[Shotimes] Re: Alignment

[Neno Albert]

--- Alan Fanning <Awfanning@earthlink.net> wrote:
> For front alignment, Doug recommends a somewhat tighter spec on camber,
> slightly unequal caster (0.5 deg more on the right side) and a bit more
> toe-in. Nothing dramatically different.
> 
> However, for rear alignment, Doug recommends A LOT more camber, and quite a
> bit of toe-OUT, neither of which I can follow the justification for.
> 

Doug Lewis' specs are not that far out, IMO. They're just more aggressive. With a large amount of
camber, toe is a significant factor regarding whether your vehicle will settle as much traction as
possible through turns, although prematurely wearing the tires in more common daily driving
manners. The increase in toe will provide a flatter tire patch as the camber is effected through a
turn. I believe the wheels toe-in as the camber is shifted positive. Vice versa for negative
camber. The most important lesson i've learnt regarding the vehicles' alignment is to maintain a
smaller camber spread and increase the caster spread. Reason? Caster is a non-wearing angle,
therefore the reduction of camber impacting how "straight" the alignment is will potentially,
although not always, impact tire wear. Of course, it's hard to justify any aggressive settings,
but aiming past -0.8 on a mostly street vehicle would be overkill. 0 camber in the rear would also
seem rather "soft" for the SHO. I wouldn't run my car at any more positive than 0.6 in back. I've
experienced a "wondering" rear end set up too positive. Esp w/ the '89 swaybar setup..

As for toe in and toe out... Toe-in is positive toe, meaning the front of the tire is pushed in
(as would be on drivers wheel if steering wheel turned to the right). Toe-out is negative toe,
meaning the front of the tire is pulled out (as would be with wheel turned to the left). Wow, hope
that makes sense to ya! lol..

> 
>  Thanks,
> 
>        Alan
>                     SHOtimes             Doug L
>                     L      R            L      R
>  Front          
>   Camber (deg)    -0.5 to -1.0*      -0.8 to -0.9
>   Caster (deg)       max*             +4     +4.5
>   Toe-In (inch)   -0.1 to 0 total*   -0.12 total*
>  Rear         
>   Camber (deg)    -0 to -0.25        -1.5    -1.5
>   Toe-In (inch)   -0 to 0.06 total*  +0.14"  +0.14"
>          
>         * balanced side-to-side
> 
> 
> I wrote:
> 
> > 
> > I am confused as to whether toe-in is positive or negative "toe".  The
> > articles on the SHOtimes web site don't seem to be consistent in this regard
> > (the article on "alignment problems" seeming to contradict the other
> > articles).
> > 
> > Can anyone clarify this for certain?
> > 
> > More questions to follow.
> > 
> >     Alan 
> > 
> > 
> > --__--__--
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