68 Mustang Strut Rod... Adjustable?

[keiken01]

My 68 Mustang front end is out of alignment on the drivers side and the stock strut rod doesn't provide enough thread to correctly align it (I believe this is the caster). I've adjusted it to the end of the rod threads nearest the wheel, but it actually feels like it left the threads altogether as the rod seems a little smaller immediately after the thread and then larger from there on back to the wheel. Does this make sense?

I've seen adjustable strut rods, that look like they might offer a solution as well as improved handling, but they run $245+ when a new repro stock rod is less than $50.

The mechanic I took it to said I should have the brace that runs from the radiator to the frame rail removed and welded back on 1" further towards the rear allowing ample threads for adjustment, but this seems a crazy solution.

Anyone ever addressed this with a classic Mustang before?

[keiken01]

Well I still have this problem and never got any replies. I have also noticed that the car feels like a boat hitting waves of water when driving at speed on the highway, creating a very scary feeling and definitely not safe.

Is this something I should take to a pro (if so, what type of pro) to make sure the frame and all is properly aligned as it has a strong pull to the left when I run over the bumps like at bridge expansion joints on the highway.

[dougbfresh]

How about an ALIGNMENT shop?

[keiken01]

You mean different from a multi-purpose auto repair shop.. like one that just does wheel alignment or one that does frame/body alignment?

[Daniel Wood]

If you take it to a good place that does wheel alignment, they should be able to fix your problem (providing that these people are well experienced). If it's so far out of spec, they'll also tell you whether it's the body (unitized body) or not and then take it to a body shop that does framework or a framework shop itself.

[olddog]

I agree with getting to a good shop that knows how to straighten frames. Likely a body shop.

From what you described, I would say there is something very wrong with the car. There has to be damage to something.

[KA9MOT]

The shock towers on these early Mustangs tear loose from their mounting points on the inner fender wall and frame. It is fairly easy to repair if you can weld....

Here is some more info: http://www.mustangbarn.com/shocktower.html

[thcardoc]

If you go to a shop and have this aligned, or at least measured post the settings and the preferred specs.

I need to see Caster, Camber, Toe, and especially SAI, Included angle, and setback.

The SAI measurement needs to be deliberately taken which means it is done with the heads and brakes locked, and "its a caster swing" with the wheels in the air. Modern machines will "guess" the SAI off of the normal caster swing but that isn't accurate enough. Taking the time to actually measure it gives more detail. The description of "feeling like a boat" over bumps suggests a bump steer condition which can be caused by uneven tie rod to center link angles and that could be related to excessive caster or SAI variation side to side. This also will impact the ackerman (toe out on turns) and could explain some of the "boaty" feel.

One thing you cannot do is simply look at the front wheels and try and see if they are centered in the wheel wells when it comes to trying to guess caster. You can be close when it comes to camber with a trained eye but I don't advise trying.

[thcardoc]

If you can take the time and post it like this it would help.. (In degrees)
________LF____________________RF______________ Spec
Caster___0.70__________________0.70____________0.5 +- .5
Camber__0.40__________________0.10____________ 0.2 +- .4
Toe_____0.12__________________0.12____________ 0.25 +- .12
SAI______ etc.
IA_______ etc
Setback_______ etc.

Dashes required to space