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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / alingment in San Diego

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Discussion Topic: alingment in San Diego

Dustbowl

08-05-2019 @ 4:45 PM

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Posts: 74
Joined: Feb 2011

Does anyone know a good shop in San Diego county where I can have my 1936 Ford front end aligned? Most places I have tried won't do this on old cars so it has to be a shop that has experience and/or tools for old cars like mine thanks

trjford8

08-05-2019 @ 4:59 PM

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Check with Jerry Windle or some of the San Diego Regional Group guys. I'll bet they know somebody. You club roster is your friend.

This message was edited by trjford8 on 8-6-19 @ 7:19 AM

37RAGTOPMAN

08-16-2019 @ 7:36 AM

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hi Alignment in San Diego
most alignment shops have new equipment that is ONLY made for NEW autos, and have specific software for new car applications

BUT this may help you
SPEEDWAY sells a TOE IN GAUGE part number Part # 3008000 $69.95
looks good,
toe is what you can do by yourself if you can hold a wrench, find a flat surface,
this is a real easy adjustment, have a buddy help you
I doubt your front axle need bending for camber adjustment, some truck shops may offer this and have these tools,
SPEEDWAY also sells a camber gauge so you can at least check your camber, you might not be able to adjust it,
BUT you can CHECK IF IT IS BENT,
Bending a FORD front axle is pretty HARD TO DO, like a ACCIDENT
hope this helps 37Ragtopman

51woodie

08-17-2019 @ 4:21 AM

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I took my '46 to the local Ford dealer to have the toe in checked. As 37ragtop said, that is about the only adjustment that can reasonably be made. Assuming all the other steering parts are I good shape, toe in is all you need to adjust. I took the specs with me, but the Tech had to convert inches to degrees, as the new laser units work in degrees. The job cost me $90.00. Check out your local Ford dealer, as they may be able to do the job.

This message was edited by 51woodie on 8-17-19 @ 4:23 AM

therunwaybehind

08-17-2019 @ 9:22 AM

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There once was a shop in San Diego that could not just align your beam axle it could drop it 6 inches in what was called a "Dagoed" axle. I think this was associated with the "Bean Bandits" car club. I had my 1948 Ford front end aligned by OK tires in 1960 after I replaced the king pins and bushings and the tie rod ends. Or you could get a tubular axle with the equivalent drop from Bell Auto Parts in Bell California. I am really posting this to bring myself up to date on the factory correct way in 2019. I went looking online and found Walmart would sell me a whole kit made by Speedway Motors for my deuce but I really wanted to go to Juan Manual Fangio's 1940 Ford with canvas trunklid that he originated a twin I-beam axle from two front axles to race in the Andes Mountains of Argentina. Ford then created the pickup Twin-I-Beam so I cannot simply advise you that light pickups have a I-beam just like your 1936. Guess I met my master this time. Like moving from a static wheel off bubble balance to an on car spinup motor driven vibration eliminator and then a tire truing lathe between 1956 and 1976 to balance your tires.

This message was edited by therunwaybehind on 8-17-19 @ 9:43 AM

supereal

08-27-2019 @ 10:03 AM

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In Henry Ford's quest to make vehicles for "everyman", the front suspension was designed so the only adjustment was toe-in. The caster was set by the "wishbone", and the camber that the forging of the front axle. If you are having steering problems, check the king bolts (king pins) for any sign of wear. Same goes for the tie rod and drag link ends, and any looseness in the pitman arm on the steering gear, as well as play in the steering sector. Carefully examine the front spring. It may not be seated in the recess for the tie bolt in the cross member, or you may have one or more broken spring leaves. The only practical way to look for broken leaves is to disassemble the spring. Most cracks are not otherwise readily visible. Check the ball on the wishbone to see of the rubber cover is OK. Finally, check the spring shackles to be sure the bushings are not worn. The Ford front axle is one of the most durable parts of the car or truck. Some shop seek to bend them to"align" them, but unless the car has been wrecked at some time, that is unnecessary.

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