Thread: 98 GS 4T65E fixed alignment Q

Thanks to this forum and others the trans is now spot on.I bought this 98 SC regal with 157k mi. runs awesome bought cheap do to trans when warm would shudder at launch and at WOT it would surge like a clutch pack coming on and off.Serviced it first added lucas,put 300mi no change.Ordered a force motor,finally got around to doing it,it went 2-4-6,had the frame swung out of the way was able to get cover off and back on with no problem.Also replace engine pan gasket, was easy with stuff out of the way.Took 6.5 hrs for all, not counting cleaning tools and floor.Having a rack made it easy.No leaks and trans is perfect.Ive been beating on it hard and no issues.One question I have for the pros,my steering wheel is off center by just a hair to the left.Does someone know if a loosened the frame bolts and made a slight tweek to bring steering wheel to center which way should I try to move it?hope what im asking makes sense.going down the road the wheel maybe off center 1/2 inch,it was perfect before.Thanks for this awesome forum.Gnz,and no im not taking it in to set the toe.

Yes, if you loosen the cradle bolts, the cradle will shift a little. You might get away with playing with it. However, an alignment is the only way to know.

I know thats all it will take to correct it,do you know with all 4 bolts loose,should i pull or pry the front to the left or the right? then tighten

based on rear wheel drive cars you would adjust the toe the same direction it is off to center.

hey everyone
Who here understands alignments?I sure could use your help.I recently did some trans work on my 98 GS and had the frame out.Everything went back perfect and fixed the issue.The steering was centered perfect,now its ever so slightly off to the left.I know I can bring it in straight by loosing frame bolts pry front of frame to one direction or the other and tighten and be straight.Who hear knows what direction to pry before tightning?I would rather do that than adjusting the toe.Thanks

im willing to say you may never get it back where it was no matter how much you play with the cradle shifting it side to side. a 60 dollar alignment will fix it up nicely.

You may also be able to loosen the rack to subframe bolts and turn the wheel gently to "move" the rack a little. Then tighten the bolts back down. There's a little play in everything.

Originally Posted by BillBoost37

You may also be able to loosen the rack to subframe bolts and turn the wheel gently to "move" the rack a little. Then tighten the bolts back down. There's a little play in everything.

As mentioned, this can get you close. But you still need a good alignment to make sure everything is aligned correctly. Or you will wear out your tires in no time flat.

So if it had a good alignment before,then i remove frame reinstall and now alignments out enough for uneven tire wear? how much variation from stock to custom specs,some range i bet,what adjustment changed in the alignment removing the frame?I could agree it could be slightly out,I agree moving the rack might move 1/16 of an inch could get the wheel straight BTW good idea to try,i think i need to pry it left to get could get the wheel straight, original question which way to try and move.Hey, appreciate all who posted thanks

getting an alignment will be your best bet at having it perfect after you're done.

they don't cost that much.

the car drives perfect . i dont think its out enough to bother if out at all,does removing frame automatically mean alignment is out of it large range of specs?,the car is a near creambuff for the year and miles,im in it less than a grand,all i do is drive it to town once in a while and hammer it and drive like stolen,i wont spend the $40 for alignment ,i will play with it ,I was hoping someone here knew the effects of moving the cradle or rack what direction for a certain result.Its off so little most folks wouldnt do anything.The tires will get smoked off of it before any edges develope

Originally Posted by torq455

Yes, if you loosen the cradle bolts, the cradle will shift a little. You might get away with playing with it. However, an alignment is the only way to know.

X2 ........But you might want to line up the cradle to factory specs and work from there......There is alignment holes on the passenger side of the cradle I believe there is one in the back and one in the front.......You take a 3/4 steel round bar and slide it thru the cradle and into the frame with the cradle bolts loosen up and cradle supported. This will put you to factory caster spec....and you then tweak it from there.....1-caster(cradle).....2-camber(shock bolts)........3-toe(outer tie-rods).

Here are some links to help you....
h**p://www.elantragtclub.com/id554.html -DIY Alignment Instructions

h**p://www.racerpartswholesale.com/ -Alignment Tools (Manual)

VERY good info,valuable post.Thanks

Originally Posted by moddman

X2 ........But you might want to line up the cradle to factory specs and work from there......There is alignment holes on the passenger side of the cradle I believe there is one in the back and one in the front.......You take a 3/4 steel round bar and slide it thru the cradle and into the frame with the cradle bolts loosen up and cradle supported. This will put you to factory caster spec....and you then tweak it from there.....1-caster(cradle).....2-camber(shock bolts)........3-toe(outer tie-rods).

Here are some links to help you....
h**p://www.elantragtclub.com/id554.html -DIY Alignment Instructions

h**p://www.racerpartswholesale.com/ -Alignment Tools (Manual)