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March 24, 2016 1:28 pm  #21


Re: made a discovery as to why some cars can use LTD II spindles without..

Ok good to know. So, if I cut I little more coil to lower the front end, will I further increase the positive camber? Thanks

 

March 24, 2016 2:05 pm  #22


Re: made a discovery as to why some cars can use LTD II spindles without..

because your configuration is non stock, I would measure it.
1.  Get your self a basic magnetic angle finder
2.  Measure spindle height at ride height and jot it down
3.  remove the spring and shock
4.  Reassemble from suspension without spring and shock
5.  using your measurement from before position the spindle at ride height (I would use a jack) and attach the magnetic angle finder to a flat surface such as the face of the rotor with the wheels pointed forward
6.  note the reading on the angle finder then raise and lower the jack to move the suspension up and down.  you should see changes in the angle which will tell you if lowering it more will increase camber.

keep in mind cutting your coil springs will make them stiffer.

 

     Thread Starter
 

March 24, 2016 5:43 pm  #23


Re: made a discovery as to why some cars can use LTD II spindles without..

I agree with Daze.  It's a little time consuming but well worth the effort. What he describes is exactly what I did. Also, I plotted the angle measurements at each half inch of compression (and extension) to get an idea of the camber curve.  With a Granada spindle, and some serious lowering, my camber started out negative and had to be shimmed out. - Garrett

 

March 25, 2016 8:16 am  #24


Re: made a discovery as to why some cars can use LTD II spindles without..

Why is it necessary to remove shock and spring to measure angle? Just curious!

 

March 25, 2016 8:22 am  #25


Re: made a discovery as to why some cars can use LTD II spindles without..

dan_6776 wrote:

Why is it necessary to remove shock and spring to measure angle? Just curious!

To move the suspension through its range of travel. - Garrett

 

March 25, 2016 12:21 pm  #26


Re: made a discovery as to why some cars can use LTD II spindles without..

Yes makes sense.
Can't do anything till, next week, the car is on a trailer, headed for exhaust work Monday morning. I did however remove all of the shims and still have positive camber. Driver side more than passenger side. Not trying to argue with you guys in any way...but from what I have seen by bouncing the car up and down, positive camber increases in compression. So it would make sense that the more I lower the ride height, the more positive camber I will get? I believe Daze's suggestion regarding measuring would confirm this? In my mind, to get to 0 degrees, I would have to raise the ride height. I only cut half a coil so far(springs still soft). From what I see by bouncing the car, further cutting the spring will only make my situation worse.
You may be able to lower ride height with OEM spindles and achieve 0 degrees camber with proper shimming. The problem here from what I see is that the spindle swap has created the issue? You have to be prepared to live with positive camber with the spindle swap or keep the OEM spindle and buy an aftermarket disc brake kit with an adapter bracket? 
Is there something I am missing here or am I guessing incorrectly. Sorry for continuing to drag this on, I am just trying to wrap my head around this stuff. Thanks for your patience guys.

 

March 25, 2016 1:04 pm  #27


Re: made a discovery as to why some cars can use LTD II spindles without..

The only way to know for sure at what height the camber transitions from positive to negative is to measure it. You will go from plus to minus at some point...it's the nature of the geometry. - Garrett

 

April 1, 2016 2:33 pm  #28


Re: made a discovery as to why some cars can use LTD II spindles without..

Ok, back from the alignment shop. Best camber achieved was 1 degree positive. I am told this is at the top of spec so pretty close. After a bit of discussion with one of the techs, further lowering ride height should start bringing camber closer to 0 degrees. He wants me to drive the car a bit to let things settle then to re-check everything. Once it is back on the alignment computer we will lower ride height and see what actually happens with camber...stay tuned!
Any of you guys ever hear of Moog making offset upper control arm shafts?

 

April 1, 2016 7:07 pm  #29


Re: made a discovery as to why some cars can use LTD II spindles without..

dan_6776 wrote:

Any of you guys ever hear of Moog making offset upper control arm shafts?

Nothing for Ford that I'm aware.

 

May 8, 2016 10:52 am  #30


Re: made a discovery as to why some cars can use LTD II spindles without..

Had an experienced Hot Rod guy over the other day to discuss the camber issue on the car. I was considering dropping the front of the car a little lower, but was concerned about positive camber further increasing. After looking the situation over...he suggested to cut, shorten half inch, reinforce and weld the upper control arms? This would bring the camber closer to 0 degrees and if anything, allow some room for shims as required. If I can get my hands on some cheap upper control arms, I may give this a try. I will keep driving the car to see if the springs settle in a little more first. 
Thoughts on cutting upper control arms?

 

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