Wheel alignment specifications

[SIMid]

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping to fix the steering boots in the next few weeks and will probably need a wheel alignment afterwards. I thought i'll ask if there are specifications I could give to a wheel aligner to get it perfect?

Thanks! :)

[WelmoedJ]

If you have the manual, look at page H:08:01.

Shouldn't you have this important part for an owner:
Toe-in is 0.5 degree per wheel +0 -10 minutes.

Mind there are some other factors to deal with:
Height set at 5.5 inches (front cross member).
You ca use a wooden block for this.

[David T]

Actually the best source for the alignment specs is Service Bulletin ST-34-1/82. It also gives you the rear specs because to do a proper job you should at least check all 4 wheels. Although the caster, camber, and inclination are NOT adjustable, they should also be checked so you know if you have any worn or bent parts. Many alignment machines will have the specs in them as part of their database. If they don't, you can always give them to the tech and they can be entered manually. Very important you do not try to do an alignment on a car with any worn or bent parts. As part of an alignment the steering wheel is supposed to be centered. Make sure you have the correct tire pressures before going.
David Teitelbaum

[SIMid]

Thanks for the replies. Where will I be able to get an extraction of that Service Bulletin?

Edit: Found them :)

http://www.dmcnews.com/bulletins/index.html

For future referrence for others.

[outatym2001]

Hi everyone,

I thought i'll ask if there are specifications I could give to a wheel aligner to get it perfect?

Thanks! :)


I have been waiting for some one to ask that question. Keep ‘em coming guys cuz it’s always fun to talk about DeLoreans and all the girls/women who have zero interest in them.:hysterical:

I’ve had my four wheel alignment done at Sears Auto Center on their Hunter DSP600 alignment machine and also at a Firestone store on their older version of the same machine. The printouts from the alignment machines are identical from both stores.
Before I went in I had about four extra alignment shims (Washer Shim 106680) for the Rear Toe. I also took a photocopy (or Xerox copy if that’s what you say in Australia) of page 5/2/0 and page 5/3/0 of the Parts Manual. And a copy of page K:08:01, K:08:02, and K:09:01 in the DeLorean Workshop Manual.

Only the Toe is adjustable on all four wheels on a stock DeLorean suspension. According to my printout all four wheels have the same Specified Range of Toe 0.20 degrees to 0.28 degrees.
For the Front Total Toe 0.40 degrees to 0.56 degrees.
The Rear Total Toe is the same.

My actual Front Left is 0.22 and Front Right 0.25.
Rear Left 0.21 and Rear Right 0.20.

[SIMid]

Why the extra alignment shims Mark? We say Photocopy here as well, except the paperwork is upside down on the machines. :p

[jawn101]

Why the extra alignment shims Mark?

There have been reports of generic shims falling out in the rear. It's generally recommended to bring along a few of the 'correct' ones from a vendor with you in case they're needed.

[David T]

Before getting an alignment there are some things you should do:
1/2 tank of gas.
Remove as much "junk" out of the car as you can.
Check tire pressures.
Remove the trailing arm shields.
Lubricate the front end.
Check for looseness in the front end and bent parts.
Note if the car drives straight and if the steering wheel is centered.
Note any vibrations and at what speeds.
If the tires are over 7 years old or worn out replace them.
Check if the trailing arm bolts are bent.
Have a copy of the Service bulletin.
Check all of the shocks for mounting, leaks and action.
Have the Tech write on the frame the # of shims on each side, rear.
Make sure he torques the trailing arm bolts to spec if he touches them.
Although the book says some things are not adjustable, in reality they CAN be adjusted if necessary. It should NOT be necessary unless the suspension has been modified from stock (such as having been lowered).
David Teitelbaum

[outatym2001]

Why the extra alignment shims Mark? We say Photocopy here as well, except the paperwork is upside down on the machines. :p

Shoot! That reminded me I should have included the picture below. Some alignment shops will try to install other shims which are never ever to be used. Where the shims are installed at the Trailing Arm Bolt that joint rotates several degrees one way then the other way as the rear wheel goes up and down. If the wrong shim is installed it will eventually work its way out and the Trailing Arm Bolt will become loose!!!
The correct shim sold by the DeLorean parts vendors hang onto the bolt and will not let go even if the joint is loose.


There have been reports of generic shims falling out in the rear. It's generally recommended to bring along a few of the 'correct' ones from a vendor with you in case they're needed.

What he said.

[Kevin]

Reviving this old thread because I got an alignment today but I think they used the wrong specs. Here's my report:

http://i45.tinypic.com/2ceno7l.png

I'm happy with everything except the rear camber. I originally got an alignment because my rear camber is causing some excessive tire wear, so I installed some adjustable rear lower links to fix it. According to the report, they didn't touch the camber, but understandably so because it's in spec according to their machine.

Do you think since so many folks lower their cars (thus throwing the non-adjustable camber out), that the specs for DeLoreans were adjusted so that they all appear in-the-green to the customer?

I think I'm going to go back tomorrow with the service bulletin and get them to adjust it as close to -.5 degrees as they can.

