Question about front suspension Geometry

[SeattleDiver]

Hi All,

Scott here. New member from Seattle.
I just started my roadster and I am super excited about it. I have been waiting several years until I had more room in my garage.
I have a decent amount of experience with cars. I completely redid my 68 Corvette restomod with a 600hp Fuel Injected 496 and a ton of mods which I did all myself. So I am feeling pretty good about getting into this. But I can tell that I will struggle at first understanding where to deviate from the manual.

I got my front suspension together and something in the geometry doesn't look right. I followed the suggested measurements on the top control arm, but they aren't looking the same.
The driver side looks right, with the upper and lower ball joints inline with the shock. But on the passenger side, the upper ball joint looks like it sits about 1/2 - 3/4" too far back. It puts the spindle at a bit of a weird angle. See the difference in these pics:

193400

Here are the measurements vs the manual.

193403193402193401193404

Any help is appreciated. Should I be adjusting the upper control arms to sit straight?

[JJK]

do the drivers side and passenger side match the dimensions in the manual? note the front and back dimensions from the manual shows a diagram for the passenger side. the measurements are the same for drivers side, but the control arm has the connecting bolts in different places. it appears you have them installed correctly but not adjusted equally side to side. also, if running power steering you will be limited on your caster unless you trim the ends of the couplers and bolts on the back of the control arms.

[Bill Elliott]

short leg of upper arm should be on rear for both arms,,, you didnt flip for pass side

[BUDFIVE]

I just finished mine. At first it’s tough to visualize. The rear leg should be shorter, which sets the upper ball joint back (rearward) from the lower ball joint (about 8 degrees positive caster with power steering). Your passenger side has this geometry. I can’t read the ruler in the pics but the driver side rear leg (caliper side in pic) is not shorter so the ball joint is in line. I think the passenger side is correct. Here’s a pic with them side by side.193405

[CraigS]

Yep, the rear sleeve should be the shortest on both sides.

[BUDFIVE]

…and as JJK correctly points out, the short rear leg is limited in adjustment toward the power steering caster spec. If you zoom on my picture both rear leg couplers have been shortened. The threaded rod on the short leg is trimmed as well so the rods don’t meet in the center of the coupling.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Set them like this and you'll be real close initially. Note that my dimensions at the cross shaft are from the center of the grease zerks, not the pivot bolts.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=189078&d=1666032431

Jeff

[cv2065]

Easiest way for me to remember is that the welded joint is at the top on the driver's side, and on the bottom on the passenger side.

[SeattleDiver]

What a fantastic response. You guys didn't let me down.
I will take a look at these today and adjust the suspension accordingly.

Greatly appreciated!!!!

[Mike.Bray]

The manual is incorrect.

When in doubt, go with what Jeff says. Even if not in doubt, do what Jeff says.

It doesn't look like your rear sleeves are trimmed. You will need to trim them down to get Jeff's dimensions. His dims are for power steering BTW.

[SeattleDiver]

Set them like this and you'll be real close initially. Note that my dimensions at the cross shaft are from the center of the grease zerks, not the pivot bolts.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=189078&d=1666032431

Jeff

This pic did the trick! Thanks so much for posting it Jeff!

[Bill Elliott]

I'm pretty sure Jeff has that one on speed dial. ;)

[Mike.Bray]

I'm pretty sure Jeff has that one on speed dial. ;)

It should be a sticky.

[CraigS]

If you need your sleeves shortened send me an email craigstuardatcomcastdotnet, subject 'FFR' so I don't delete it. Mail them to me and enclose $10 for return shipping. I will shorten them on my lathe and mail them back within a few days.