Front End alignment for Dana 30

[civilgee]

I have a 66 with a Dana 30 that I just installed a lift kit on along with tie rods and drag links. What is the deal with a front end alignment. I thought the only thing I can adjust is the toe-in. The camber is set with the C-bushings, and there is no adjustment in the caster. Do I need a front end alignment? If so, what is adjustable and what items should I ask questions about. Thanks for all of the help. I can't wait to drive with very little play in the steering wheel.

 

[broncnaz]

The lift kit should have included new C bushings that correct the caster not camber. It should be driveable now the play in your steering wheel could be a worn steering box. you can take it to an alginment shop to see if its in spec's if not you'll need new C bushings to correct it. There are also king pins availible to adjust caster and camber on the D30's.
What size lift did you install? did it come with C bushings?

 

[Hogback]

i adjusted my toe in at 1/8 and when i took it to the alignment shop he said it was dead on
there are different ways of doing it yourself, do a search for past threads and you'll get a plethera of info.

 

[civilgee]

thanks for the replies. I did get new C-bushing and they are installed. I installed a 2 1/2" to 3" lift. It was suppose to be 2 1/2", but due to the 6 cyl. and no heavy front bumper, it ended up being around 3" of lift in front. I added some half inch blocks to the new leaf springs at the rear to level it out. After I adjust toe-in, is there any reason to carry it to the alignment shop? As far as play in the steering, my drag link was about to fall off, so I think by replacing the drag link and tie rods, most of the play will be gone.

 

[Skuzzlebutt]

Caster, which set by the C bushings should be 2.5-4.5* with 3.5 being optimum. That's according to Ford, but apparently quite alot of Broncos left the line with less than the minimum. The UAW was getting lazy in those days. Too much caster makes the steering harder but will make the Bronco track straighter and steadier on the road. Too little caster makes the steering feel lighter but will also make it want to wander down the road. Aligning toe-in is easy but have a professional alignment done after you've
finished installing all you're going to. Make sure the shop knows before they start that you want the actual numbers they come up with for caster and camber. Often times the toe-in is all they'll check because it's all they can adjust. (They even charge extra because it's a 4X4 )
Once you have the hard data, you'll know if you need different C bushings, and if camber is off, there are angled shims avialable from NAPA that fit between the spindle and knuckle. Adding the shim would be an excellent opportunity to add those disk brakes because the exact same labor is involved.

 

[broncnaz]

See how it drives after you replace the drag link. If it feels good to you and doesnt wander then I wouldnt take it to the shop. I have a 2.5in lift on mine and have never taken it to the shop although I probably could use a little more caster it drives fine even going 80 down the hiway.

 

[civilgee]

Thanks for the help. Once I get it on the road, I will then determine if it feels like it needs an alignment. Thanks again.