Question from a forum Newbie...

[Joop]

Hey people, I have been viewing this site for a couple months now but never got the time to join. Now this problem I have has almost forced me to join! This is only part of the story, (it's a long one) but for times sake I'll keep it short for now.

First, I have a 67 coupe that I bought in '96... have been working on it for years, and driving it at the same time! More details later...

The question: What would make my front pass. side wheel have the incorrect camber AND tow? When I say incorrect, I mean this is drastic. I hit a pothole and all the sudden I hear the tire squeeling. I look out and I see that I am basically dragging the tire sideways... well not that bad but I had to get it towed. I was thinking it was the upper control arm... but I need to be sure.

Okay here is a hint of the story, I just had a shop put in new front frame rails then this happens... I think they should pay for it but I want to be sure it was something that they tinkered with.

Thanks for any help!

Joop
( I think I attached a pic to this)

 

[JB66]

Take a picture and post it.

 

[Joop]

I did, there are a number of pics of how the wheel sits. I took them right after it happened. Sorry there are no under body shots, it wasn't really possible at the time.
Look under my original post, the jpg is called "picks for community2"

 

[65fastback2+2]

thats really not that bad, my front right one is like that now and I am still driving it. Just go get it realigned for $60 at a GOOD shop, none of these pepboyswhocantalignanoldcarworthaflip places. Check your shock towers and the upper a-arms. This causes em to go outta whack, especially if your shock toweres were cracked or weak and you didnt know it, a nice pot hole could push the upper a-arm and push them in, possible

 

[Joop]

Well it was bad enough to make the tire squeal on the road... and I them put in a brand new shock tower assy. and inner fender aprons on that side. So it would be the Upper control arm then? That is what is connected to the shock tower.

 

[FrdMustangCpe]

i would say you definately bent somethin or somthin gave way. take it to a good shop.

you cant look at it and see if anything is bent/broken?

 

[65fastback2+2]

Well it was bad enough to make the tire squeal on the road... and I them put in a brand new shock tower assy. and inner fender aprons on that side. So it would be the Upper control arm then? That is what is connected to the shock tower.

new shock tower assembly??? what??? the shock tower is apart of the unibody for the mustang. 67's were bad about breaking and bending.

 

[Joop]

I can't look to see if anything is bent or broken right now cause I put it away for the winter in my GF dads garage, so its 2 hours away.

When I said shock tower assy. I ment the inner and outter... I know it is part of the unibody, but the old one was no good.

 

[65fastback2+2]

I can't look to see if anything is bent or broken right now cause I put it away for the winter in my GF dads garage, so its 2 hours away.

When I said shock tower assy. I ment the inner and outter... I know it is part of the unibody, but the old one was no good.

so you cut out and welded in a new shock tower???

 

[Joop]

yeah why. The shock tower is still in one place and actually that means the upper control arm should be too.
I just spoke to the place that did my alignment for me and they said that sometimes on these cars there is a big adjustment washer called a "centric" ? that sometimes comes loose or doesn't bite when tightened. He thinks that is what could be wrong with it. Nobody has had this problem ever?

 

[65fastback2+2]

yeah why. The shock tower is still in one place and actually that means the upper control arm should be too.
I just spoke to the place that did my alignment for me and they said that sometimes on these cars there is a big adjustment washer called a "centric" ? that sometimes comes loose or doesn't bite when tightened. He thinks that is what could be wrong with it. Nobody has had this problem ever?

that could be possible, its apart of the lower control arm adjustment, but I dont see, from doing my suspension and all, that the lower arm could move out to make the tire sit like that, i think it has something to do with the upper a-arm, which is why i suggested the shock tower since on 67's they have problems.

 

[302 coupe]

yep, starting in 67 the alignment is adjusted by an 'eccentric' bolt on the lower control arm. They can loose adjustment if you hit enough potholes, or one thats big enough. There are kits that allow you to do away with the 'eccentric' style lower control arms, you may want to check into that. Otherwise, take it to a good shop and let them re-set your alignment.

 

[reenmachine]

Back in the day on my '65 coupe I knocked the alignment out real bad by hitting a curb while careening out of control in the rain.

It turned out that one of the steering tie rods slipped in the adjustment sleeve. I can see the eccentric bolt throwing your camber out of whack, but not your toe. Could be a combination of things. I would bet that the guys who replaced all of your structure on that side didn't bolt things back together securely.

 

[MustangMatt1966]

yea, my alignment got all out of whack after i was careening out of controll on the highway in the rain after being cut off by a semi and smashing the guard rail at 45 (reenmachine) similar problem-worse result...... oh well its in the shop now being fixed up :-/

 

[Joop]

Okay thanks guys, I will just have to have somebody look at it before I get to hold anyone accountable. Maybe it's nobodys fault, but this place has done some other things wrong so I wouldn't put it past them.