Alignment Q?

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EdM

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 5, 2014
Messages
598
Reaction score
42
Location
Between the Texas Hill Country and North Idaho
My Car
1973 Mach 1 Q code, a 427 Dart based Windsor, Pro Flo 4, Len Tech AOD, A/C, 12.7:1 steering conversion, SoT coil over and Dakota Digital dash.
I have read many threads on the topic here and elsewhere. Here is my situation. My car is a 73 Mach 1 with a SorT coil over front suspension, Opentracker roller idler, Moog steering parts and a rebuilt quick ratio steering box by Power Steering Services. All parts have 3800 miles on them. I worked with my local shop to land on the attached final alignment. My issue is about zero return to center which I would like to correct. What would you do?

MtUjKxE.jpg


SoT recommends the following for the street:
Camber: 0 to - 1/2 degree
Caster: 3 - 5 degrees
Toe at 1/16" to 1/8".

Opentracker recommends the following for Sport:
Camber: -.5 to -1.5 degrees
Caster: 2.5 - 4.5 degrees
Toe at 1/8"
 
I have basically the same set up as you have and it turned out to be a bad steering box. After replacing it I have had no issues. Mine would almost feel like the wheels were laying over during a turn. Also make sure your tie rods are adjusted about the same. Sometimes frontend shops will only adjust from one side. This will bring the car into alignment but also could cause other issues. Also was the steering box centered turn to turn when installed?
 
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Your alignment numbers look good. Seems to have plenty of positive caster. What is the history on your steering box? Has the Sector Shaft Preload been adjusted, is it rebuilt, etc ?

I recently rebuilt my front end and wasn't happy with the return to center (RtC) with +3 caster. The RtC improved when I replaced the rubber bushing style Idler with a bearing style. Since then, I've noticed that RtC is good at the beginning of taking the car for a drive....but gets worse the farther I drive....I'm puzzled, but have steering box in the mix of possible root causes.
 
With those alignment specs which shows you have ample positive caster I would suspect the steering box. The preload may be set too tight or the box is tired.

Ron
 
I'm thinking steering box as well. My first Lares box had nearly three times the max preload of factory spec. The second one was spot on and steers nicely.
 
Prior to install, the steering box turned quite readily. I'll drive as it is though I want to lower the front 1/2" or so.
 
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