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Canadian Poncho Homepage -> Canadian Poncho -> General 58-64 Full Size Forum -> Wheel alignment worth doing before big road trip?
Post Info TOPIC: Wheel alignment worth doing before big road trip?
roycross


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Wheel alignment worth doing before big road trip?
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Hi everyone!

I hope your summer is going great!

I am leaving for Saskatchewan next week. Driving from Montreal in my '63 Laurentian.

A few weeks back, I had the complete steering linkage replaced. They did a wheel alignment as well. I haven't driven it much since the repair, but today I noticed it was pulling a bit to the right while out on the highway. I can't recall that before, but there was so much play in the old steering that it is difficult to compare.  Is it worth getting an alignment shop to take a look before I leave? At 60 mph, if I let go of the wheel, it drifts into the other lane within 5-7 seconds. Thoughts on that?

I'm driving through Canada. Ottawa, North Bay, The Soo, Thunder Bay, Winnipeg, Yorkton, Regina, Eastend (final stop). I'll try to document the trip and post up some photos. Not sure if any members are around, but happy to share a coffee or a beverage along the way.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Roy



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4SPEED427


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It shouldn't pull with a proper alignment on a nice flat section of concrete highway. Sometimes the blacktop roads get grooved and create a pull but not a nice flat road. 

Keep us guys in south eastern Manitoba updated (Winnipeg area) for a coffee break.



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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
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MC


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I always found pull to be caused by tires, or one bad tire.  I've had cars pulling to one side, switched the tires around (usually from front to back to take the offending tire from the steering end), and the pull would be gone. 

Can't offer much along the line of a technical explanation (like belt package issues, etc.), but something to consider anyhow.

Best of luck with the trip!



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Canadian Poncho


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I agree with Mark. When I was in auto service the first thing a competent front end tech would do is swap the front tires side to side to see if that made a difference. If not then the alignment was checked.


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pontiax


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If the shop did the alignment with old specs( Bias ply vs Radial tires ) it may wander. I believe radials require a bit more caster.



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pontiax- (canadian pontiac X frame)1964 Parisienne 2dr. Hardtop ,lagoon aqua metallic (Q) ,421 cid Dart Industries block and heads. 550 hp. 575 ft lb  of torque.

 
Taylor55


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Is it still drum brakes on the front wheels? Might just need the brakes adjusted. A

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roycross


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Thanks for the suggestions!

Tires are fairly new with about 6000 kms wear. I'll take it in to a shop and see what they can do.

And yes, still running drums.

The fact that it has just occurred since the linkage was replaced (or so it seems to my memory), I think the alignment shop was out of their element. I'll try to get a better assessment from a tire/alignment place.




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oshawacliff


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Here is a 25 minute video on you tube describing alignment specs 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Tmai5DeWos

 

When you did the parts changeover did the package include strut rod bushings. 

Worn strut rods can cause a pull under braking.



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1965CS


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Interesting video with humorous parts too. This guy knows his stuff and wish I could find one like him to solve the issues I have.



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roycross


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great video!

Thanks for sending.

My shop teacher was just as inspiring, but he was intimidating. Put away tools dirty and find out.



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