'79 C-10 Alignement

[kopeck]

Hi,

My '79 C-10/BIG10 was wearing one front tire on the inside and the other on the outside.  I dropped it off at the local shop to have it aligned.  As soon as I got it on the road I noticed that it seemed to want to wander when I was in corners.  I didn't notice it on straight aways but it just seemed unstable in turns, especially long sweeping ones.

I looked at my ticket and I did notice that they used '82 specs to align the thing, I'm not sure if that's a problem or not?

Either way it didn't do this before and now it does.  I know I have to go back but is there anything I should mention when I do?  I don't have the sheet on hand but I can post what they set it to later.

K 

[zieg85]

Read  http://www.ozebiz.com.au/racetech/theory/align.html  it sheds a light on what happens especially with Caster as it affects how it drives. 

[zieg85]

Any reputable shop will make it right it you tell them what you don't like about how it drives, especially if you understand how it works. 

[Da67goatman]

I always give them the specs I want it set at, never leave it to them, they don't know what's best for your vehicle especially if it is anything other than stock.  i say have them set it to -0.5* to -1.5* camber with 0* toe and caster needs to be equal on both side, also check for thrust angle.  The camber is determined by how you drive, the more aggressive you corner the more camber you need.  There is no right and wrong when it comes to alignment, its something you tune with.  Adjusting understeer, oversteer, ect.

[kopeck]

Thanks guys,

After reading this:

http://www.familycar.com/alignment.htm

to get a handle on thrust angle I think that might be part of the problem.  My steering wheel is now off center as well.  On these trucks how does one take into account for the thrust angle being off?

K

[Captkaos]

You can only do a thrust alignment on these pickups, there is no adjustments unless something is apparently bend or misaligned.   

Is you steering wheel off center, or the Steering off center?  If it is just the Steering wheel, this is pretty common as they generally set the wheel and then do the alignment and it could be off, the only way to correct it properly is to take it back and complain.

[kopeck]

Yup, I'll bring it back.

I wanted to stop and get it booked today but work ran long.

I always bragged how well the old girl handled, I'm not happy going backwards.

K