Triumph Repair: back tires tucking in, plastic trash bags, negative camber

Question
I have a 1969 Spitfire that I'm restoring. I've got it back together but the rear tires really tuck in when going forward but straighten out when in reverse.  Is it an alignment issue because not only do they tuck in they also seem to point inwards.

Answer
Hi Ron,

You for sure have something wrong, as the rear wheels should only toe in from 0 to 1/16 inch total. No more then that. The toe in is set by shims between the body and the mount for the trailing link on each side that runs back to each hub. This should be set with the car loaded as driven and on turn tables.

If you don't have turn tables available you can take two plastic trash bags and spray silicone spray inside and place each wheel on one on a smooth floor. This way the car will settle to how it is on the highway. Then set the toe in by adding shims at the body.

The camber is not adjustable. If it too is wrong (they usually start to lean in at the top)
(negative camber) due to weak springs. Rather then replace the spring or have it re-arched, most owners just add "Gas over oil" shocks or put adjustable coil over shocks on the lift the rear end up to correct the camber.

Howard