Rear axle alignment?

[rb68rr]

Twisted the axle on my GN a few weeks ago. When it finally got fixed the alignment isn't quite right. When I measure from the front wheel to the back wheel it's a 1/2 inch closer on the driver's side vs the passenger side. Is there a way to correct this? Seems like it would wear the tires out. And if you line up the front tires wouldn't it make the car appear to be crooked going down the road? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, R.B.

 

[Ed Valvo]

Maybe the front wheels are not centered in the wheel well? There is more adjustment in the front suspension than the rear. Mine is off too. I was thinking of adjustable upper and lower control arms for the rear.

 

[turbojimmy]

I don't want to hijack, but my question is somewhat related.

On a recent trip with a friend driving behind me, he called and said my car was 'dog tracking'. He said it was pretty slight but it was doing it.

I've had the car 10 years and never noticed it. Last year I replaced the upper control arm bushings on the right front and never had it aligned. It 'pulls' to the left and I have to have the steering wheel turned slightly to the right to keep it going straight. Can this be caused by the front-end alignment? My understanding was that dog tracking is caused by the rear being out of whack, but everything appears to be okay back there.

Jim

 

[turbofish38]

Dog tracking on our cars is caused by the front wheel alignment. The only way to tell is with a four wheel alignment. IIRC the amount of error according to the FSM is +/- 1/2".

 

[John Wilde]

Maybe the front wheels are not centered in the wheel well? There is more adjustment in the front suspension than the rear. Mine is off too. I was thinking of adjustable upper and lower control arms for the rear.

Do it!

 

[rb68rr]

If the rear axle is actually 1/2 inch off, when I have the front end lined up to keep it from pulling, will it dog walk? Seems like it would, a bunch!

 

[rb68rr]

I put my car on an alignment machine today. The toe on the left rear was .58 degrees and the right rear was -.17 degrees! I take it that this means they are both angled to the right. I'm assuming that this happened when they welded the tubes. Other than wearing out the back tires quicker, Can this do any damage to the axle bearings or rear end? Thanks, R.B.

 

[mhogan6]

The toe on the left rear was .58 degrees and the right rear was -.17 degrees

What were the Camber readings?

 

[rb68rr]

Camber left rear 0.0 Right rear -0.5

 

[rb68rr]

Thrust angle 0.37 degrees.

 

[turbo87regal]

My understanding was that dog tracking is caused by the rear being out of whack, but everything appears to be okay back there.

Jim

You are right, Dog tracking is caused by the rear being out of alingment and the front wheels being aligned to the rear. If the car was never wrecked your problem is probably caused by worn rear control arm bushings but you sould also check is to see if the body is on the frame straight as it will give the same look when someone is following the car.

I put my car on an alignment machine today. The toe on the left rear was .58 degrees and the right rear was -.17 degrees!

these numbers dont look too good:frown: looks like the rear axle is bent beacuse you should not have that much difference between both sides on a solid axle.