[FC] Rear transaxle alignment

[Ken Hand]

 On an early the only way to check rear toe in is to actually measure the rear wheels and not relative to the front tires with strings. It can be done with strings but you really need to know what you are doing and the front wheels need to be exactly straight forward. If they are turned any at all your measurements are all off and mean nothing. The simple way is to use a tape measure on the tires as high up as you can get on the tire under the body. Just pick a spot to measure from and do the same spot each time, this is very accurate.

Also on an early rear you can only do total toe in, not left and right, because you move the whole drive train fore and aft to get the toe change and both axles are hooked to the drive train so they both move the same amount. 

 

Ken Hand
248-613-8586
www.corvairmechanic.com
 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Andy . <rumbleseat66 at hotmail.com>
To: corvanatics at corvair.org
Sent: Sun, Apr 11, 2010 11:14 am
Subject: Re: [FC] Rear transaxle alignment



Disclaimer: I have never done this before on an early Corvair - luckily my 
projects have always retained proper shimming.  But in theory, in my mind, it 
would seem that I would want to align the rear wheels relative to the body, not 
to the front wheels which may or may not be aligned correctly or dead even side 
to side.
 
As I do this in my mind sitting here, I would pull strings and try to shoot for 
equal spots side to side near the front of the rocker panels.  Or whatever easy 
reference point on the body.  Essentially getting each rear wheel the same angle 
relative to the body - so (theoretically) your strings would eventually cross in 
front of the van somewhere many feet ahead, but on the vans centerline..  
Checking total rear toe as you go (experiment).  Then once the rear is good, the 
front is aligned relative to the rear.
 
At least that seems logical to me... YMMV.  
 
I am sure everyone has seen a car going down the road where all four wheels are 
going straight, but the body is at an angle (after a wreck and bad repair.... 
DIY alignment... LOL)
 
Good luck!
 
 
 



 

> Subject: [FC] Rear transaxle alinement
> 

> Good evening
> 
> I need help on my 62 Greenbrier. I am trying to aline the rear toe in. I have 
used a rope from the rear tire to the front tire. On the r front tire I show 2.0 
in" On the L front I show 1.34. My question is, how may shims do I put in or 
take out to get the proper toe in? Seems to me I need to put in more shims, 
would that be correct? 
> 
> 
> Ron
> Tucson, Az