DodgeCharger.com Forum

Mopar Garage => Chassis, Suspension, Brakes, Wheels, & Tires => Topic started by: NHCharger on March 18, 2018, 08:13:04 PM

Title: Front end alignment- w/o front clip ok?
Post by: NHCharger on March 18, 2018, 08:13:04 PM
As my question states I need to get my front end aligned since I rebuilt the front end and went with tubular UCA's. I plan on trailering the car to the alignment shop so I was wondering if not having the fenders, hood and nosecone on would make a big difference? I'm guessing around 200 lbs. 
Title: Re: Front end alignment- w/o front clip ok?
Post by: Kern Dog on March 18, 2018, 08:36:47 PM
Some nitpickers would say you need everything on the car. Me? I can only see an issue with the ride height changing with the rest of the car all together. Maybe have them set the height as is, align it then once the car is all assembled, crank up the Torsion bars to the final height.   :2thumbs:
Title: Re: Front end alignment- w/o front clip ok?
Post by: c00nhunterjoe on March 19, 2018, 09:30:19 PM
It will affect it, but probably only 1/4 degree of camber, 1/8 of caster and maybe .1 toe. Set a couple bags of playsand across the core support to even it out if you like.
Title: Re: Front end alignment- w/o front clip ok?
Post by: JR on March 19, 2018, 10:01:23 PM
The difference it will effect it would be enough to bother me, personally.

I'd add some weight bags on the nose like coonhunterjoe suggsted, or wait until the nose was on if it were my car.
Title: Re: Front end alignment- w/o front clip ok?
Post by: bakerhillpins on March 20, 2018, 05:46:42 AM
Quote from: c00nhunterjoe on March 19, 2018, 09:30:19 PM
It will affect it, but probably only 1/4 degree of camber, 1/8 of caster and maybe .1 toe. Set a couple bags of playsand across the core support to even it out if you like.

Man, my mind was racing through all sorts of complicated BS and you just nailed it. That's so simple. Love it!!  :cheers:
Title: Re: Front end alignment- w/o front clip ok?
Post by: Nacho-RT74 on March 20, 2018, 07:17:43 AM
you need all the weight added to the car before the alignment. Yes, will affect. How much? dunno, but will.
Title: Re: Front end alignment- w/o front clip ok?
Post by: NHCharger on March 20, 2018, 08:28:36 PM
Quote from: bakerhillpins on March 20, 2018, 05:46:42 AM

Man, my mind was racing through all sorts of complicated BS and you just nailed it. That's so simple. Love it!!  :cheers:

LOL. The engineer in you never sleeps.
I built a custom bracket to hang the nosecone off of since I didn't like the fiberglass repop Z-brackets. I could install that and hang a couple of sand bags off that.
Thanks for the feedback.
Title: Re: Front end alignment- w/o front clip ok?
Post by: bakerhillpins on March 21, 2018, 06:41:06 AM
Quote from: NHCharger on March 20, 2018, 08:28:36 PM
LOL. The engineer in you never sleeps.

Sad but true.  :'(    :rofl:
Title: Re: Front end alignment- w/o front clip ok?
Post by: TommyGun on March 24, 2018, 12:24:11 AM
It will definitely effect it. If the car is not all together why worry about alignment? Just wait and do it last.
Title: Re: Front end alignment- w/o front clip ok?
Post by: Dino on March 25, 2018, 09:17:26 AM
200 pounds? How big are you? Just sit on the engine while they align it. Bring a pillow.   :lol:
Title: Re: Front end alignment- w/o front clip ok?
Post by: birdsandbees on March 25, 2018, 09:30:14 AM
LOL Dirk. I figured on my Bee, with the ramcharger fresh air hood box, that I should throw about 250 lbs on to simulate hood, fenders, headlight/grill stuff and bumper. 5 bags of plastic pellets from our injection moulding plant will work perfect.

The resto shop that did my body and paint told me they have done alignments with the front clip off and then check again after complete assembly and nothing had changed enough to make it worth attempting to adjust again.
Title: Re: Front end alignment- w/o front clip ok?
Post by: Kern Dog on March 25, 2018, 12:01:08 PM
HA...That was my thought!
Title: Re: Front end alignment- w/o front clip ok?
Post by: NHCharger on March 25, 2018, 09:18:06 PM
Quote from: Dino on March 25, 2018, 09:17:26 AM
200 pounds? How big are you? Just sit on the engine while they align it. Bring a pillow.   :lol:

Haha. Over the winter I have ballooned up to 160. Think I just put on the custom nose bracket I built to protect the radiator when I bring it in.