Topic: Alignment question

[DougDyar]

My BOSS was completely disassembled when I purchased it.

I have several of the A-arm shims in the collection of hardware that came with the car, but no idea from where they came.

I have reassembled the front suspension and am wondering what I should do about installing shims behind the upper A-arms.

I realize each car is different, but I need a starting point. How many shims would one typically find behind the A-arms?

Thx!

Doug

[Tiggie]

I would try none at all and see if you can get it to align.

[jwc66k]

If that area is still unpainted, look for outlines of the old shims.
Find a nearby alignment shop and make an appointment. Tell them your situation and determine that they can do it. The shop I used could do alignments on cars using shims, but I had to supply the shims, they had none. Your new alignment will not be the same as your old.
That's your dilemma. 
Jim

[Bob Gaines]

FYI R+A Motorsports had the old style shims made up in the various thickness's out of stainless.  They look zinc plated like original however. They are for those that want the original style instead of the odd ball shaped substitutes available today.

[preaction]

I dont remember 67/70 using shims behind the upper control arm to get an alignment I thought this was a typical 65/66 thing, the OP said the car was "a collection of hardware" could he just be looking at fender spacers ?

[carlite65]

no shims on 67 up cars.

[Bob Gaines]

Concentric on the lower arm negates the use of shims on 67-70. 65/66 need shims.

[J_Speegle]

I realize each car is different, but I need a starting point. How many shims would one typically find behind the A-arms?

Agree with others. Given the site and our focus plus how the cars were originally built go with none and hopefully things will adjust out correctly, If not might want to get the unibody looked at on a frame machine as the spacers may have been there to compensate for something else

[DougDyar]

Agree with others. Given the site and our focus plus how the cars were originally built go with none and hopefully things will adjust out correctly, If not might want to get the unibody looked at on a frame machine as the spacers may have been there to compensate for something else

No shims it is! That certainly simplifies the task. I had imagined several rounds of checking alignment, adding a shim or two, rechecking, etc., as I have the equipment and plan to do the alignment myself. What a relief to find out none are likely used or needed.

Thanks to everyone who responded.

Jeff, I had the unit body checked for squareness early on in the restoration, and it is spot on. So hopefully the alignment will be pretty straightforward.

Thanks again, guys.

Doug

[67gt390fb]

Doug,  I did not see any mention about the upper control arms,  if they were dropped 1" or not
     On my last project, a 1969 coupe with 302 engine, I lowered  the upper control arms 1".     I started my alignment with the max allowable of 1/8" shims on the fronts only of upper control arms.   ( 1/8" is the max allowable thickness difference from 66 manual if i am remembering right)    This was done to add to the about 5 degrees positive caster I dialed in without pulling the lower control arms too far forward.
    Fender to tire clearance was tight and this kept tires centered in fender wheelwell better ,  and that much caster got steering wheel to return to about 1/4 turn from center

[J_Speegle]

Doug,  I did not see any mention about the upper control arms,  if they were dropped 1" or not..............

Given the focus here we would assume that the focus was on the original design and location. Likely why that possibility didn't come up