67 Alignment Nonsense...

I've got a 67 wagon and for the life of me the car won't stay aligned. I go through a set of front tires about every 10,000 miles. Even though they're 165's I don't think they should wear out so fast. I have all polygraphite bushings and new everything up front. Any suggestions on how to (affordably) keep the car aligned? Anything is help because it's annoying.

I've got a 67 wagon and for the life of me the car won't stay aligned. I go through a set of front tires about every 10,000 miles. Even though they're 165's I don't think they should wear out so fast. I have all polygraphite bushings and new everything up front. Any suggestions on how to (affordably) keep the car aligned? Anything is help because it's annoying.Believe me everyone on this board who owns a second gen has been there:D :D the ultimate cheap fix is the cpp lower a arm kit($350)havent had a problem since:D bm

CPP mini subframe (lower control arm kit). Change it and never look back.
THAT IS ALL I HAVE TO SAY.
http://www.classicperform.com/NewProducts/2006/NewFiles/NovaSubFrame.htm

Yes, what they said. I replaced everything in the front end with quality components and had my car aligned at the best place in the area. Two hours later it was lined up (lockout kit takes time to disassemble and reassemble) but I still wore out the edge of each tire in the first season. Then I got the CPP lower arm kit.......haven't had a problem since, and the difference in feel and handling is unbelievable.

Are you sure it's being aligned properly? I had a 67 coupe and got over 30,000 miles on the 205/60/15 tires with a home alignment.

What they said.

My writeup is here:

http://www.bracketracer.com/nova/cpplca/cpplca.htm

Are you sure it's being aligned properly? I had a 67 coupe and got over 30,000 miles on the 205/60/15 tires with a home alignment.

I did a home alignment on my stock suspension also and the 205/60/15 tires on my 64 did fine. I cant stand to have anybody else work on my Chevy II's. Anything else I own goes to the experts though.

Believe me everyone on this board who owns a second gen has been there:D :D the ultimate cheap fix is the cpp lower a arm kit($350)havent had a problem since:D bm

$350?? Where have you seen that price lately Batman??? It's now up to $400 :awkward: I should have bought way back when thy came out.. sheesh!

$350?? Where have you seen that price lately Batman??? It's now up to $400 :awkward: I should have bought way back when thy came out.. sheesh!
Guess I haven't looked lately:o I'll make a mental note of that!Thanks bm

A less than "ultimate", but still completely functional fix, is installing a set of lower control arm camber lock-out plates (http://www.globalwest.net/62%2067_nova.htm), such as those made by Global West. They will only set you back about $50.

I see guys talking about alignment troubles all the time, and I wonder how I am immume to the alignment woes (so far, amyway)?

I rebuilt my suspension 1000 miles ago, with stock eccentrics, and everything. Home alignment when assembled and the car drives perfect. No pulling, no obvious signs of unusual tire wear. I checked settings after I drove the car a bit, and nothing seemed to move. :confused:

Maybe I have just been lucky so far, or maybe I just need to put more miles on it to really see the problems?

I worked my way through college doing alignments and suspension repairs in the mid-70's. I don't recall that there were any particular problems with Novas and the other cars that share this particular type of suspension, like Mustangs and Falcons. There were thousands of these cars on the road going thousands of miles with no more problems than other cars. I guess it's a modern thing - you take a car that was a daily driver for someone 30-40 years ago and then 'improve' on it until it needs large doses of attention just to go a few hundred miles....

Another thing that is often overlooked is the steering idler. That can allow a fair amount of play, which can lead to wobbly toe-in/toe-out values.

I agree with Mike. I never had alignment problems with my 67 stock suspension when all the components were in good working order. Of course, the suspension could DEFINITELY be improved upon, but thats a different matter.

An experienced alignment technician should easily be able to align your car if the suspension is installed properly and in good shape. I heard about everyone else's alignment issues, so after I aligned my car I paint-marked my eccentrics, strut rod nuts, and tie rods to keep an eye for any adjustments moving. I never had any issues.

BTW, I run 165r15 tires.

I heard about everyone else's alignment issues, so after I aligned my car I paint-marked my eccentrics, strut rod nuts, and tie rods to keep an eye for any adjustments moving. I never had any issues.

Maybe you guys just have better roads. :rolleyes: :p

BTW.. here is what I use to align my car.

http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=11134&itemType=PRODUCT

I bought mine years ago for much less than current Eastwood price. While I do not have many miles on the Nova yet, I have used this tool to do my '95 Mustang GT. I have about 24k miles since my home alignment, and tires are wearing well. All you need is this tool, flat floor, and tape measure.

Of course, there are other ways to do home alingments too... do a search, and you will find countless ways to skin the proverbial cat. ;)

Maybe you guys just have better roads. :rolleyes: :pDon't know about that:eek: Norcal has the biggest pot holes i've ever seen:eek: Now that I think about it....I have never seen 1 pot hole in montana:confused: bm