Spitfire Alignment on Spit Front End

[MrP]

I asked this is an earlier post but I guess it got shoved too far down the list so I'll repost in its own thread. My tires seem to be wearing on the outside edge so I suppose my alignment is off. Is it difficult to adjust the alignment on the spit? Is it something I could do myself? Is it done with shims or?

MrP

 

[UltimateQuestion]

Front end alignment is not rocket science, but you do need to know what you're doing or else you should just take it to the alignment shop. They have the tools/equipment to do the job right the first time. The adjustment methods depend on whether you need to adjust your toe-in or camber - Toe-in is adjusted by screwing in or out the tie rod ends and camber is adjusted by shims on the suspension mounting points. Caster is not (easily) adjustable on the Spitfire. You will also need a flat level surface and some measuring tools, along with the specs to set the adjustments to. Get yourself a good repair manual for the Spitfire and it should contain instructions on how to set the front end.

 

[MrP]

I finally took it to a guy who works on Brit cars on the side and he did it for me. Have new tires now so we will see how well it wears I guess.

MrP

 

[78Z]

I've heard its best to take it to a VW Beetle shop and get a four wheel alignment. Any thoughts on that?

 

[Bob Claffie]

For all practical purposes there are no rear wheel alignment adjustments. It's independent but fixed. Unless you want to add Heim joints to the radius arms and fiddle with the spring not much to do. Poly bushings would be worthwhile but don't know if anyone makes them for the Spit. Bob

 

[MrP]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Bob Claffie:
For all practical purposes there are no rear wheel alignment adjustments. It's independent but fixed. Unless you want to add Heim joints to the radius arms and fiddle with the spring not much to do. Poly bushings would be worthwhile but don't know if anyone makes them for the Spit. Bob<hr></blockquote>

I think he adjusted both the toe-in and camber on the front end. (That is where the tires were wearing poorly). Not sure I would want to go with poly bushings because the ride in the Spit seems plenty tight for my purposes (I don't rally or anything like that). Thank you for the info guys. This is a great site!

MrP

 

[Bob Claffie]

Time to eat a little crow. The rear suspension of all or at least most Spitfires do have adjustments. Paging through my shop manual this evening spotted the shims located at the front of the rear radius arms. They would be for toe in/out- everything else is at the mercy of the spring for locating the uprights. Sorry, Bob