Front suspension out of wack

[hpgraham]

I have a problem that I need help answering. I bought my 72 last Oct. without and engine and needing restoration. I am getting close to reinstalling the engine and just refurbished the rims and put new tires on it. I noticed that if I turn the steering wheel all the way to the left the right front tire is contacting the front of the fender. At full right lock there is no problem with either tire. I measured from the tire to the edge of the fender on the back of the wheel opening and discovered that the right tire seems to be about 3/4 of an inch farther forward than the left tire. I have replaced the bushings in the front suspension and I am wondering if one of the A-Arm's could have been bent pressing in the new bushings. I am not sure if there was contact before the rebuild because the tire was flat. There doesn't appear to be any frame damage from a previous wreck or anything like that. Has anyone ever experienced anything like this? I belive the front cap is straight and the gaps between the fenders and the doors look good. Are there any measurements that can be taken to determine if the A-Arm is bent? Any suggestions would be appreciated very much.

Thanks, Hardy

 

[Robin7TFour]

HARDY, you may just need to have the front end aligned. or the shims in the upper contol arm are backwards..just a guess


robin

p.s,what part of mississippi? GO BULLDOGS!

 

[wishuwerehere82]

Hpgraham.

There could be a variety of reasons that could happen.
1)Spring sag.Check your tire to wheelwell clearance. You should have 2-3 fingers width.
2)Bent A-arm pivot. You would have seen it pressing in the new bushings.
3)Toe in too far out on on side. Check to see if your tie rod end is way out on one side.
4)Tires too big, 255's are about as big as you can fit in the front.
5)Too much camber on the upper A-arm. Compare the shims from side to side.

 

[joe1975]

seen one just like it

While I was shopping around for my vette I ran across one just like your talking about. I wrote it off as having a bent frame as there was an alignment problem on the pas. door I measured from rim to rim and there was a 1 1/2" differnce between each side. good luck! I'd like to know how you correct it.

 

[VRGSVET]

Is your engine still out? You might want to put the engine back in before you make any major suspension adjustments.

 

[hpgraham]

Yes the engine is still out of it right now. I was examining the bushings on the lower controll arm and they don't seem to be seated correctly. I have a spare lower a-arm that I am going to compare and see if the one on the car may be bent. I hope that is the problem.

Hardy