Alignment Flags

[Mac-MerC]

so why does mine look like this?.....
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Mac-Merc/IMAG0397.jpg

and the one posted a long time ago looks like this....
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Mac-Merc/alignment-1.jpg

so to get a correct alignment (carfixer's specs) i need to make mine look like this one?...... just pry the tab off?........

please if u choose to respond try and make the explination as simple as possible as how to remove it or if im looking at the wrong damn thing thats the issue

[Filby'sMarauder]

Yes, remove the tab. The cammed bolt will then be exposed, allowing for adjustment.

[Mac-MerC]

So i can actually unscrew the bolt... or do i have to break the flag?....

[guspech750]

I just used a BFH and a chisel if I recall.


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Eaton Swap + 4.10's = Wreeeeeeeeeedom!!

[Cougar_Marauder]

when I took mine in for an alignment the guy doing it had a hell of a time getting them off he said... I think he was using an air hammer. Good luck!

[fastblackmerc]

I just used a BFH and a chisel if I recall.


Sent from my iPhone
Eaton Swap + 4.10's = Wreeeeeeeeeedom!!


when I took mine in for an alignment the guy doing it had a hell of a time getting them off he said... I think he was using an air hammer. Good luck!

As stated, a BFH and chisel is all you need to remove it.

[MOTOWN]

Mines came off with channel locks

[Black_Noise]

take bolt out, then use whatever to break the flag off, its like they are spot welded on to bolt head

[Rockettman]

Does the entire "flag" come off?
OR
Is it just the flange that hooks underneath the crossmember? (Should you only be left with the bolt head?)


ALSO:
Where can I print off a copy of CarFixer's Specs that everyone has? Where so I get them?

[fastblackmerc]

Does the entire "flag" come off?
OR
Is it just the flange that hooks underneath the crossmember? (Should you only be left with the bolt head?)


ALSO:
Where can I print off a copy of CarFixer's Specs that everyone has? Where so I get them?

The flag comes off the head of the bolt. No need to remove the bolt.

[fastblackmerc]

This is Carfixer's original post:

"The inside edge wear of the front tires is caused by 2 things: negative camber and negative toe (toe out). Caster is not a tire wearing angle. The outside edge wear can be caused by excessive toe in and aggressive cornering.

Factory camber spec is -.5 degrees +or- .75 degrees
Factory toe spec is -.15 degrees +or- .20 degrees
(BTW, this info came from their website which is updated periodically and may differ from previously published material, such as cd's and paper manuals)

That means your alignment could have -1.25 degrees of camber and toe out of -.35 degrees and still be in the "green". This will wipe out the inside edges in <20K miles IMO.

All of the MM's I've aligned (about 10) had at least -1.0 degrees of camber and always toe out of -.10 degrees or more from the factory. That's why almost all MM's you see have excessive inside edge tire wear.

For best tire wear, here is what I use on all MM alignments:
Camber: 0 to -.3 degrees.*
Toe: Zero degrees.
Caster: 5-6.5 degrees positive with .3 degree lead on the right side.

*Camber can affect cornering feel. The more negative camber you have, the better it will handle corners. Most drivers will never feel the difference, especially on the street."

[Rockettman]

^^^ Thanks Jim.

[fastblackmerc]

^^^ Thanks Jim.

NP.

I print the explanation / directions and show them to the tech. Helps him to know why your deviating from the recommended secs.

[Mac-MerC]

The flag comes off the head of the bolt. No need to remove the bolt.

So...... the bolt does not actually go through the flag?....
it reads like your saying they are 1 piece... if they are 1 piece if im beating the **** outta it trying to break the flag off what happens if break the head of the bolt off?

[martyo]

So...... the bolt does not actually go through the flag?....
it reads like your saying they are 1 piece... if they are 1 piece if im beating the **** outta it trying to break the flag off what happens if break the head of the bolt off?

You won't break the head of the bolt off.

[Mac-MerC]

we will see

[martyo]

we will see

You must have positive thoughts my young Padawan.

[SilverSport]

Are these specs good for my 04 CV Sport also? Just got this car last month and I see the rear tires have the inside edges worn off which means they were rotated to the back. These tires are about 1/2 worn but the inside edges are not too far from cord showing. Will be upgrading the tires to something better than these Generals but want to get the front end tighter and properly aligned first.

[fastblackmerc]

So...... the bolt does not actually go through the flag?....
it reads like your saying they are 1 piece... if they are 1 piece if im beating the **** outta it trying to break the flag off what happens if break the head of the bolt off?

The flags are pressed on to the bolt head. If you break the head off the bolt your BFH is too BIG!!!!

[screamn]

If you break the head off the bolt your BFH is too BIG!!!!

Thats what she said..........

[Mac-MerC]

Got the flags removed today... Local Ford stealership did it, also did an alignment. Of course they would not do car fixers spec's
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Mac-Merc/IMAG0421.jpg

and a picture of my new tires... i love them
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Mac-Merc/IMAG0423.jpg

[screamn]

Got the flags removed today... Local Ford stealership did it, also did an alignment. Of course they would not do car fixers spec's
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Mac-Merc/IMAG0421.jpg

and a picture of my new tires... i love them
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Mac-Merc/IMAG0423.jpg

Hopefully you got a print out and the adjustment specs the stealership made is close to Carfixer's!

