67 Firebird Full Hotchkis - Issue with Alignment, Help

[salesguy01]

After almost a week of going back and forth to the alignment shop, On the phone with Hotchkis (which has been great support). I am still at a loss here.

I just installed the Tube upper and lower control arms (already have their springs shocks, etc) and went to get and alignment. This seems to be the issue:

Pic below.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/06/20150618_121543_zpsnhry2w0m-1.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/user/dhessco/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150618_121543_zpsnhry2w0m.jpg.html)

This is both Arms with NO shims. The Caster is Awesome, But the variance in neg camber is killing me. If any shims are added on the left the caster will increase along with the camber.. bottom line is I cannot get the Alignment equal.

The left side the Cross-shaft is normal

The right side Cross-shaft is flipped over. if not it has like -4 degrees neg camber and the wheel looked like it was ready to break off.

Obviously I just spent a ton of money and several trips to the alignment shop. What can I do to get these things equal and within spec!! I would like to be 3.5 caster and -.5 camber

[BMR Sales]

Is there any evidence of past accident damage? How about damage from jacking up the car imprpoerly?

[salesguy01]

So I went ahead and ordered the Global West UCA with Offest Crosshaft. They said this would fix the issue since with stock A Arms I am at -.09 camber with no shims.

We Will see!

[Hotchkis]

Could you get us some pictures of our arms installed?

[salesguy01]

With the Stock A-Arms and no Shims I was at -.09 Camber on the "bad side/pass side". The sub frame looks good, but may be a victim of "frame sag" I think all the other A-Arms out there add static neg camber, which wont work. I hate to mix and match products, but it needs to be right.

Below are some pics.

If I flip the bar over it is way to extreme camber.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/06/20150607_182204_zpseiahwmwk-1.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/user/dhessco/media/1967%20Firebird/20150607_182204_zpseiahwmwk.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/06/20150607_125209_zpsprxpmhrg-1.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/user/dhessco/media/1967%20Firebird/20150607_125209_zpsprxpmhrg.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/06/20150616_220431_zpspggqrh2q-1.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/user/dhessco/media/1967%20Firebird/20150616_220431_zpspggqrh2q.jpg.html)

[Hotchkis]

So you had a significant left/right imbalance before installing our arms? And could you please tell me the assembly date on the box they came in? It'll be on the label with the part number.

[salesguy01]

So you had a significant left/right imbalance before installing our arms? And could you please tell me the assembly date on the box they came in? It'll be on the label with the part number.


This is my alignment with Factory arms a few days before I put Hotchkis arms on, Notice this is pretty good for stock arms. But still the passenger side has no shims, thats why i mention with no shims it is at -.09

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/06/20150623_112130_zpsxynwpszt-1.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/user/dhessco/media/1967%20Firebird/20150623_112130_zpsxynwpszt.jpg.html)

Also the Part numbers I have are #1107 for Upper build date 1/26/15 and #1109 for lower build date of 2/24/15

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/06/20150623_112240_zpsqah9wvim-1.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/user/dhessco/media/1967%20Firebird/20150623_112240_zpsqah9wvim.jpg.html)

[Hotchkis]

Given your pictures, the passenger side looks good, I just want to double check your drivers side is installed correctly. Do you happen to have pictures of that? If it is good, I would suggest you load an equal number of shims (front and rear) on the drivers side to increase negative camber and match the passenger side 1.7*. Camber would change little, if at all. Let us know if we can help out some more!

[salesguy01]

I actually went back and rebuilt my factory Upper Control Arms, The Hotchkis arms didn't have the Range of Adjustment I needed. I may in the Future go with Arms like the Global West ones which have offset cross shafts.

I rebuilt the factory arms with Offset shafts and got +3 camber and -1.5 on Both Sides. I'm pretty sure my frame has Frame Sag......
So A waste of time and loss of money!

[David Pozzi]

Did you check the sub for level? The best thing to do is measure from the front UCA bolts to the ground and compare.
Your A arm mounting surfaces on the sub should measure 30 5/16" front and rear across the car. With engine in, use plumb bobs to measure it.