[DeTomaso] machine ball joint to modify alingment

Thu May 20 20:29:26 EDT 2010

The A arm modification was done by Pat Michals and supposedly installed per his instructions. Somehow I think either the shop did not understand his instructions or he gave them the wrong instructions. I think it waqs the shop but cannot be sure as hey never gave me his instructions when I picked up the car. They said they were misplaced. Are you sure that the shims on both sides are wrong? I can uderstand the right side but if I move the drivers side to the front won't the whell be to far back? 

Steven Blum
P.O. Box 81 
Shoreham, N.Y. 11786 
H (631) 744-6118 
C (631) 235-1905

> From: guson at home.se
> To: detomaso at realbig.com
> Date: Thu, 20 May 2010 23:59:55 +0200
> Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] machine ball joint to modify alingment
> 
> A close-up pic of the A-arms in the wheel well would be nice to see. With
> the wheel removed that is.
> 
> Tomas
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: detomaso-bounces at realbig.com
> [mailto:detomaso-bounces at realbig.com]On Behalf Of Julian Kift
> Sent: den 20 maj 2010 22:59
> To: steveblum2 at msn.com; mikeldrew at aol.com; De Tomaso List
> Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] machine ball joint to modify alingment
> 
> 
> I see you have the modified upper a-arms to improve your caster. To take
> advantge of that the ball joint (and wheel) should be moved rearwards by
> ideally locating all the shims in front of the ball joint. Once done, get
> the shop to fine tune using a caster gauge to get the two sides equal by
> varying shims.
> 
> 
> 
> What I don't understand at present is the way you currently have the shims
> would be about right for stock caster, but a stock car would not have the
> wheel that far forward in the fender. Do you know who undertook the
> modification to the a-arms?
> 
> 
> 
> Julian
> 
> 
> From: steveblum2 at msn.com
> To: julian_kift at hotmail.com; mikeldrew at aol.com; detomaso at realbig.com
> Subject: RE: [DeTomaso] machine ball joint to modify alingment
> Date: Thu, 20 May 2010 16:16:30 -0400
> 
> 
> 
> Attached are photos of both sides. The shims on both sides are to the rear
> so that looks good. When I get it on the alignment rack i need to compare
> wheelbase measurements, it looks like I need to move some right side shims.
> 
> Steven Blum
> P.O. Box 81
> Shoreham, N.Y. 11786
> H (631) 744-6118
> C (631) 235-1905
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> From: julian_kift at hotmail.com
> To: mikeldrew at aol.com; steveblum2 at msn.com; detomaso at realbig.com
> Subject: RE: [DeTomaso] machine ball joint to modify alingment
> Date: Thu, 20 May 2010 09:15:55 -0700
> 
> 
> 
> That is a lot of forward shift, more than one would imagine possible through
> the bushing orientation or having the ball joint shims on the wrong side, or
> both. This might be a dumb question, but were both sides apart at the same
> time, is there any chance that they got the a-arm sides or orientation mixed
> up? e.g. an upside down upper a-arm would have significant forward shift of
> the upper ball joint.
> 
> Can you take a photo of the suspension arms with the wheel removed?
> 
> Julian
> 
> > From: MikeLDrew at aol.com
> > Date: Thu, 20 May 2010 11:34:58 -0400
> > To: steveblum2 at msn.com; detomaso at realbig.com
> > Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] machine ball joint to modify alingment
> >
> >
> > In a message dated 5/20/10 8 22 49, steveblum2 at msn.com writes:
> >
> >
> > > I recently found what I suspect is a problem with the front end.
> > > Aparently when I had the suspension bushings changed the new ones were
> installed
> > > wrong causing an alignment problem. My question is, how much of a
> project is
> > > it to disassemble the front end, correct the busing and reassemble the
> > > front end? Is this a job only for an experienced mechanic or someone
> with
> > > mechanical skills but limited experience can handle? What special tools
> are
> > > required?
> > >
> >
> > Another point--when your front end was reassembled, all the shims etc.
> > should have gone towards the front side of the upper ball joint, pushing
> it
> > relatively rearwards. It's possible that they were put towards the back
> side,
> > which would totally jack up your alignment and contribute to the problem
> > you're having.
> >
> > You should post the photo you sent me so people can see what we're talking
> > about. Or better yet, I will:
> >
> > http://tinyurl.com/22olpcz
> >
> > Mike
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