I had my car aligned yesterday. They said all looked good, but the "Camber adjustment" bolts appear to be getting weak, as rubber is beginning to bulge out.

Is this part of the LCA or the guide rods? I'm thinking it has to do with the LCA and the related bushings.

Can some one enlighten me?

Also, what adjusts the caster?

Thanks!

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

That doesn't make much sense. The bolts don't have a rubber component. They do go through the LCA bushings, but any deformation there would indicate a bushing problem, not a bolt problem.

Agreed.......another shop that doesn't have a clue..........

Ok, cool! Well, then that means next up for me is LCA bushings. Well thht means time for a Klann spring compressor...

The shop did say they saw rubber starting to bulge out, and that this may be the last time they can get a good alignment. The alignment cost me $48. It was a younger guy that did the work. The rubber bulging was his words. The shop owner did say it would be LCA bushing related, and they do out out over time. He said he prefers the eccentric bolt adjutment over shims, as the eccentric gives a more precise adjustment.

So, what adjusts the caster? Is it the guide rods?

Thanks!

__________________
RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

The method of adjustment is a function of vehicle design. It's not generally something that you have a choice in as it applies to a particular vehicle. Shims can be plenty precise, just more time consuming to deal with.

Yes.

Thanks for the quick info Tango and Brian!

I love learning about our older cars!

__________________
RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

When you do your LCA Bushing, you will be setting yourself up for another alignment ..... But.....if you clean and spray some paint on the eccentrics, and allow the paint to dry, then use a scribe to precisely mark the exact position of the eccentrics as they are at present.....you can return the alignment adjustment pretty close to what it was.....watch your tire wear, but this may allow you to "put off" spending the $$$$ on another alignment for a while...especially if you will be doing more front end work in the near future.....

You may want to investigate your Guide Rod mounts and bushings while you have the spring removed.....you will need the bushings anyway, to complete the LCA reassembly.....

SB

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Diesels:
'85 300D, "Max, Blue Benz", 155K, 27.0 MPG
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'85 190E 2.3, 148K....Parts Car
'58 Dodge W300M Powerwagon (Flat Fenders) Less than 10 MPG

I didn't get an alignment after the shop did my LCA bushings/LBJ's, so now I have new tires that are very worn due to positive camber. I just did guide rod mounts, so it's going in very soon for the required alignment. I'm not ruining another set of tires.

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