front end alignment

[Deleted User]
[Deleted User]
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I am getting ready to put my dual carb set up on my jet,:D so i was moving it around in the garage, and i noticed that the center of my right front tire is almost bald!:eek: It has new shocks and the front end seems fairly tight, i guess the front end is out of align. My question is, can any alignment shop do these old cars?? Most place I am sure are going too tell you need this and that, but some of the parts you can't find for a Jet. So can they just align it and i can go on down the road??



Thanks, Barry Smedley

53' Super Jet

and a bunch of Crosley's

Comments

  • Edwardjohnsr
    Edwardjohnsr Expert Adviser
    I had a slightly differant problem with my Hornet. It seems that every place around here has gone to the 4-wheel alignment machines. They have to attach something to the rear wheels and the wheel well on the Hornet does not have enough clearance. Has anyone figured out how to deal with this?

    Ed
  • hudsonguy
    hudsonguy Senior Contributor
    Ed,

    You'll have to find a shop that still can do 2-wheel alignment. Most of the shops around me are also of the 4-wheel variety, but there are a couple of 'mom and pop' places still out there that can align a Hudson.

    Where are you located?
  • Geoff
    Geoff Senior Contributor
    I agree, that over-inflation is to blame. This will cause wear in the centre of the tread. Under- inflation will cause wear on the outsides. Wear on one side or the other indicates camber is wrong, and feathering of the tread edges means the toe-in is incorrect.
  • Lee ODell
    Lee ODell Senior Contributor
    Hi Barry,



    Is the front suspension fairly tight or tight? If there is one or more worn parts, replace it. FIND A MECHANIC YOU CAN TRUST AND IF HE TELLS YOU A PART IS BAD, BITE THE BULLET, KNOWING YOUR CAR IS IN GOOD HANDS



    An alingment shop can indeed make adjustments to put the suspension within specifications with worn parts, but the worn parts will constantly change the alignment out of specs., as the car rolls down the road. (WASTED MONEY).



    I did alignments of 50 years and the last 28 years with my own shop. I did not have to replace good parts to make a living. There are alot of good mechanics out there.



    I agree with Hudson308 that the wear in the right front is most likely over inflation. However, an oversize tire on a narrow wheel can have the same tire wear.

    _____________________________________________________________



    Ed,



    I suggest looking for an older alignment shop that still uses old style equipment. They can do the front alignment for you. They will know more about older cars than the newer computer shops.



    Most computer alignment shops will not have alignment specs. for any cars older than 5-10 years. Without the proper program for a car they don't seem to know how to proceed.



    Having used both, old style alignment equip. and computer alignment equip., I have found that the computer is easily knocked out of calibration if not handled very carefully. For my shop I never did invest in a computer alignment system. I had to have confidence in my equipment that it would alway be accurate and that the car would go out of my shop with perfect alignment. I gained many new customers because of bad alignments from computer alignment shops. Most came from our local three brothers store. He He.



    No matter which system is used it still takes a good mechanic to do a good job. A good mechanic is worth the price.



    Good luck.



    Here are some questions, alittle off the subject, but food for thought.



    Should a mechanic charge less if you bring your own parts?

    Should a restaurant charge less for a steak dinner if you bring your own steak, potatoes, and salad for them to prepare?

    Should a dentist charge less if you bring your own gold for fillings?

    Should a hospital charge less if you bring your own bandages & medicine?

    Should a theater charge less if you bring your own film?



    Have a good day, Lee
  • Lee ODell
    Lee ODell Senior Contributor
    I forgot to mention this. Avoid any older alignment shop that still uses the type of toe- in checking machine that they drive the front wheels over. They are very inaccurate. You can drive over it a dozen times and probable get 10-12 different reading.



    Lee
  • hudsontech
    hudsontech Senior Contributor
    Lee O'Dell wrote:



    Here are some questions, a little off the subject, but food for thought.



    Should a mechanic charge less if you bring your own parts?

    Should a restaurant charge less for a steak dinner if you bring your own steak, potatoes, and salad for them to prepare?

    Should a dentist charge less if you bring your own gold for fillings?

    Should a hospital charge less if you bring your own bandages & medicine?

    Should a theater charge less if you bring your own film?



    Have a good day, Lee



    Bring your own food to a resturant - wish I'd thought of that 30 years ago. My ex-wife was a lousy cook. LOL ROF



    Hudsonly,

    Alex B

    Memphis, TN
  • Edwardjohnsr
    Edwardjohnsr Expert Adviser
    Hudsonguy:

    Thanks for your reply. I'm located in southeastern New Hampshire. Do you know of any "old" alignment shops here?

    Ed
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Barry, Alignrite at Jeffersonville is a good shop, ph 812-283-7738 --I've used them many times on my trucks and motor homes . I picked up some new portable drive on units at a swap meet cheap last summer if you want to play witth them a bit . I do agree it's more likely over inflation or a tire that did not cure right when they made it BUD
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I checked the tire, it has 20+ pounds in it. The manual says 24 pounds. But it may have had more at one time, I haven't drove it since november, so it may have lost some air. I have found a gentleman that has all of the equipment too realign the front end. he is a retired mechanic for a local chevrolet dealer, but he has been a mechanic for almost 50 years. i am going to let him take a look at it as soon as the weather gets better.



    Thanks, Barry Smedley
  • davegnh
    davegnh Expert Adviser
    Edwardjohn, try McCoys in Exeter, he has been around for years and will be able to help you out. Winter Street in Exeter.
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