What brand tires? Look kinda close to the Nitto 420 tread pattern....

[Mac-MerC]

this is the print out they gave me... its probably no where near close to carfixers specs but it looks better than the initial print out they took when they first started. all except 2 were red.. so i would rather see this green anyday
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Mac-Merc/IMAG0424.jpg

and the tires im running are Continental Extreme Contact DWS
255/45 fronts and 255/55 rears. They do resemble the 420's thats why i like them. on most tire sites there get the highest ratings for high performance all season tires
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Mac-Merc/IMAG0395.jpg
when i clean the car I'll take some good pictures just like everyone else does

[Mac-MerC]

Sad how these lil things cause so many problems
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Mac-Merc/IMAG0422.jpg

[screamn]

this is the print out they gave me... its probably no where near close to carfixers specs but it looks better than the initial print out they took when they first started. all except 2 were red.. so i would rather see this green anyday
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Mac-Merc/IMAG0424.jpg

and the tires im running are Continental Extreme Contact DWS
255/45 fronts and 255/55 rears. They do resemble the 420's thats why i like them. on most tire sites there get the highest ratings for high performance all season tires
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Mac-Merc/IMAG0395.jpg
when i clean the car I'll take some good pictures just like everyone else does

IIRC a little bit on the costly side for my budget as I was interested in those too but Nittos prevailed.

[Mac-MerC]

what tires for our car aren't costly?...... in all i paid about 1k cuz i had to have the rears shipped from Miami. cant put a price on your safety

[Got_1]

does your car drift right? it should by those specs

[screamn]

what tires for our car aren't costly?...... in all i paid about 1k cuz i had to have the rears shipped from Miami. cant put a price on your safety

I hear you!!!!

BTW....I ordered from Discount Tire and the shipping to Hawaii just killed me. It was about $40 a tire.

[Mac-MerC]

does your car drift right? it should by those specs

i did 85 on interstate 85 rolling straight no hands..... sooooooo no
every car is different

[Rockettman]

I just put those Conti's on my '91 Mustang three weeks ago. Thery're a nice tire. Super quiet. Responsive. I find a "softer than I'd like" sidewall; but not a complaint otherwise.

[steve fox]

Car fixer is correct in his settings. I had new BFG KDWS installed and the front end lined up to the factory specs (much like the specs the dealer reported to you) at 20K. The tires were balanced every 5k and the alignment was rechecked at 47K. This week I saw the inside edge of the fronts was considerably more worn than the center or outside edge of each front tire. The wear looked much worse once the tires were removed from the rims. OK, 37k miles is close enough to the 40k mileage warranty to eliminate complaint. With car fixers spec in hand I took the MM to the only front end guy I trust. We discovered the camber adjustment maxed out at -.75. The factory cam and the hole in the frame would reduce it no further. We also could reduce the caster no further than -6. Some of this can be corrected with new (factory height or slightly taller) springs. However the local alignment parts supply offers a modified camber bolt/cam assy which has a more eccentric cam to provide 1.5 deg of adjustment beyond the factory bolt/cam. It is necessary to open up the hole in the frame with a die grinder to accomodate the shift of the bolt created by the more eccentric cam. The relief is not more than 1/8". This will allow a bit more caster adjustment as well. I do not have the part # but it should be available thru a front end supplier. H and H in Toledo is the source we ordered from.

[RubberCtyRauder]

I got my camber bolts from here

http://spcalignment.net/component/spc/?task=part_description&pid=87365

They are not exactly cheap, and had the only alignment shop I trust as well, install them last summer. I will be changing out the tires soon as they BFG's were already heavily worn to the inside so not sure how new tires wear is.

[Comin' in Hot]

I got my camber bolts from here

http://spcalignment.net/component/spc/?task=part_description&pid=87365

They are not exactly cheap, and had the only alignment shop I trust as well, install them last summer. I will be changing out the tires soon as they BFG's were already heavily worn to the inside so not sure how new tires wear is.

I installed them on my DBP, it's the only way to get into Carfixer's with a lowered MM.... It took my about 3 1/2 hours with jack stands and filling by hand. Well worth the money

[jimbok1951]

Ready to get 4 new tires this month & insist I get alligned with cafixers specs or say I will go to someone who can. Are you saying a a stock MM will never get attain them. Never heard this before, if so what do I want ? As close as they can get to carfixers specs or what ? Don't want to go in and ask for something that's not possible. Responses please, do not want to pass up the deal on tires that are being offered.

[fastblackmerc]

Ready to get 4 new tires this month & insist I get alligned with cafixers specs or say I will go to someone who can. Are you saying a a stock MM will never get attain them. Never heard this before, if so what do I want ? As close as they can get to carfixers specs or what ? Don't want to go in and ask for something that's not possible. Responses please, do not want to pass up the deal on tires that are being offered.

Carfixers specs work on my stock MM everytime.

[J-MAN]

Carfixers specs work on my stock MM everytime.

Me too! Both of them.