Rear End Alignment Question?

[89GT331]

Just picked up a 89 GT with a mildly built 331. Car itself only has 58000 miles on it and about 20,000 on the drive train. I just noticed today that the rear end doesnt appear straight. The passenger side seems about 3/4 of a inch too far back when compared to the drivers side. This is my first fox and I am not sure if this is a common problem or what. I thank all of you for a great forum that is full of great info.

 

[dcurtis]

I would measure from the center of the front wheel to the center of the rear on both sides first, but it could be bad bushings in the control arms,torn torque boxes, or your body kit may be slightly off making it appear to be out of line. Good luck with it.

 

[89GT331]

Thanks for the info, I was thinking bushing and hoping not torque box. I will check it out tonight, thanks.

 

[90lxcoupe]

Im gonna guess tq box, take a good look at the uppers.

 

[89GT331]

I was just looking at torque box repair kits. Anyone have any info on the ones from UPR?

 

[90lxcoupe]

if your wheel is that far out, those kits arent going to do squat for you.

what your gonna have to do is bring it somewhere and have them welded up and have the rear axle put as close to square as possible. I had a similar problem with my uppers tearing, and even after it was fixed the rear was still a little bit out of square

 

[89GT331]

I have been talking to a local speed shot here in my home town about installing the Wild Rides upper and lower S-Box. He told me if that is what was wrong we would work out a trade for some lighting for his shop if I helped w/ the install. So I got that squared away as a worse case...well I will find out tonight for sure.

 

[89GT331]

Well more questions than answers..I looked close at the torque boxes. Uppers look perfect no cracks, tear, twist, etc. Lowers look straight and solid still only sign of damage is from the looks of it being lifted on jack stands or on a lift. Passenger side bushings are cracked and showing some signs of fatigue and the drivers side show wear just not as bad. So I am looking for suggestions. I am thinking about going ahead and buying some adjustable control arms and poly bushings and while I got it down invest in the bracing kit. Thoughts suggestions

 

[vtecwho]

my fox showed no sign of damage to any mounting point of the axle either.....

the previous owner probably took a corner too fast, spun out, and it a curb; this force could bend the mounts that hold the axle straight.

that impact could shift the whole axle left or right (depending on what side was hit) and back. causing ONE rear tire to appear more "forward" than the other.

....ask me how i know.....

may not be the case but it is something to think about.

and like you said, bushings can play a significant role.

 

[89GT331]

Okay well I am ordering poly bushings tomorrow and a bracing kit. If that dont do it...well Wild Rides will be getting a order from me.

 

[89GT331]

Okay guys one more question. I measured the wheelbase, the driverside is 100 & 1/2 inches and the passenger side is right at 100 & 3/4 inches. Do you think that the 1/4 out is coming from bushings being worn and 20 yrs old? I plan on getting the bushings or just go ahead and upgrading to the control arms. While doing this go ahead and install the braces. My question is are the braces worth it? Will they provide enough strength for some hard launches mainly street driven but some occasional track use? Or do I need to upgrade to the wild rides s-box setup or something similar?

EDIT: Also I did notice some of the alignment appearance was coming from the body kit. Its not perfect.