[outatym2001]

At the top of my wheel alignment printout are the words, DeLorean : DMC 12 (1981-83)
Your printout looks slightly different than mine. Are you sure they entered DeLorean into the wheel alignment machine?

Mine printout says
Front : Left
Specified Range
-0.6 0.0 Camber
3.5 4.0 Caster
0.20 0.28 Toe

Front
Total Toe
0.40 0.56

Your printout says
Front : Left
Specified Range
-1.5 1.0 Camber
2.5 5.0 Caster
-0.40in 0.64in Toe

Front
Total Toe
-0.80in 1.28in


Mine says
Rear : Left
Specified Range
-0.8 -0.3 Camber
0.20 0.28 Toe

Rear
Total Toe
0.40 0.56

Your says
Rear : Left
Specified Range
-2.8 1.8 Camber
-0.40in 0.64in Toe

Rear
Total Toe
-0.80in 1.28in


Perhaps the trouble is their machine does not recognize that your DeLorean has adjustable Camber at the Rear Tire when the stock DeLorean does not.
Yeah, I saw that you posted it is within the specified range.
I'm not an alignment specialist so I can't figure out what might be producing your excessive wear at the Rear Tires.

[Kevin]

Thanks, Mark. Yes your specs do look closer to what DMC specifies. I'm not sure if they brought up the wrong specs or if they vary by alignment machine vendor. Either way, I'm happy with all the other measurements, I just need my rear camber fixed. I did specifically tell them that rear camber IS adjustable no matter what their machine says, and I'm very sure it's my rear camber that's causing my tire wear, they're both just too far inward from when a previous owner put shorter springs on them.

12819 12820

[outatym2001]

Aha. From the pictures you posted I can see what you mean. Maybe I should have mentioned I have the original springs at the rear and front lowering springs from PJ Grady out of New York.
I haven't had those issues like you're having with the rear tires wearing excessively.
I have yellow Spax shocks on all four corners that were installed by DMC Northwest in December 2010. On the rear shocks they have a collar that is adjustable to slightly raise and lower the ride height.
Not sure if that would in any way change your ride height if you went to something like Spax that has the collar.
I guess if the rear springs are too low then there is nothing that can be done about it.

[lkn4ubl]

Does anyone know if there are specs for lowered cars? My car was lowered at DMC-California a few years ago by the PO, and is now pulling to the left.

[WelmoedJ]

Does anyone know if there are specs for lowered cars? My car was lowered at DMC-California a few years ago by the PO, and is now pulling to the left.

You use the word "now" in your information.
From that I presume this pulling started recently.
It therefore supposedly has nothing to do with the PO's lowering the front.

However it's a good idea to have the alignment checked every couple of years.
That's because wear in parts, but also other conditions may result in improper alignment.

To my knowledge there are no specific specifications for lowered suspensions, except that after lowering the alignment ought to be checked.

[lkn4ubl]

You use the word "now" in your information.
From that I presume this pulling started recently.
It therefore supposedly has nothing to do with the PO's lowering the front.

However it's a good idea to have the alignment checked every couple of years.
That's because wear in parts, but also other conditions may result in improper alignment.

To my knowledge there are no specific specifications for lowered suspensions, except that after lowering the alignment ought to be checked.
No, sorry, that wasn't how I intended it to sound. It has pulled to the left since I bought it and it was noted by DMC-CA on an invoice for service a week before I bought the car. I don't think lowering the car has anything to do with the car pulling left. I just wanted to know if the alignment specs are different based on a lowered suspension.

[Bitsyncmaster]

Does it always pull left? How is it when braking?

[DMCMW Dave]

There is no normally adjustable alignment that can cure a pull. If it is a brake pull, fix the brake. If it is truly an alignment pull, there is something bent (i.e. control arm, really bad sway bar bushings, bent frame, etc.).

The only adjustment is front toe, and that cannot cause a pull. Only bad tire wear or really strange steering feel.

[David T]

Lowering won't cause a pull to either side. The alignment specs are always the same but for a lowered car of course the ride height is now different. First things first. Check the tires for wear and pressure. That can tell you a lot. My next step would be to take some quick measurements while doing a good visual inspection. Before ANY alignment any GOOD shop checks for wear and/or bent parts. You CANNOT do a proper alignment if anything is worn or bent. Be sure to check the car on a flat and level road with no crown. If it pulls during braking it is not a steering or alignment problem but it *could* be a stuck caliper.
David Teitelbaum

[DMC5180]

Does anyone know if there are specs for lowered cars? My car was lowered at DMC-California a few years ago by the PO, and is now pulling to the left.

Severe Pull or slight drift if you let go of the wheel on the freeway?

Does your car have adjustable Rear Lower links? DMC-CA sells them, that's why I ask.

[lkn4ubl]

slight drift to the left while driving. Going to put the car up on ramps this morning and look around.

[David T]

slight drift to the left while driving. Going to put the car up on ramps this morning and look around.

Make sure all of the wheels turn freely with the brakes off. Common to see a piston stuck in a caliper especially if the fluid is dark and thick looking.
David Teitelbaum