[net.auto] going Straight?

ralph (07/05/82)

N reply to anton's question about getting North American cars to
to track in a straight line.  This is a problem that we had at
our stable with a '71 plymouth a few years ago.  It was very hard
to drive without looking like you were drunk, and was down right
dangerous (by our standards) over bumps (note that by US
standards it was alright).  It had power steering.  The answer is
really quite simple.  Find your self a good alignment shop that
will listen to you.  Tell the guy doing the work set the car up
with minimum toe-in and maximum positive caster.
The factory specs give you a range on these.  Most shops just try
to get it in the range, and consider it done.  By going to the
limits as specified, you will increase the steering effort
required, and lose some smoothness in the ride, but it will
track a lot better, and have better feel at the wheel.
After this treatment, the plymouth was safe and quite driveable.