have to do for camber.

Caster is a little more involved with moving the washers forward or backward on the upper control arm through bolt. Here is a thread explaining it in a little more detail. http://www.opelgt.com/forums/3a-fron...-question.html This will probably be correct unless some damage has been done at some point.

All that should be left then is toe in which you can do good enough to drive for a short period of time until you can get to an alignment shop.

Sound simple enough?

HTH,

Harold

[newman27]

Originally Posted by Redskinsjbs ...I figure that since the GT has a pretty unique suspension it would be somewhat difficult for a tire shop to figure out how to properly set the alignment...

Actually, I have used Kauffman Tire here and they did a great job. They even had the GT specs for alignment and tire pressure in their computer system. In fact, I just got back from there a few minutes ago because I needed a tire rotation and balance. So, you may have some luck with a local store or national chain.

[wrench459]

Originally Posted by Redskinsjbs Hey Guys, Also, if I want a daily driver car, and it has all stock suspension and drive train except for 15/50/195 tires, what should the various caster and camber angles be?

The stock specs works good for me.
caster 3(+-1) camber 1(+-1/2) toe l/32 - l/8
The wider the tire the closer to zero for the camber, you'll need a little to prevent tire squirm and longer tread life.
Now for some fun
If its a street car and you like to take some curves.
Set the camber 5/16 on the negative side, that way the tire in a turn will place the max. tread contact on the pavement.

[Redskinsjbs]

So I was looking through some of my photos and I noticed that one of my upper control arms has a deformation in it.

It exists in the interior hole for the bushing. Is this going to be a problem down the road?

If I need a new upper control arm, does someone have one that I may use?

The first two photos are of the non-round whole and the third is of the opposing side which is round.
It is not the entire outer sleeve that isn't round, it is just the edge.

[Redskinsjbs]

Will this deformation be a problem?

[RallyBob]

Can't tell on my monitor, the pictures are a bit dark and kinda fuzzy.

Do the bushings fit in the a-arm by hand? If so you'll be fine, if not then they will likely bind.