Front end alignment question?

[MERCULES]

I have an appointment for an alignment and I have the proper carfixer specs. with a note that the flags will need cut off the bolts to meet the adjustment.

My question is what bolt is being cut, is it the camber bolts? Not a mechanic but would like to learn a little more when I can.

Thanks in advance, :)

[RubberCtyRauder]

Pic of flag..see how it is tack welded to the bolt hex... (not my car pic)
http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu92/mdnos/flag_zpsa617e7b0.jpg

[MERCULES]

Great photo thanks, so is the tack weld cut off and the flag removed entirely, or the flag stays after the weld is cut.

Is that a camber bolt?

Not me doing the work, just curious, I am sure the alignment shop will know what to do.

[justbob]

Yes that's the factory camber bolt, and yes the flag comes completely off.


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[JBeezy]

I'd like to see if your alignment shop can actually get car fixer specs with the factory camber bolt. Mine couldnt. I have the aftermarket bolt kit, but never had it installed

[MERCULES]

I will be sure to post how it turns out,

I assumed that if the info posted on hear says remove the flag then you can reach the specs. or it would say get the camber bolt set?

[justbob]

I'd like to see if your alignment shop can actually get car fixer specs with the factory camber bolt. Mine couldnt. I have the aftermarket bolt kit, but never had it installed


Mine couldn't get it dead on even with the bolt kit. Super close and the wheels are straight for once in six years!


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[fastblackmerc]

I'd like to see if your alignment shop can actually get car fixer specs with the factory camber bolt. Mine couldnt. I have the aftermarket bolt kit, but never had it installed
My shop has adjusted mine to Carfixers specs deadon ever year since 2004.

I am replacing both bolts since the heads are getting rounded off.

[JBeezy]

Mine couldn't get it dead on even with the bolt kit. Super close and the wheels are straight for once in six years!


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Bob, I've had this for kit for over a year. Will probably get my alignment shop to install it.

[JBeezy]

My shop has adjusted mine to Carfixers specs deadon ever year since 2004.

I am replacing both bolts since the heads are getting rounded off.
I wonder why some can and some can't.

[fastblackmerc]

I wonder why some can and some can't.

Probably the same reason why some cars dyno higher number than others when new.

:dunno: Luck of the draw I guess.

[MMBLUE]

I wonder why some can and some can't.

You can remove the bolt and dremel/ round file/ clean up the bolt slot. This will facilitate for better adjustments. Factory aluminum casting burs/ imperfections can prevent carfixer alignment specs. Doing this before going to the alignment shop would be recommended. ;)

[JBeezy]

You can remove the bolt and dremel/ round file/ clean up the bolt slot. This will facilitate for better adjustments. Factory aluminum casting burs/ imperfections can prevent carfixer alignment specs. Doing this before going to the alignment shop would be recommended. ;)
Doesn't sound like a lot, but not sure if I should fool with it, lol. I can do some pretty intense mechanical work, but hate going into new projects blind. May do some research on it and try it

[MMBLUE]

Doesn't sound like a lot, but not sure if I should fool with it, lol. I can do some pretty intense mechanical work, but hate going into new projects blind. May do some research on it and try it

Your probably not going to find out much about on here. We did it to BigCars4ever's MM and it worked out well. Give a PM to him for details if you'd like to get more info on it. It was recommended by the alignment technician at Ford to him. It wasn't that much of a project. Just sux doing it on your back lol.

[JBeezy]

Gotcha. I'll do that

[camelgrundle]

If you have the kit you line up the new washers (flags) an then mark the new hole position and grind it out towards the motor on both sides. It's a pain in the ass but I did it so anyone can. You have to unbolt the rack for enough clearance to remove the camber bolts. And then slide the brackets on the inside down so you dont grind both pieces. can do that with a pry bar. Took me 5 hours with beer breaks.

[MMBLUE]

If you have the kit you line up the new washers (flags) an then mark the new hole position and grind it out towards the motor on both sides. It's a pain in the ass but I did it so anyone can. You have to unbolt the rack for enough clearance to remove the camber bolts. And then slide the brackets on the inside down so you dont grind both pieces. can do that with a pry bar. Took me 5 hours with beer breaks.

Great explanation :banana:. We didn't have beer so.... I don't remember how long it took. It was however, a PITA

[vtwoodsman]

I'd like to see if your alignment shop can actually get car fixer specs with the factory camber bolt. Mine couldnt. I have the aftermarket bolt kit, but never had it installed

My Alignment specialist had no problem adjusting to the CarFixer Specs with the factory setup.

[camelgrundle]

If your coils or shocks are bad sometimes you can not get to car fixers specs because the car would be lower than normal.

[JBeezy]

If your coils or shocks are bad sometimes you can not get to car fixers specs because the car would be lower than normal.
Well I did cut a coil off to lower it a little.

[camelgrundle]

You will most likely need to install the camber bolts then.

[camelgrundle]

How does the camber look now?

