View Full Version : Front end alignment preferences for street use?
DAVID_T
10-03-2022, 04:19 PM
I need to take my car in to get aligned. It's purely for street use in a 351w running about 375hp and a 96 Cobra Mustang suspension where a donor is necessary. If that even matters.
Is there an overall favorite alignment setup people have been using?
The MKIII manual doesn't have anything that I can see, but I heard the MKIV manual has a page with a suggested alignment specs.
Thank you!
JeffP
10-03-2022, 04:47 PM
These are the specs from the MK4, not sure how they apply.
Alignment specs
Camber: -0.5 to -0.75°
Total Toe: 1/8” Toe in or 0.28° in
Chopper
10-03-2022, 04:51 PM
Don't forget, 3 degrees caster for manual steering, 7-8 degrees for power steering.
What rear end are you running? Self alignment is not too hard on these.
JeffP
10-03-2022, 04:58 PM
Don't forget, 3 degrees caster for manual steering, 7-8 degrees for power steering.
What rear end are you running? Self alignment is not too hard on these.
Thank you! I knew there was another place in the book where it was mentioned and couldn't find it the first time. Also from the Mk4 book:
Front
For a car using a manual steering rack or the power rack without power use the following specifications:
Caster: 3*
Camber: -0.5*
Total Toe: 1/16”
For a car using power steering car use the following specifications:
Caster: 7*
Camber: -0.5*
Total Toe: 1/16”
2015 IRS only
Camber: -0.5*to -0.75°
Total Toe: 1/8” Toe in
DAVID_T
10-03-2022, 05:41 PM
It's power steering, and I am running the 8.8 solid rear axle from a the 96 Cobra.
Awesome! Thank you guys!
Morrisett
10-03-2022, 06:17 PM
Just had mine done over the weekend. My specs are the same as yours. He did say he loosen some bolts on the rear 4 link and centered what he could. 173309
I've read on some build threads about guys preemptively shortening one of the arms (like taking a saw to the coupler and the threaded rod) on the uca's in order to increase the adjustability for increased camber (up to around 8). Is that still a thing?
CraigS
10-04-2022, 07:21 AM
If you decide you want to shorten the rear UCA sleeves I can do it for you on my old metal lathe. No charge other than $10 to cover shipping back to you. Email me at craigstuardat comcast dot net and put FFR as the subject so I don't delete it.
egchewy79
10-04-2022, 07:31 AM
I've read on some build threads about guys preemptively shortening one of the arms (like taking a saw to the coupler and the threaded rod) on the uca's in order to increase the adjustability for increased camber (up to around 8). Is that still a thing?
for power steering, you'll need to shorten the rear link (sleeve and bolts) in order to get the 7-8* caster. no modification needed for manual rack. I'd take CraigS up on his offer unless you are confident doing it yourself.
Craig did the sleeves for me and I have them back (THANKS CRAIG!). How much should I lop off each of the bolts on the trailing arms (there are 2 per UCA)?
CraigS
10-18-2022, 07:08 AM
I would lop about 1/4 inch off each bolt just on the rear sleeves..For others reading this thread a little backround. Leaving everything stock you can usually get about +6deg caster w/ minimum negative camber of maybe 1/2 deg. As you adjust for more camber and or more caster the rear sleeve bottoms out. At that point the only way to get more caster is to adjust for less negative camber. The other problem comes in from slight variations in production tolerances. You might get the left side to 6.5 caster and .5 camber but then you get to the right side and can only get 6 caster w/ .5 camber. Now you have to go back to the left and readjust it to 6 caster so it matches the right. The car isn't terrible w/ 6 caster but it is much nicer w/ 7-8 caster. It has more tendency to track straight w/ more caster so it is more pleasant to drive. Also, if you autocross, to maximise front grip you want a lot more negative camber up to about 3-3.5 deg depending on tires.
Jeff Kleiner
10-18-2022, 07:10 AM
I would lop about 1/4 inch off each bolt just on the rear sleeves..
I concur!
Jeff
nick7405
10-19-2022, 09:29 AM
Your telling me after finally completing the build I gotta remove the from upper control arms :(
Hoooper
10-19-2022, 10:04 AM
Even with manual steering you might need to, it should just be part of the build manual. 4.5 degrees caster and -1 camber and I needed to cut off a fair amount from mine.
CraigS
10-20-2022, 06:57 AM
Nick have you done the alignment yet? You may not 'have' to pull them. I prefer the steering feel at 7-8deg caster, and it tracks down the interstate better, but that is not mandatory at all. OTOH winter is coming so there are bound to be some months in NH when you can't drive it anyway. And my offer to trim the sleeves stands for anyone who needs it done. Ship them and put a $10 bill in with them which will cover the return postage.
nick7405
10-20-2022, 08:03 AM
Nick have you done the alignment yet? You may not 'have' to pull them. I prefer the steering feel at 7-8deg caster, and it tracks down the interstate better, but that is not mandatory at all. OTOH winter is coming so there are bound to be some months in NH when you can't drive it anyway. And my offer to trim the sleeves stands for anyone who needs it done. Ship them and put a $10 bill in with them which will cover the return postage.
I have not done the alignment yet. Still debating on to get longacre or lahzens caster caliber tool. It’s one of the last things to complete prior to inspection.
I guess I should update the profile, now we live in Bremerton Washington but winters are just at wet, just rain rather than snow.
Illl definitely take you up on the offer and reach out in a few weeks. This community is definitely Awesome