Would You Go Back To That Shop?

[Mooosman]

This is more of a rant than anything, but I just finished converting my 72 F100 to disc brakes using 1979 parts. Also went through the rest of the brakes, replaced everything on the back as well except the backing plates.

Anyway, I took it to an older alignment shop that was supposedly an "Twin I-beam specialist". The truck drives straight and all, but they had to bend the I-beams to get the camber within spec, and now that I look at it closer, I really don't think this guy could see the specs in the book!

When looking at the truck from the front, the driver's side tire is close to being perfectly vertical, btu the passenger side is noticably cambered out at the top (positive camber).

I'm kind of leary to take it back to the same shop and let them try again. I'd almost rather call the first experience a learning experience and move on to another shop.

What do you think? Would you go back to that shop and let them try again, or find another shop? Anybody know a good alignment shop in Vegas?

Nick
Wants it to be right!

[Mooosman]

Also, is it possible to tweak the I-beams at home? Does anybody have a procedure for doing this from Ford? My brother has access to an alignment machine (at a tire shop), but they don't have the equipment to bend the beams.

Ideas?

Nick

[ima71 trucks are older]

I never would have let them bend the beams.

[FORDification]

Well, bending the I-beam is the only way of fixing incorrect camber...and the correct procedure is outlined in the factory shop manual.

Since it doesn't look right to you, I'd definitely take it back and get it redone. It could just be a simple error...give them the chance to get it right, and at their expense, of course.

[kaptnkaos]

I second Keith's recommendation...

I'd take it back to them and give them the chance to make it right...
If they refuse, I would consider turning them in to the better business bureau.

KaptnKA S

[fordman]

yea if they dont do it right the second time and you have to take it elsewhere to get fixed then its still on them. but you have to take them to court to get them to pay for it. ask them to rexamine it first before you say to much. show them what you are seeing and see if they say well fix that right up for you sorry for the trouble. if they say it looks worng but its right have it checked by someone else and then go from there.

[Mooosman]

As I said my brother has access to an alignment rack at work. I'm going over to his place to get a printout on just what the specs are at this point, then I guess I'll go back over to the shop that did it and show them what I've found.

I hope they make right on this. The disc conversion went super-smoothly up to this point!

Nick

So, if all else fails, does anyone have the factory procedure for bending the I-beams that they can scan into the computer for me? Even if you can't post them to the forums, an e-mail attachment would help out a ton!

[67heavystepside]

i would have replace the springs first, being they have the tendesy to sag over the years.
have your brother check the alignment to see if it is out of spec. it may be decieving, you did say it drove straight.
if you have that much positive camber on on the one side it would pull to that direction.

[FORDification]

...So, if all else fails, does anyone have the factory procedure for bending the I-beams that they can scan into the computer for me? Even if you can't post them to the forums, an e-mail attachment would help out a ton!

Those pages from the factory shop manual have been scanned and posted to the 1968 Front Wheel Alignment Specifications page, down at the bottom.

[Mooosman]

Thanks Keith. I'll check it out.

Nick

[Mooosman]

Well, I have some numbers from the alignment. We used the computerized alignment rack at the tire shop my brother works at. I guess I'll just copy the numbers down that are on the sheet:

-FRONT-

Camber L/R---> +0.4º / +0.7º

Caster L/R---> 3.2º / 3.8º

Toe In---> 0.03º / 0.15º

Thrust Angle---> 0.19º

I'm a little confused about the toe on the front. I've never seen it listed in degree increments, only in inches.

Also, can someone give me an explanation of "thrust angle"???

Thoughts? I guess looks can be deceiving, because I was positive that the camber would be a lot farther off than that! It sure looked more like a couple degrees!

Nick