| 39Fordfan | -- 08-26-2022 @ 6:43 PM |
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Hello there, I've got uneven wear on my right front Diamondback tire and wondered what you do about this issue? I had one shop tell me they could "fool" their computerized alignment system into allowing them to put a '39 Deluxe on their rack and then they would be able to align it. I haven't actually been able to get the appointment with them so far. Is aligning the front end on a '39 Deluxe a DIYer? And if so, are there some instructions you could steer me into or offer me yourself? Thanks!
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| ford38v8 | -- 08-27-2022 @ 12:01 AM |
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I'd trust myself sooner than any computer fool to do that job. Start with checking tire inflation, all the same. Pull your car straight into the garage, stopping short of the back wall to allow gettin' down in front. Your front tires should be setting on several layers of newspaper. Fix a pointer on one end of a stick, and a short section of a steel tape on the other. This tool will be set up on racks about half way up the hight of your tires, and be used both in front and behind the front tires. Jack up the front end by the axle high enough to spin the wheels. With white chalk, mark a line on the tread while spinning, then mark a fine line on the chalk with a pen, again while spinning. Explanation: All tire treads wobble slightly, and you want a true line, not depending on the tread pattern. Now, lower the car down to the ground again, full weight on the tires. Using the tool you made, measure the front, then compare to the back of the tires. The distance between the tires at front and back should be 1/8" narrower in front. Make the needed adjustment, then bounce the car up and down to settle the tires without strain. Measure and repeat as required, usually get it right on second adjustment. There is no other adjustment to make, just the toe in. Alan
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| carcrazy | -- 08-27-2022 @ 9:27 AM |
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If your uneven tire wear is due to incorrect camber, you will have to bend the front axle to correct the camber angle. This can be done by some shops that do wheel alignment on heavy trucks.
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| woodiewagon46 | -- 08-28-2022 @ 8:18 AM |
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I would try another alignment shop. I had my 1946 Station Wagon aligned and because I know the owner of the shop he let me watch every step of the process. The job came out great and my tire wear is even. As Carcrazy points out, if the wear is because of a bent axle that must be done in a specialty shop.
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| 51woodie | -- 08-29-2022 @ 8:04 AM |
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I put a new set of 6:00-16s on my '46 Coupe, tried the toe-in checks at home, and got frustrated with my efforts. All components of my front suspension and steering were in very food condition, but toe-in was an issue for me. I took my Coupe to the local Ford dealer and talked to the shop Foreman about an alignment check. He took one of the devices that attach to the wheels, to make cure it would fit, which it did, and said "Bring it in tomorrow morning with the toe specs and we can do it". He had to do some calculations to convert from inches to degrees for the computer, and set the toe. A thousand or so miles later, the tire wear is even across the face of both front tires. So it can be done.
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| 39Fordfan | -- 09-01-2022 @ 10:58 PM |
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Hello Allen, Thank-you so much for your reply! I really appreciate it. I will give your method a try and hope the problem is just toe-in and not camber too. Thanks again!
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| 39Fordfan | -- 09-01-2022 @ 10:59 PM |
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Carcrazy. Good to know. Thanks so much!
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| 39Fordfan | -- 09-01-2022 @ 11:02 PM |
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woodiewagon46, that's good to know. Thanks for your reply! I will hope for the best that a bent axle isn't involved...
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| 39Fordfan | -- 09-01-2022 @ 11:08 PM |
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51woodie, that's really fascinating and useful information. Where did you get the Toe spec information? I will give it a go too and if it doesn't go too well, your approach sounds like it might be a possibility. Great pictures too. Thanks so much!
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| 51woodie | -- 09-03-2022 @ 7:26 AM |
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I got the specs from the 42-48 Ford Shop Manual (reprint).
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