I went to get my car aligned and they told me that one of my control arms were out of wack and I needed a body shop to fix it. they pulled my car out and they had not done a thing.

My alignment was still way off and I asked if you could measure anything with the wheels so far off and pretty much told him to go #$^% himself took it home and did the best line up I could .

the car drives straight and when you take your hand off the wheel it goes straight and when you accelerate with the hand off the wheel it goes straight and when you hit the breaks ya straight.

I am still a bit concerned with what he said because of that little voice in the back of my head saying what if your wrong.

Does anyone know how to measure the front control arm to tell if they are straight.

Oh yeah also has anyone rebuilt there steering box and if so how do I get parts

 

have you tried a different shop ?

sounds kinda wierd to me

like maybe an inexperienced tech checked your car, or the machine is off

or something else

probably, imho

how is tire wear up front, are they both worn the same amount ?

any odd wear, or rough feeling treads when feeling the tires from inner edge of tread across to outer ?


how do you drive the car ?

do you drive fast around turns more often than not,

alot of in town driving or more highway than in town ?

the way you drive cana ffect how the tires can feel/wear and hide alignment issues

but it really sounds like you dont have any issues with alighment

howcome you took it to the shop ?

jut for a checkup,. or ?


good luck

 

I used this shop because it is just around the corner and I just finished the front suspention, springs tie rod and so forth

the tires are new and I have been building this car for 4 years now and have put maybe 300 miles on it so far.

I have talked to a few other people around here(southern Il), and they said that shop is garbage. I am a Chi-Town man trying to avoid the snow while going to school for free in IL

what I really want to know is how to rebuild my gear box!

 

Is your gear box leaking? Most rebuild kits will replace the seals along with the input and pitman bearings. If it's just loose you may want to bench adjust it.

 

yeah I have been reading about that and it sounds like the ticket. I also want to replace my leather bushing. naf do you or anyone else have some tips on doing this.

 

There's a tech article on montecarloss.com on bench adjusting your steering box. It needs to come out of the car (about 30 minutes if you've done it a time or two). Also gives you a chance to flush your power steering fluid, check everything for leaks, etc.

I pulled the box out of my camaro and adjusted it some time ago. It was a rebuilt box and was way too tight. I'm pulling the box out of my TA to rebuild because it leaks. I'd be working on it now but I noticed the water pump leaking as I pulled it into the garage yesterday. Later this week I can let you know how it goes.

I didn't rebuild the camaro box myself cause I went from a 4 turn to a 2.75 turn box.

 

more than likely my gear box is not high performance. the car was a v-6 with ground effects originally. I am going to adjust the gear box and use it untill it pukes. It is one of the only pieces that I can call stock on the whole car. My car could not enter a all original class.

 

The main difference is the number of turns lock to lock.

When you pull it off to adjust you can hit it with some POR15 or other paint. Cleans it up nicely.

 

I was really suprised when I turned my steering wheel lock to lock and it was only 2.5 turns. this was a v-6 ground effects car.

Did the adjustments and the cars steering is mint except the fact that I have only eyed the alignment.

my car did not need the rag joint thank ***

 

Outstanding. Gear boxes don't usually die... unless they've been overadjusted, usually by someone trying to tighten the box when the cause was in the linkage.

 

Forgot to mention: when you get it aligned make sure they check the height of the idler arm, since you've adjusted the box. Some shops may skip it.

 

Have you measured your control arms yet?

Measure from both mountint points to teh grease fitting for teh ball joint.

do this on both arms to see if you ge the same results.

If they are the same...

Then measure from the left rear mounting point to the right front and then the right rear to the left front mounting point.

Make an X both measurements should be the same.

If all this checks out it is doubtful that anything is bent.

 

do I do this with the suspension preloaded of freehanging?

The hillbilly from the alignment shop said that it was the mounting points themselves.

I would like to measure it all just to relive the thought "what if that hillbilly was right."

 

Mounting points are on the k-member. You can check to see if it's square by measuring an X from left side forward mount to right side rear mount then swap. Both measurements should be the same. May want to take some measurements on both sides of the k-member to body points to make sure it's square to the body.

If you want to be absolutely sure you can take it to a frame/body shop that can check everything for you.

If the k-member is bent it's not a difficult replacement. You can pick up a spare at a jy. Would give you the opportunity to clean it up and paint it...or powder coat.

 

it is the nastyest thing about my car right now for sure I could have it sand blasted and painted. thanks for the advise I will measure and get back to you