Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Miken]

On my A40 truck, when I view it from the front, the front wheels lean very noticeably outwards at the top. The workshop manual tells me that this angle should be 1 degree. Using an improvised protector I reckon my wheels lean out at a cartoonish 6 degrees.
There is no adjustment here and the only reason I can think of for them being this way is maybe the lever arm shock absorbers that form part of the geometry of the suspension have the wrong length lever arm. A shorter arm would pull the top of the wheel in.

Does anyone have any information on the different lengths and applications of these units?
What length of lever arm should this vehicle have?
The Austin truck uses the same chassis parts as the A40 Somerset.
Thanks, Mike

[Keith D]

Hi Mike,

I have always understood that the upper wishbone assemby, which is also part of the shock absorber set up, was the same for the A40 Devon, Dorset and the Somerset.

My only comment is that the commercials (panel van and ute) had the larger 17" wheels. Perhaps these neccessitated a shorter upper wishbone arm???

I looked back at the photos you included when you first started this thread (Sept 2020) and your wheels seem to be perfectly aligned. Are you now having uneven wear problems with your front tyres?

Keith
_________________
1926 Chrysler 60 tourer
1932 Austin Seven RN long wheelbase box sedan
1950 Austin A40 tourer
1999 BMW Z3
Its weird being the same age as old people.
You are either part of the problem or part of the solution

[Miken]

Hello Keith,
Yes all the A40 range use the same arrangement and components as far as I know .
Yes the wheels have always leant noticeably outwards at the top since I've had the the vehicle (they leant out even further when I had the larger 17" wheels ).
It's always steered alright with no uneven tyre wear.
However, I've just had to replace two of the track rod end joints and one of the side links so I need to set the wheel alignment.
I asked at my local tyre place if they could do it. When they finished laughing, I decided to make a wooden gauge and do it myself. I have set the toe-in to 1/16 to 1/8" as best I can.
It's not a very good method but it's all I can do.
I believe these sort of lever units were fitted to all sorts of cars and I was hoping that there might be a chart that states the various lever length of the wishbone/lever length so I can check I have the correct items fitted.

[Ray White]

Hi Mike. Have you considered getting a Trakrite wheel alignment gauge? I have yet to try out mine so cannot speak from personal experience.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0ytDJ0mJoQ

[MikeEdwards]

^ That's a good suggestion, I use one of those for setting the tracking on my Vauxhalls, and on the TT, though mine was a car boot sale purchase. I can't say I have significant tyre wear issues, so it must be reasonably accurate, possibly more useful in that the way it works takes into account some wear in suspension and steering components.

I was given a Dunlop tracking gauge which I've tried a few times, I believe they're still available but at some cost.
_________________
1976 Vauxhall HP Firenza, 1976 Vauxhall Sportshatch (x2), 1986 Audi coupe quattro, 2000 Audi TT

[Miken]

[Miken]

So, good old Santa bought me a "Trakrite wheel alignment gauge" for Christmas as suggested by Ray.
It says to test your wheel alignment on a flat and level surface.
My driveway is sloping and wonky so this afternoon (Boxing day) I took some spanners and drove to my local Sainsbury's supermarket and spent some time driving back and forth in their car park.
It took a while but eventually I achieved a consistent reading in the "OK" sector of the gauge at the " toe in" end of the tolerance.
I don't really understand the geometry of how the tool works but hopefully it will be ok.
Happy New year to all.
Mike[

[Richard H]

I had a similar problem to this on my A40 Somerset when first purchased, it had loads of negative camber. I decided that it must be the shock absorbers so I bought a pair from the club and had them reconditioned. The arms turned out to be 1" longer on the correct ones!
It looked much better when the shocks were replaced, strangely it did drive ok with the camber way out.
_________________
Richard Hughes

[Miken]