Frank,
This sounds pretty easy. But don't you first have to determine if you
have a parallel set of wheels based on centerline of the car? Then do
your measurements.
By the way, are the only adjustments the ball joints position on the
steering rack? The reason I ask is because I had to replace both ball
joints earlier and now I wonder if I have anywhere close to a square
aligned front end. She does want to veer to the right. I could have
one wheel heading dead straight and another veering of to the right,
correct? Wouldn't this have to be identified and corrected from
centerline measurements?
Now I'm all confused. Please help.
Thanks,
Dave
'62 Sprite MKII
Dublin, CA
Subject: Re: Car feels light at highway speeds
Author: Frank Clarici <spritenut@Exit109.com> at SONYCOM
Date: 6/14/99 10:40 PM
Mark Endicott wrote:
>
> Hi Spridgeteers,
>
> I had the opportunity to take a little trip with some other LBC's this
> weekend and they got a little ahead of me. In my attempt to catch up I
> was driving the Midget at about 75+ a little. I noticed that it seems
> to get real light at speeds over 70. By light I mean that it felt like
> it had a mind of its own and didn't want to go straight down the road.
> I haven't noticed this before, but I had a weekends worth of stuff in
> the boot and my wife in the right seat. I must have had about 450 lbs
> in the car, (of course my wife added very little of the total). It was
> suggested that the toe may need to be set, can I just do this with a
> ruler at the front and rear of the wheel? Any idea what spec. is for
> measuring it this way? (Do I remember 1/4 inch wider in the back than
> the front?) Shocks are good, upper bushings are new, wheels and tires
> are new, 3/4 anti-sway bar, new wheel bearings and no play in the king
> pin joints or any where else that I can find.
>
Mark
You should fell them at 100 MPH!!! They feel airborn.
You can check and adjust your toe-in with a tape measure at home on flat
ground.
Drive the car onto a flat surface, do NOT jack it up. Measure as close
to the center of the wheel as possible and to the outermost tire tread
from wheel to wheel.
Remember this number, no repeat this across the beack of the front
wheels, the number should be 1/8" less in the front then in the back.
1/16 to 1/8" toe in is correct.
You should measure something like 50 7/8" in across the front and 50
3/4" across the back.
Mind you this is not super accurate laser front end alignment but it is
a reasonably close home alternative.
It has worked for me for years, I never had a spridget to a front end
shop and never had any tire wear due to out of whack toe.
--
Frank Clarici
Toms River, NJ
Bugeye Sprite
67 Sprite
59 A40
http://www.exit109.com/~spritenut/
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