Too bad the scratch is on the fender and not the hood.
I'll have to talk the hood over with wife. Not too sure she was going to buy it for me this month.

Jim

 

Well, turned the shim around this morning. The shimmy is almost completely gone. I could bearly even feel it. No hum what-so-ever.
A 3* shim would make it right on the money I'm sure.
One specific question for you possible axle engineers.
I noticed the hole in the middle of the leaf springs that the the bolt/ pin goes through. The hole is a little larger than the bolt from what I could tell.
Is it possible to throw your trust angle off from the slight movement that is allowed while the U-bolts (actually square bolts) are loose?
Reason I ask, I notice that one Caltrac bar has more threads showing on the right rear than the left rear. The difference is on the rear eye bolt threads. I threaded the front section at the hangers into the threads the same amount of turns. Though the rear threads don't have the same amount of threads showing. About 1/2" difference.
My current thrust angles on the rear are as follows :

Left Rear:
Camber: -0.2*
Toe: 0.04*

Right Rear:
Camber: -0.4*
Toe: -0.11*

Rear Total Toe: -0.07*
Rear Thrust Angle: 0.08*
Anyone with any insight on this? I'd really apreciate it.
Anyone with an alignment print out showing what the rear specs are setting at?
Thanks,

Jim

 

Fixed my rear axle toe and thrust angles today. I now have a -0.2* on both sides for the toe of the rear axle. Thrust angle is good now.
I fixed the Carrage plates under the axle. One side was twisted too far foreward because I sinched up the wrong side of the U-bolts too much.
I found that especially when using shims, you need to have less thread showing on the U-bolts were the fat side of the shim is at.
* Another tip. Be carefull to align the pin that goes through the leaf pack into the hole on the flange thats welded to the axle that the leafs set on!!
* Also measure the distance of the axle from each side of the axle tube to a point on the frame thats the same on both sides while the carrage/ U-bolts are a bit loose. There is a bit of play that can be had in this area. Be sure to sqaure this up before tightening down the U-bolts!
* Tighten and torque all U-bolt nuts evenly. Torque to 50-60ft lbs.

Jim

 

Jim, where did yo buy the caltracs at?? I am in need of some...

 

www.calvertracing.com
There a real nice group of people.
Make sure you let them know if your using aftermarket hangers. They may need to be modified or notched to allow for the Caltracs bracket to clearance the hanger. I know the Belltech hangers will have to be modified.

Jim