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Hi Gentlemen, I am restoring a 1971 LS5 coupe and currently have the body off of the frame. I replaced the trailing arm bushings and would like to set up the toe in while the body is off.With the body removed there is not enough weight to compress the rear spring to reach the adjustment ride height. My question is what is the quick and dirty solution to achieving the 1.63 deminsion between the strut rod ends called out in the assembly manual? Is this the only way to properly set the toe? Thanks, Brett Driscoll
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Re: 63-82 rear toe adjustment body off
Brett----
First off, I don't understand why you would want to set the rear toe at this stage of your restoration. Even if you do set it now, you'll likely need to have it set again after the restoration is complete and the car is on the road. So, what will you have gained by doing it twice? I'd suggest that you rough it in now, then have it aligned as a final step of the restoration.
If you still feel that you want to do it now, it will be necessary for you to simulate the "loaded" condition if there is to be any hope of getting the settings even near-correct. To do this you will have to apply weight to the frame, then roll the frame on the tires to stabilize the suspension. Recheck the suspension geometry measurements(including the one you mentioned in your post)until you get it within AIM specs. This will be a lenghthy trial and error process. Then, when you get it right, trundle the frame down to your chosen alignment shop for the actual adjustment. I just can't imagine going through all this effort, only to have to do the job over again anyway when the car is complete. Remember, even if you get the toe set EXACTLY right the first time, you'll never be sure about it unless you have it checked after completion of the job. Chances are great that, at a minimum, the adjustment will need to be "fine-tuned" and the alignment shop will probably charge you just about as much for this as they would if they were doing it for the first time from "scratch". But, to each his own.In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Re: 63-82 rear toe adjustment body off
Brett----
First off, I don't understand why you would want to set the rear toe at this stage of your restoration. Even if you do set it now, you'll likely need to have it set again after the restoration is complete and the car is on the road. So, what will you have gained by doing it twice? I'd suggest that you rough it in now, then have it aligned as a final step of the restoration.
If you still feel that you want to do it now, it will be necessary for you to simulate the "loaded" condition if there is to be any hope of getting the settings even near-correct. To do this you will have to apply weight to the frame, then roll the frame on the tires to stabilize the suspension. Recheck the suspension geometry measurements(including the one you mentioned in your post)until you get it within AIM specs. This will be a lenghthy trial and error process. Then, when you get it right, trundle the frame down to your chosen alignment shop for the actual adjustment. I just can't imagine going through all this effort, only to have to do the job over again anyway when the car is complete. Remember, even if you get the toe set EXACTLY right the first time, you'll never be sure about it unless you have it checked after completion of the job. Chances are great that, at a minimum, the adjustment will need to be "fine-tuned" and the alignment shop will probably charge you just about as much for this as they would if they were doing it for the first time from "scratch". But, to each his own.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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