pasadena_commut
08-07-2006, 12:12 PM
What points on the frame/suspension should one measure to see if the frame is straight?
Shortly after I bought the car I tried to determine if the frame was straight by placing a little measuring jig I made on the center of each wheel over the lug nuts, hanging a plumb bob from that, marking the floor, and then measuring between the marks. The problem with that was that I couldn't be sure the steering was exactly straight and the slight variance from being symmetric could have resulted from the steering being just a degree or two off center. Good enough to show it wasn't bent a lot, not good enough to show it wasn't bent a little. So I want to try this again measuring from points on the body/suspension that do not change position when the steering does.
Reason, the car still pulls slightly to the right. I thought the pull to the right was finally licked following alignment and new tires, but it seems to be pulling harder to the right than it was a few weeks ago. Last weekend I was out on several wide flat highways and on all of them I tried releasing the wheel and it pulled significantly to the right. Maybe 2-4 seconds to drift all the way into the next lane over at 65mph. Tire pressure is 33 psi all around and putting a hand on each wheel right after driving shows none hotter than the other as for a dragging brake.
The car has been hit twice that I know of. Once at parking lot speeds on the left front fender (repaired by the previous owner) and once on the rear bumper (a couple of weeks after I bought it).
Thanks.
Shortly after I bought the car I tried to determine if the frame was straight by placing a little measuring jig I made on the center of each wheel over the lug nuts, hanging a plumb bob from that, marking the floor, and then measuring between the marks. The problem with that was that I couldn't be sure the steering was exactly straight and the slight variance from being symmetric could have resulted from the steering being just a degree or two off center. Good enough to show it wasn't bent a lot, not good enough to show it wasn't bent a little. So I want to try this again measuring from points on the body/suspension that do not change position when the steering does.
Reason, the car still pulls slightly to the right. I thought the pull to the right was finally licked following alignment and new tires, but it seems to be pulling harder to the right than it was a few weeks ago. Last weekend I was out on several wide flat highways and on all of them I tried releasing the wheel and it pulled significantly to the right. Maybe 2-4 seconds to drift all the way into the next lane over at 65mph. Tire pressure is 33 psi all around and putting a hand on each wheel right after driving shows none hotter than the other as for a dragging brake.
The car has been hit twice that I know of. Once at parking lot speeds on the left front fender (repaired by the previous owner) and once on the rear bumper (a couple of weeks after I bought it).
Thanks.