Front end alignment Specifications??

[studehunter]

I am just about finished with the restoration of my 1954 commander coupe. I need all of the technical specifications to give the guy who is going to allign the front end of my car. Any help would be apreciated.

Thanks



Domenic Manera
1954 Regal Starlight Coupe

[Alan]

Caster Degrees -1 to -2 1/2 desired -1 3/4 with not more than 3/4 degree variation between wheels.
Camber Degrees 0 to +1 desired + 1/2 degree, + 1/2 degree more favored on the drivers side.
Toe in, inches 1/16" to 1/8"
Toe out on turns Outer wheel 20 degrees, inner wheel 22 1/2 to 23 1/2 degrees.
King pin angle, degrees 5 1/4.

[r1lark]

Domenic,

Make sure the guy you take it to understands the Stude suspension and how to make the actual adjustments. A friend of mine (Ray F.) had the suspension badly damaged by a front end guy that "thought" he know what he was doing.

Suggestion - read the front end alignment section of the Shop Manual carefully, and then ask the front end guy a few specific questions to judge his knowledge of how to make the adjustments. If you don't like his answers, you may want to reconsider your choice of alignment shop.

Paul
Winston-Salem, NC
Visit The NEW Studebaker Skytop Registry website at: www.studebakerskytop.com

[studehunter]

I have no idea what any of this means but I am sure the guy at the shop will. thanks alot for the info.

Domenic Manera
1954 Regal Starlight Coupe

[buddymander]

Even front end mechanics who are knowledgeable of studebakers will crank the trunnions to extremes which causes them to run without full contact. Anybody who has taken a trunnion apart to find it worn off center can testify to this. It's best to center the trunnions and then file the control arm mounting holes to achieve proper alignment. A lot of trouble that few will go to, but can more than triple the lifespan of components. Lastly, the original alignment specifications are outdated concerning caster.

[studehunter]

now i am nervous!!!

Domenic Manera
1954 Regal Starlight Coupe

[jclary]

Domenic, you do have the manuals don't you?

John Clary
Greer, SC

Life... is what happens as you are making plans.
SDC member since 1975

[studehunter]

I have them but I have not used them because I want them to be in good condition when I show it. I have been working off of the electronic copies that I bought several years ago.I am having trouble finding the alignment section on the digital copy. a page number and which book to look in would help.

Thanks

Domenic Manera
1954 Regal Starlight Coupe

[jclary]

I don't think any manual is complete without some greasy finger prints or smudges. You will find the alignment specs at the beginning of the "Front Suspension and Steering System" section of the shop manual. On these old Studebaker front ends, for camber I have found that with the car jacked up you adjust the wheels so that the top of the wheels are spread out as far as they will go and then when it is lowered back down hopefully...it will stand somewhat straight on the tread. That usually helps me until I get it to someone who actually knows what they are doing. If you have a couple of tire dealers in your area who actually make their living off of selling tires and having satisfied customers...they should steer (pun intended) you to someone who can get it right.

John Clary
Greer, SC

Life... is what happens as you are making plans.
SDC member since 1975

[Warren Webb]

If you dont want to mess up the paper manuals, then get the cd that has the chassis & body manuals plus the service manual & print out the pages as you need them. Real handy too when the occasion arises such as this when you need work done that you cant do yourself.

60 Lark convertible
61 Champ
62 Daytona convertible
63 G.T. R-2,4 speed
63 Avanti (2)
66 Daytona Sport Sedan

[Anne F. Goodman]

If the guy doing the work has never done a Studebaker or asks you who makes it Run Run as fast as you can.

Mabel 1949 Champion
Hawk 1957 Silverhawk
Gus 1958 Transtar
The Prez 1955 President State
Blu 1957 Golden Hawk
Daisy 1954 Commander Regal Coupe
Fresno,Ca

[studehunter]

I guess all of you think I am just that dumb to have taken on a task like this without the manuals. I have the cd, bought it before I turned the first nut on the car. I did not want to grease them up so to speak so that there will be no chance of cross contamination in the car. I just missed it looking it up on the computer, Thanks John for the insight I have found it and printed off the 31 pages that it refers to. I think I am in good shape now. Again as always thanks for all the input...

Domenic Manera
1954 Regal Starlight Coupe

[jclary]

quote:Originally posted by studehunter

I guess all of you think I am just that dumb ...... as always thanks for all the input...

Domenic Manera
1954 Regal Starlight Coupe

I don't think after seeing the pictures of what you have accomplished so far...any of us could accuse you of being dumb. Some of us might be jealous, envious, or ticked off because you have the use of an actual spray booth.[B)]But the big thing is that we can be a rowdy bunch and just like to needle each other from time to time.[}] Some might call it "stir crazy", or having "cabin fever", but for most of us it is probably "recliner fever" as we sit around and peck out this drivel most accurately highlighted in the other forum thread entitled "the forum changes a light bulb." ...so don't worry what we "think" ...just keep up the good work and let us know when we can help...so we can needle you some more

John Clary
Greer, SC

Life... is what happens as you are making plans.
SDC member since 1975

[studehunter]

no problem John I was really just picking myself.... thanks for all of the help and info, by the way any news on the wagons?

Domenic Manera
1954 Regal Starlight Coupe