My car can't be aligned

[ecalmus]

I rebuilt the front end on my '81 Fiat Spider. I replaced the upper and lower control arm bushings and the ball joints. The alignment shop says that it has negative caster that cannot be corrected, because there are no more shims that can be removed. The alignment shop thinks that perhaps the bushings are too soft, allowing the control arms to push inward. IAP stands by their bushings, saying they are not the problem. Any ideas? Do you think that the frame needs to be adjusted?

Thanks,
Ed

[dmwhiteoak]

I was told that I was out of adjustment on my right side chamber. I know nothing about alignment but was told a frame shop could bend the frame and give me room for more. It looks like some time in the past a po hit something on the right front.
My car pulls to the right. The faster you go, the harder it pulls. I have got to get it fixed.

[124JOE]

i ended up buying a new crossmember
mine broke it was $119
but a bit more to have it installed

[baltobernie]

Any chance you put it back together incorrectly? Some of these front end parts can be swapped L/R and up/down.

[majicwrench]

Negative caster?? Did the shop offer a solution?? Are you sure they didn't say negative camber??
Keith

[So Cal Mark]

if it has negative caster you probably swapped the upper arms from side to side

[manoa matt]

Show us a picture with the wheel removed.

[81SPIDERMATT]

same problem.... FIXED.... local frame shop about 400 bucks..... found a small crack that was repaired..but that was not why.. it is the unibody frame... kinda folds in on itself..... i was burning up tires .... i asked how long it will be good for .. he said probably about 15 to 20 years.... i had him bend mine a little past what was needed for settling and adjustment.... took it to an alignment shop and got the specs as is.... the frame shop went off of those specs to get it right.... they actually (the first time) did not move it far enough and had to put it on the machine again to get it right... after the frame shop it goes back to the alignment guys and man what a difference..... and just so you know i did everything before finally going to the frame guys... springs shocks a arm bushings tie rode wheel bearings the works.... nice to have all new stuff but the frame was the problem all along..... it helps to if you can get the alignment shop and the frame shop talking to each other about a common goal

[dmwhiteoak]

I'm taking mine to the frame shop monday morning. My right wheel is an inch and a half farther back than the drivers side . pulls hard to the right. I don't like the idea of spending 400 bucks tho. They can align it there.

[81SPIDERMATT]

depends on the shop... good hour to set up on the machine maybe more .. then tweaking and checking and tweaking... think i paid for 4 hours at 75 and hour.. the other hundred was the alignment and i bought pizza for the guys at both shops... it helps... and i know 400 stings a bit but when the tires last 40,000 miles or more you will be happy

[thewizard]

As a machinist and fabricator I can very well appreciate your pizza tip.
Most of us strive to do best we can when working on customer stuff.

[dmwhiteoak]

I picked mine up from the frame shop yesterday. It appears the first place I carried it did not know what they were doing. When his computer told him he had no more adjustment the game was over. Did not have a clue on what to do. 130 bucks down the drain. The other shop has no computer, they do it the old way. Added a few washers and he said he went aheD and pulled it a little so next time that kind of shop can align it. It drives like a dream. I never thought it could drive this good being old school everything. Lesson learned on front end shop.

[Exit98]

Dennis,

I know just how you feel. I had my front end woes too and I thought I'd never get it right. The (so called) pros botched the job and cost me $, but the NJ Fiat guys pitched in and made sure the second time was the charm.

What a difference when you can drive the car with confidence. Finally it drives the way I remember from the old days. I was out tearing up entrance ramps last night.

[81SPIDERMATT]

yeah.... good news... happy ending

[dmwhiteoak]

Everything worked out fine for me. Very good news on my part but I wonder how Ed has faired. I kinda highjacked his post but maybe he will keep us informed of his progress.