Front End Pull- Solution Others May Need-

[dsnyder]

Finally I feel like I might be able to give a little back. I've gotten tons of help already from this forum.

Below is my original post and below that is the solution I came up with after much reading.

My 78 Fiat that I bought about 2 months ago has a significant pull to the right. I replaced all the front end items... ball joints, tie rods, shocks, etc... $300 worth of parts and $250 to my buddy who is a mechanic to install all the items.

Right Wheel (direction it pulls)

Caster: Desired Range= 3.00 to 4.00 Before= -.084 After= -.011 Note they are negatives!!!
Camber: Desired Range= 0.00 to 1.00 Before= .43 After=.43
Toe: Desired Range= .08 to .18 Before= 0.00 After= .13=

The tech said he removed all the shims but could not get the wheel to go any further toward correct Caster. There are no visible signs that the front of the car was in an accident. Any thoughts/suggestions are appreciated. The tech also said it will not cause tire wear, just the pull. -So basically, live with it. I hope I don't have to!

SOLUTION: Since the caster was negative, the bottom pivot point needed to move forward which means removing the shim on the front. To do this, you must disassemble a bunch of the front end or as I did, loosen it up and split the un-needed shim with a cold chisel to remove it. Then you can tighten it up and the bottom will move forward toward positive caster. But this will then change the camber so since camber was correct, on paper this means whatever distance was removed from the front bolt should be added from the back. So, I found washer of the same thickness as the shim I split and removed. I cut a section out of it just big enough to slide it in over the stud and then tightened the two nuts back up.

RESULT: No pull to the right, car tracks well and my level (I don't have a caster/camber gauge) indicates very close to 0 degrees camber (just slightly positive). I will go in and have them check it on the machine but I'm fairly sure the driveablity is an indicator of success.

[narfire]

Well done!! good to know.
You don't live anywhere near here (BC) do you? I might have problems with my franken-fiat(replaced front from firewall forward) and the alignment.

[So Cal Mark]

in case you decide not to take it in to an alignment shop, toe-in is critical for tire wear. I usually set them up with 1/4 degree negative camber for a bit better handling. Depends on how you drive though. If you like to fling it through corners, the negative camber will help

[dsnyder]

Well done!! good to know.
You don't live anywhere near here (BC) do you? I might have problems with my franken-fiat(replaced front from firewall forward) and the alignment.

Sorry... in Arizona. I have friends in Abbotsford.