stepdown alignment

dougson
dougson Senior Contributor
edited April 2012 in HUDSON
Is there a wheel alignment chart for stepdowns? So far all I have found is the general specs. given in the Mech Proc. manual, which are very general.

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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Here are the specs for stepdown front end alignment. CASTER 1/2 TO 1-1/2 POSITIVE CAMBER 1/2 TO 1-1/2 POSITIVE TOE IN MEASURED AT WHEEL RIMS 0 TO 1/16" MAXIMUM CASTER OR CAMBER BETWEEN LEFT AND RIGHT WHEELS 1/2 DEGREE. KING PIN INCLINATION 3o36". Walt.
  • Lee ODell
    Lee ODell Senior Contributor
    edited April 2012
    By chart are you meaning a specific alignment setting? Not all cars of the same model will adjust to the same specific setting for one reason or another. Therefore the manufactures will print a range for camber, caster and toe-in for the mechanic to make adjustments as needed. His job is to make the car go straight with the best possible tire wear withing the range he has to work with. The stepdown range of adjustment is limited compared to cars of later years. Making as much positive caster adjustment as possible will help straignt line handleing. But for him to do a good job requires all moving suspension parts be in good condition. Worn out parts will allow the alignment settings to change constantly. Wheel alignment will not correct handleing with worn parts.

    Once in awhile someone would come into the shop with specific alignement settings he wants because someone else or he read somewhere to use those settings. Sometimes it was possible for me to make those settings and sometimes it was impossible

    Lee O'Dell




  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Walt here; The settings I wrote about are for all Hudsons 1948 to 1954. Have them set as stated and you will have no tire wear, I get 75,000 miles on a set of tires. Rotate every 10,000 miles.
  • Kdancy
    Kdancy Senior Contributor
    Walt, do you use radial tires? What size?
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I use P215/75Rx15 radials. This is the correct size for long wheelbase cars 48 to 54. Front end setting has to be set by the correct ride height as the first thing to be checked. On 48 to 53 it's 3-15/16. That is the distance from the bottom of the upper rebound rubber bracket to the lower tray where it holds the lower rebound rubber. My springs were soft and set lower so had to install a new set then align the front end to the above specs. Have now 64,000 miles on the second set and still look new. Front pressure 36 cold and rear 32 cold. Walt.
  • dougson
    dougson Senior Contributor
    Back to alignment, apparently most garages are using the new Hunter or Hofmann alignment machines which require mounting an apparatus on the rear wheels, and of course this is impossible on a stepdown. How do folks get their front ends aligned these days?
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Have to find a shop that still has the equipment to align front wheels only. They are now being another shop to disappear. We still have a shop here in San Carlos that kept one bay for front wheel alignments. I guess with all the old cars here it's still a good business. Cost $75.00. Walt.
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