<VV> Chevy related, but not Corvair

[Frank DuVal]

While there is no adjusting of each wheel independently on a solid axle, 
the thrust angle needs to be known. Typically if the car is going down 
the road straight, the thrust angle is 0 degrees and everything is fine.

The thrust angle is a line perpendicular to the line of the rear axle 
shafts, centered at the center of the rear axle assembly. The thrust 
angle can be off due to incorrect construction, accidents, worn or rusty 
parts. My '77 Nova rusted/sheared the pin that locates the axle to the 
rear leaf spring and made the thrust angle large enough that the car 
took up most of the lane dog tracking. A Chevy pick up was brought to my 
shop after a "good" shop repaired it in a side hit. Dog tracked maybe 4 
degrees. The mount for one leaf spring had been hit and not replaced! I 
straightend the frame and replaced the mount. All was well.

Remember, the rear axle steers the car down the road, the front wheels 
just correct!

The correct term for the alignment you need is a "thrust angle" 
alignment. They hang the gizmos on the rear wheels just like a four 
wheel alignment, but they only adjust the front and make note of the 
rear. But they don't have thrust angle on the menu board, so they write 
up 4 wheel....

Frank DuVal



Russ Moorhouse wrote:

> I was told I needed a 4 wheel alignment on my 2005 Silverado.  I was 
> very skeptical about this, since I can't figure out what there is to 
> align on a solid axle.  Especially when it's a front tire that's 
> wearing and that's what I inquired about.  I can see needing that down 
> on an independent rear suspension.
>
> Russ Moorhouse
> '65 Corsa coupe 140 HP
> Group Corvair Member
> Corsa Member
> Kent Island, MD
>
>
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