lbell101

Whew!
Finally finished my front end rebuild.
I haven't attempted to align it as I will leave that to a shop.
I took it for a short test drive and it seems a little harder to steer and the tires squeal even when driving straight.
Am I correct in assuming this is most likely just the alignment?

This was the first time I rebuilt a control valve. I still enjoy learning the new stuff. Compressing springs is getting old now - LOL.
Here it is:

daniel77350

very :cool:

hopefully I'll be doing that one of these days.

Did you get my mail on removing the headlight assemblies?

Daniel

lbell101

Hi Daniel!

I just answered your email after I posted here!

daniel77350

I see now...sorry about that.

As for the squeling...I'd assume it was the alignment also, unless you put the spindle nuts on to tight, but I don't even know if that'd make it squeal.

Daniel

paso

unless you are very lucky or measured for toe in that is why your squealling a alignment should fix the squeal and the hard steering.

WATTAC

Just a caution. If it's squealing due to alignment don't drive too far or too fast. You'll ruin your tires, or worse yet blow out a tire due to heating. You may want to "eye ball" your toe in/out adjustment before going any farther.

Andy

lbell101

Thanks guys for the reassurance. I really hope it's just the alignment.
I did measure the tie rod length and set them at the same length. But that really could be way off with all new parts. I also put the same shims back in the upper a-arms.
Ya - I was just thinking about how to get the car to the shop. It's about 5 miles away. maybe they can sqeeze me in tomorrow so I can be done!

Frank75

You can estimate toe quickly by measuring from the rear of the front tires to the front of the front tires. Pick a tread groove or something that'll be reasonably consistent from the back to the front of each tire. You'll want a little bit of toe-in i.e. distance on the front of the tires a little less (~1/8" or so) than in the back.

Eddie 70

This is my winter time project. I want to get started but I also don`t want to miss out on all the driving opporitunities that just seem to be coming up every weekend.

Ibell101, I really like your sig pic how did you do that.

lbell101

Thanks for the help guys. I've got a 1:00 appt for an alignment :)

Eddie!

Thanks!
I kinda patterned that pic off of some others I've seen here. This is how I did mine:
In Paint Shop Pro (available at http://www.tucows.com for 30 days free) I:
1. Selected the areas all around the car as close as possible.
2. Blurred the selected area (everything bu the car) a couple times.
3. Selected the top half of the picture except the car. Basically from the bumbers up all around the car.
4. Used the 'Wind' tool set to blow left to right.
That's it!

lbell101

YeeHaw!!

Got the car back from the shop and it drives great. I had them check my work and they said it was "perfect". Just the alignment and all is well. Thanks for the help!