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MG MGB Technical - Alignment question.

My CB car is slightly lowered and runs bigger tires (195/60/R15). I was going to have it aligned. Do I stay with the stock spec of 1/8" to 3/32" toe-in, or should I go for more or less? Any insights much appreciated.
Ted

Any good shop should be able align the front end. Just remember that the only adjustment is with the tie rod ends. If the springs/shocks/A arms are off the spring height or shims are the only way to adjust the front end.

HTH
Ron
Ron Smith

Ted. You are now experimenting. Thus, what I have to offer is only a suggestion, but you are the one who will have to determine whether it makes sense to you. In my opinion, there should be no changes in the basic toe-in setting. Slightly lower may have a minor effect on camber, none on castor (which is, basically, fixed at the factory), but should not have any great affect on the required toe-in/toe-out balance. Thus, I would set the alignment to the factory spec and run the car to see how the tires wear. I would make sure I knew exactly what the alignment shop had set the toe-in at and at what milage. Then, I would check the tires for other than normal wear every few thousand miles to see what is happening. If, however, the car seemed to handle poorly, I would make adjustments sooner. If the car seems to handle correctly and the tire wear is not excessive, I would consider the factory specifications to be correct, and would post my results to that effect. If I had problems, I would discuss it with my alignment shop, see what changes they recommended and make notes on what had been done. This is not something I have ever seen discussed before. Hence, you have the opportunity to experiment and document what you find for the rest of the community. Les
Les Bengtson

Ted,

With 195x60x15, lower and neg camber, I have used zero toe, and no wear problems. Currently using 1/8 and no wear problems, but on balance prefer zero toe.

Paul
Paul

What you need is a gunsons Trackrite gauge. This simple device consists of a plate that you drive over very slowly. It shows whether there is any sideways scrub on the tyres. You then adjust the track until the scrub is eliminated. It is such a brilliant idea - you don't need to know what the "right" setting is, you simply adjust out the scrub. The instructions provided tell you exactly what to do. The only problem is the gauge is somewhat pricey for what it is - I suppose you are paying for someone's idea.

Mike
Mike Howlett

I have a really cheap method which works but perhaps I should sell it! No? OK, here it is, just find a flat bit of road or car park with a bump in it that you can drive one wheel over.

Drive the car at 30 mph over the bump so that one wheel is thrown into the air, the other wheel will steer the car to one side or the other if there is any scrub!

Adjust the toe in/out of the wheel until the car does not dart one way or the other. Repeat for the other wheel.
Chris Betson

This thread was discussed on 20/02/2003

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