Initial rough alignment?

[PaulRSchmidt]

Per the manual, the solid-side adjusting sleeve should measure 7-3/8 from the center of the pivot bolt to the center of the grease fitting. Even with the sleeve cranked all the way short, I’m still about 1/8 too long. Concerns? Fixes?

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[JohnK]

This is a pretty common problem. The solution is to trim the ends of the rearward adjusting sleeves and a corresponding amount off the threaded pieces. Here's a link (https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?31167-Greek-Guys-Garage-Roadster-Build-9509-(glove-box-finished)&p=360743&viewfull=1#post360743) to the post in my build thread, but you can find this discussed pretty often if you search on something like "UCA mods" or "cutting UCA adjusting sleeves" or something to that effect.

[edwardb]

Just to be clear, you're trying to do power steering settings? Not unusual to need to cut the sleeves for power steering because of the added caster. Not so common with manual steering. Personally, I'm pretty conservative about cutting things. Hard to put material back on... The three front alignment specs (caster, camber, toe) all interact to a significant degree. Personally, I'd wait until you're doing the actual alignment and measuring all three to confirm you need to cut. Just my personal style. It's not hard to take the sleeve off and trim. Your at 1/8" now. That's very close for this stage of the build.

[PaulRSchmidt]

Thanks, that’s pretty clear. Why did you have to cut the threads? Do they run into each other inside the sleeve?

[PaulRSchmidt]

Yes, power steering.

[Fixit]

This will give you an idea of what's happening, and why you can't get dialed in to the numbers you want.
x-ray vision tube (https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?27544-40-Watt-Garage-6200-miles&p=354295&viewfull=1#post354295)

[PaulRSchmidt]

Very cool, thanks.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Paul,
Disregard references to “solid side” because that is different left to right. What matters is forward leg or rear leg of the control arm. For initial rough alignment I measure from the grease fitting on the shaft pivot to the grease fitting on the ball joint. For power steering the measurement on the forward leg will be approximately 8 1/2” and the rear will be approximately 9 1/4”. To achieve 8 degrees of positive caster and.75 degrees of negative camber it is almost always necessary to cut the rear adjustment sleeve and trim back the male threads that they mate with.

Jeff

[CraigS]

Unless I am misinterpreting the picture, the sleave you have pictured is the one that will end up being midway in it's adjustment range so no need to worry about making it shorter. The rear sleaves are the ones that may need shortening to get enough caster along w/ camber. BTW if you need it, I can turn the sleaves shorter on my lathe. No charge, just put $10 in the box to cover return postage. Email me at craig stuard at comcast dot net and put FFR sleaves as the subject so I don't automatically delete it.

[PaulRSchmidt]

Oh, duh, the rear adjusters. Thanks for catching me on that.

[PaulRSchmidt]

Yes, as Jeff pointed out, I should be looking at the rear sleeves, not the ones with a solid mount.

Thank you for your kind offer, I can shorten them here.

[PaulRSchmidt]

Success!

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