[DeTomaso] machine ball joint to modify alingment

Thu May 20 23:04:42 EDT 2010

Steve,

I only saw the photo Mike Drew posted of the passenger side with the wheel on, does the driver side look different, further to the rear? You'll have to recheck you toe as well as the a-arms change and movement rearward may have affected that too.

We had a discussion about the a-arm mods recently and Pat was quite vocal, I would suggest forwarding the photo's to him for comment in support of his product and whether it has been fitted correctly.  My modified a-arms are set up with the ball joint all the way back, no shims at the rear. No instructions as I modified them myself...

Goos luck, 
Julian

> From: steveblum2 at msn.com
> To: guson at home.se; detomaso at realbig.com
> Date: Thu, 20 May 2010 20:29:26 -0400
> Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] machine ball joint to modify alingment
> 
> 
> 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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