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The Importance Of Front-End Alignments - Front-End Alignment Basics
Understanding Alignment For A Better Driving Mustang
By Jim Smart
Photography by Jim Smart
Marlon Mitchell of Marlo's... Marlon Mitchell of Marlo's Frame & Alignment in Los Angeles begins his alignment regiment with ride height measurement in all four corners. Ride height, especially in front, has a certain effect on alignment. Marlon is one of the rare technicians who performs alignments the old-fashioned way-without computers and lasers. Marlon Mitchell of Marlo's... Marlon Mitchell of Marlo's Frame & Alignment in Los Angeles begins his alignment regiment with ride height measurement in all four corners. Ride height, especially in front, has a certain effect on alignment. Marlon is one of the rare technicians who performs alignments the old-fashioned way-without computers and lasers. Marlon Mitchell of Marlo's Frame & Alignment in Chatsworth, California, has been in the alignment business most of his life. When a customer delivers a car, Marlon test-drives it first to get a feel for how the car is tracking before making adjustments. What may surprise you is his technique. Marlon does not have modern computer-aided alignment equipment. He does it the old-fashioned way with bubble alignment fixtures and a preset rod for checking toe. This approach, coupled with experience, enables Marlon to achieve exceptional alignment results. He is also able to check rear end alignment with his equipment. Positive caster is when upper... Positive caster is when upper ball joints trail the lowers. This is what you want, although not as extreme as this illustration.
There are three basic alignment elements-caster, camber, and toe-that affect a Mustang's relationship with the pavement. Camber is the tire angle as it relates to the pavement from a 12/6 o'clock perspective. In other words, is your Mustang bow-legged or knock-kneed? When alignment is correct, a Mustang will have just a pinch of negative camber (knock-kneed), usually around 1/2 degree, because the tread should remain in full contact with the pavement in turns. Racers and canyon cutters want even more negative camber to keep the tread solidly in contact with the pavement during hard turns. If there is positive camber, or bow-leggedness, you're going to get into the tire sidewalls in turns. As a rule, automakers design a certain amount of positive camber into the cornering process to induce understeer to help keep motorists out of trouble.Caster is an element of steering... Caster is an element of steering spindle angle between upper and lower ball joints. Negative caster is when the upper ball joint leads the lower. This is what you don't want. You want just a little bit of positive caster per factory specifications. Caster/Camber Adjustment
Through the years, Ford has improved how front-end alignment is performed. First generation '65-'66 Mustangs are antiquated, using shims of various thicknesses between the upper control arms and shock towers to achieve caster and camber. Today's front-end alignment technicians dread to see these dinosaurs arrive because they know they will have to earn their bacon. Classic Mustangs are more time consuming for alignment shops because shims have to be added or taken away to adjust upper control arm angle, thereby changing camber and/or caster.  This is an extreme example...  This is an extreme example of negative camber. You want just a pinch of negative camber (see specifications for your particular Mustang) for good cornering, which keeps the tire tread in full contact with the pavement. |  Your Mustang's two front axle...  Your Mustang's two front axle spindles operate on two basic dimensions-camber and caster. Camber is the spindle's 12/6 o'clock angle between the fender and pavement. Caster is the relationship between upper and lower ball joints. |  With '65-'66 Mustangs, shims...  With '65-'66 Mustangs, shims are added to push the upper control arm outward to move toward positive camber. Although most alignment specialists use pry bars to adjust the upper control arms, there are Ford-recommended specialized tools designed to screw the arm in or out, taking the violence out of a front-end alignment. That's what is shown in this and following illustrations. This jackscrew adjustment tool enables a technician to get Mustang alignment spot-on without abusing the shock towers. |  |  The upper control arm is moved...  The upper control arm is moved inboard by removing shims to get negative camber. Strut rods on '65-'66 Mustangs are fixed and not adjustable. |  Caster is adjusted by added...  Caster is adjusted by added or subtracting shims to move the upper ball joint fore or aft to place it either ahead or behind the lower ball joint. When adding shims to the front or rear control arm bolt, the arm angle is modified, which moves the upper ball joint forward or backward. |  For '67-'73, Ford came up...  For '67-'73, Ford came up with a better idea-lower control arms that adjust via an eccentric to move the lower arm in or out. Move the arm out to achieve negative camber. Move it in to get positive camber. The downside to this eccentric is movement when you hit a pothole. It could move, causing an unwanted change in camber. |  Ball joints should be checked...  Ball joints should be checked for wear by supporting the Mustang at the framerail and applying pressure by moving the tire upward. If you feel clunking (play), the upper ball joint is most likely the culprit. Upper ball joints wear out much faster than lowers. Lower ball joints are always replaced with the lower control arm, which must be serviced as a unit. |  Caster is adjusted on '67-'73...  Caster is adjusted on '67-'73 Mustangs by moving the strut rods fore or aft, which moves the lower control arm fore or aft to position the lower ball joint ahead or behind the upper ball joint. Instead of moving the upper control arm like '65-'66, the lower is moved for '67-'73. The use of urethane bushings may stiffen up front-end alignment, however, you risk breaking the strut rod. This is why polyurethane or rubber bushings are suggested. |
Ford Mustang Research
Get information on specs, safety features, pricing, and equipment options for the new Ford Mustang. The 2010 Mustang goes for a suggested retail price of $32,995.00, and it has a comparable warranty. Also check out the Mercury Sable and the Lincoln Mkz.
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