[justbob]

If you have the kit you line up the new washers (flags) an then mark the new hole position and grind it out towards the motor on both sides. It's a pain in the ass but I did it so anyone can. You have to unbolt the rack for enough clearance to remove the camber bolts. And then slide the brackets on the inside down so you dont grind both pieces. can do that with a pry bar. Took me 5 hours with beer breaks.


This^

But what brackets are you sliding down?

I just wire tied the rack as high up as I could get it and used a small air drill with a cheap $5 Vermont American grinding bit. Total cake.


Builder Of Badassery

[camelgrundle]

The metal arm inside where the camber bolts go through. Lower control arm maybe lol.

[justbob]

Oh you meant the lower control arm? Gotcha. Easier to just remove it altogether and get it out of the way.

I was thinking of taking pics when I did this last weekend and figured just as easily written like you did. It's pretty straight forward.


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[camelgrundle]

Their is a very good video on youtube if you search for spc camber bolt kit crown Vic. It was a pita for me no air tools and my dremel burned out in the middle of the first side. Used a metal hand file for the other side lol. Oh yeah and on jack stands.

[justbob]

A file? OMG I feel your pain!


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[camelgrundle]

Lol yeah I think I got carpel tunnel that day.

[Gryphonzus]

I did the new camber kit install myself too and it was a pain in the backside and mine was on a lift. I tried everywhere looking for an air grinder and could not find one, so I settled for a craftsman cordless angle drill from sears. It worked but it sure took a long time. My alignment guy said I had just enough to meet the carfixer spec and a tiny bit left over.

[fastblackmerc]

I did the new camber kit install myself too and it was a pain in the backside and mine was on a lift. I tried everywhere looking for an air grinder and could not find one, so I settled for a craftsman cordless angle drill from sears. It worked but it sure took a long time. My alignment guy said I had just enough to meet the carfixer spec and a tiny bit left over.

Did you try Harbor Freight?

[Gryphonzus]

I tried Harbor Freight, sears, Lowes, Home depot, and several auto parts stores. No luck.

[burt ragio]

Approximately how much are you elongating the slots on the motor side ?
What is the part # for the camber kit & were can it be purchased ?

[RubberCtyRauder]

Camber bolts made by SPC . Can be purchased thru them but can be bought cheaper thru summit racing, tire rack, Amazon . Around $50-60 for the pair.

[camelgrundle]

Approximately how much are you elongating the slots on the motor side ?
What is the part # for the camber kit & were can it be purchased ?

If I remember correctly around 3/8ths to half inch ish lol. When you line up the new washers just mark the new hole with a sharpie and grind till the mark is gone.

[tbone]

I didn't use Carfixer's specs. Just went to a good shop that specializes in alignments. Camber was noticeably off by sight and wear on the inside of the tires was present. Had camber and toe adjusted and the car tracks, drives and looks perfect. It was the car's first alignment since leaving the factory. Plus the Nitto Motivos are a huge improvement over the BFG's.

[MERCULES]

Well my alignment appt. was a total waste of time this morning. I took the specs on a piece of paper and the guy said he was ok and did not need it, hmmm.
Then I went into the shop area and he said he did not know what bolt I meant, so I showed him the photo someone posted here (thanks) he said no he would not do that because it would make the whole wheel assembly move in and out. At that point I bailed and said I would get more info and let him know. I Got the heck outta there asap.

I have an appointment next week with another shop I dropped into and had a long conversation with.

What a total piss off, and this was at an alignment shop only, they do nothing else, and could not print anything off regarding where it is at and the finished product, he says no they cannot do that. I think he hates Marauders.

[camelgrundle]

It's a good thing you left.

[lifespeed]

Well my alignment appt. was a total waste of time this morning. I took the specs on a piece of paper and the guy said he was ok and did not need it, hmmm.
Then I went into the shop area and he said he did not know what bolt I meant, so I showed him the photo someone posted here (thanks) he said no he would not do that because it would make the whole wheel assembly move in and out. At that point I bailed and said I would get more info and let him know. I Got the heck outta there asap.

I have an appointment next week with another shop I dropped into and had a long conversation with.

What a total piss off, and this was at an alignment shop only, they do nothing else, and could not print anything off regarding where it is at and the finished product, he says no they cannot do that. I think he hates Marauders.

I have run into that before too. It's your car, your money. They do as you want or no business. Providing before/after numbers is standard practice and an expectation of any savvy customer.

[RubberCtyRauder]

here is the company that makes them but as mentioned earlier by me, can be bought elsewhere for cheaper..has a link to a how to video as well

http://spcalignment.net/component/spc/?task=part_description&pid=87365

[justbob]

He didn't know what a camber bolt looked like or what it's supposed to do? WOW. Run.


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[fastblackmerc]

WOW!!!

Moves the wheel in and out.... guess he doesn't know what camber is... good thing you didn't stick around.

[justbob]

Here is what I used to grind it out. Just a rarely used cheap air drill I bought many moons ago:
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/13/70177ede2f97ef79df5006a3114396 ee.jpg

And here's the bit I bought at Ace Hardware for under $5.00. About ten minutes total for both sides. Can't go wrong with that

http://vermontamerican.com/products/rotary-files/


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