QuestionQUESTION: Hi Tom,
1999 Buick Park Ave 3.8L 8th digit vin K
Well after some thought, I had a buddy put the rear frame crossmember in. He did excellent. Now the frame part is in and some odds and ends to tie up with it. Currently there are no rear lateral link toe arms in, as I have one and still need to get another. The camber adjustment is at the top facing rearward and is the eccentric washer on those bolts that bolt up the toe links in middle top back of car frame. I had originally thought it was other bolts, but after seeing it I realize and understand exactly what it is now.
I ran into one minor problem. Those bolts that hold that end of the toe links and have the eccentric washer, are not able to go on because the rear frame I have installed is the camber adj/@36, while it appears now that I had the larger camber adj/@72 unit. So, the frame part is in and I presume I need to get it aligned. However, with it currently having the smaller cam adjust, can they still align it or get it close? Basically it went from a 70 ish adjust to now it is 30 ish adjust. Does it matter that much about the change? Thanks Tom
ANSWER: HI MIKE, I WILL ASSUME THESE #S YOU ARE GIVING ME ARE ON THE ECCENTRIC WASHERS...I DO NOT THINK I WOULD BE TO WORRIED ABOUT THIS AT THIS POINT...GET IT A A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT MACHINE AND HAVE THE TECH DO HIS THING..THERE SHOULD BE MORE THEN ENOUGH ADJUSTMENT TO SET THE CAMBER TO SPECS...THE ONLY WAY YOU WOULD HAVE A PROBLEM WOULD BE IF THIS REAR CRADLE WAS IN A WRECK WITH BENT PARTS.. THERE IS REALLY NO WAY OF FORE SURE UNTIL IT IS ON THE MACHINE.. BUT I DO NOT THINK YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO WORRY ABOUT...IF YOU NEED MORE HELP,PLEASE LET ME KNOW TOM....
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QUESTION: Tom,
Yes you are correct. After rereading my post, I see I didn't say it was the washers that are offset/eccentric. They are large ones, off the original frame, and I currently have no new ones, smaller ones to use. I'm not sure if I need to buy a set or if the alignment place would have these? I have grade 8 bolts, but not the smaller adjustment eccentric washers. I'm glad it's not a big deal though. It's nice to not have big problems for a change. The new rear frame is almost beautiful, it's so new looking. All I have to do, is get another toe link and I guess just throw them in and take it to an alignment shop. Do I need a rear wheel alignment or should it be a 4 wheel alignment? Just want to get my ducks in a row before going. Thanks again, I really value the great advice you've given me. I've been experienced, but this project has been a new one for me, as I haven't dealt much with camber in my years. Have a great night.
AnswerHI MIKE, YOU ARE CORRECT THIS IS NOT A BIG DEAL. YOUR ALIGNMENT SHOP SHOULD HAVE NO PROBLEMS PERFORMING THIS ALIGNMENT...I CAN NOT SAY IF THE ALIGNMENT SHOP THAT YOU TAKE YOUR CAR WILL HAVE NEW ECCENTRICS OR NOT IN STOCK... WE DO HAVE THEM IN STOCK..BUT IF THEY DO NOT THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET THEM AT THERE LOCAL PART STORE..AS FAR AS DO YOU NEED A REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT OR 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT. YOU NEED A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT FOR SURE..REMEMBER YOUR FRONT WHEELS FOLLOW THE REAR WHEELS. DO A TOTAL 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT...LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED MORE HELP AND GOOD LUCK TO YOU..PLEASE RATE MY ANSWER,AS I TRY TO KEEP A HIGH PROFILE WITH ALL EXPERTS..THANK YOU VERY MUCH TOM....
