• Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-

Front end alignment

  • Thread starter Thread starter candphall
  • Start date Start date Mar 22, 2018

candphall

Active Member
Jun 8, 2009
488
32
49
Orlando Florida
Mar 22, 2018
#1
  • Mar 22, 2018
  • #1
I have asked the question before but I am an old man so please humor me. I have a 69 fastback. The front end has been lowered I inch via springs. I aligned the front end myself and the car drove great with one problem. The front tires hit the fenders when the wheels were turned full deflection. I readjusted the caster, no more wheel contact but the car is all over the road. Again what should caster and camber be with the front end lowered as mine is. Thanks in advance
 

WORTH

20+ Year Stangneter
Nov 18, 2002
2,166
44
98
Cape Cod, Ma.
Mar 23, 2018
#2
  • Mar 23, 2018
  • #2
I'm old too, lower the back an inch and set it to factory spec's
 

tos

Founding Member
Apr 27, 2001
896
68
59
Cincinnati Ohio
Mar 23, 2018
#3
  • Mar 23, 2018
  • #3
Where was it rubbing? Front or rear of tire = caster, Top of tire = camber. Did you do any adjustments after the caster adjustment? Caster adjustment will change your toe in and camber settings so you want to do them in a specific order.
You should do fine with factory settings but I agree with Worth that you might want to drop the rear an equal amount as you did in the front.

First check and write down all three settings then start by adjusting your caster.
Next do your camber and last toe in.
After adjusting all three then check the settings again and fine tune if needed.
Here are some general settings from a supposed mustang expert but there are performance settings out there if you Google them.
You will notice that there is a difference between left side and right side and also between manual and power steering.
These are stock settings using radial tires.
I've always tried to keep mine the same from side to side but that's just me.
I put my cars up on the car dollies that you use to roll your car around in the garage under all four tires and I push
down on the front and rear a few times to make sure the suspension is settled down.




Model Year Caster In Degrees Camber in Degrees Toe-In
’69-’70 Power Steering Left: +2 Right: +2½ Left: -¼ to -½ Right: -1⁄4 to -¾ 1⁄8 to 3⁄16-inches

’69-’70 Manual Steering Left: +1⁄2 Right: +1 Left: -¼ to -½ Right: -1⁄4 to -¾ 1⁄8 to 3⁄16-inches
 

Attachments

  • 1521807275809.webp
    564 bytes · Views: 243

candphall

Active Member
Jun 8, 2009
488
32
49
Orlando Florida
Mar 23, 2018
#4
  • Mar 23, 2018
  • #4
Front of tire equally on each side. I will readjust caster. Thanks for the settings.
 

tos

Founding Member
Apr 27, 2001
896
68
59
Cincinnati Ohio
Mar 23, 2018
#5
  • Mar 23, 2018
  • #5
Make sure you do your camber and toe after as well, in that order.
 

candphall

Active Member
Jun 8, 2009
488
32
49
Orlando Florida
Apr 3, 2018
#6
  • Apr 3, 2018
  • #6
I have aligned the front end as you suggested my previous thread. And I must say it is much better. Tends to wander at slower speeds and becomes more stable at higher. The steering wheel returns to center somewhat better than before a result of adding positive caster as you suggested.

The only spec I had difficulty with was toe in. Right now it is set at zero, as you can imagine it is extremely difficult to split 1/16 of an inch between two wheels with a tape measure. I was wondering if setting toe to 1/8 total 1/16 per side would help. And I would also like to increase caster to help steering wheel return.

Your suggestions are valued. Thanks
Chris
 

rbohm

Founding Member
Apr 12, 2002
6,698
550
204
tucson,az
Apr 3, 2018
#7
  • Apr 3, 2018
  • #7
did you use the strut rod or the shims to make the caster adjustment? if the strut rods, then you pulled the wheel forward in the wheel well. use the shims to make large caster adjustments, and the strut rods for small fine tuning adjustments.

as for the toe in, go ahead and use 1/8" for the overall toe setting.
 

candphall

Active Member
Jun 8, 2009
488
32
49
Orlando Florida
Apr 3, 2018
#8
  • Apr 3, 2018
  • #8
rbohm said:
did you use the strut rod or the shims to make the caster adjustment? if the strut rods, then you pulled the wheel forward in the wheel well. use the shims to make large caster adjustments, and the strut rods for small fine tuning adjustments.

as for the toe in, go ahead and use 1/8" for the overall toe setting.
Click to expand...
 

candphall

Active Member
Jun 8, 2009
488
32
49
Orlando Florida
Apr 3, 2018
#9
  • Apr 3, 2018
  • #9
I used the strut rods and have plenty of adjustment left.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

N
1969 15x10 295's for rear. Modifications needed?
  • normg
  • May 1, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
2
Views
111
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- May 2, 2026
GypsyR
G
Fox Alignment Suggestions
  • PonyGTrider
  • Jul 12, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
408
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jul 13, 2025
PonyGTrider
Suspension End link replacement size
  • Teen'93stang5.0
  • May 12, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
6
Views
101
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 20, 2026
Teen'93stang5.0
Still need an Alignment?
  • from6to8
  • Jun 1, 2025
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech
Replies
3
Views
259
1994 - 1995 Specific Tech Jun 2, 2025
AeroCoupe
Suspension Setting Front Alignment - Do I care about the rear's thrust angle?
  • dan50
  • Nov 27, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
5
Views
262
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Nov 28, 2025
Kid wita 5oh
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?