My car cant be aligned?!?

[sman]

So today I took my car to THREE different shops, all claiming they cant align my car. Somethings wrong with rack is what I was told. Being a v6 to v8 swap, could there be something no one knows? Is the rag/steering joint different, I was always told its the same and all of the shops confirmed this(according to them anyway). The cheapest ive found parts/labor is $505 to replace and realign. I am VERRY upset. Tell me there is something none of these shops know that is keeping this from working.....

EDIT: Just to clarify, Im using the v8 rack with the v6 rag joint which supposedly is the same.

[Darren]

wow Spencer I always thought they were the same too but I am not 100% positive wait till someone else chimes in on this like Brian!? Sorry to hear yet another road block man...

[sman]

It wont be at Woodward unless this alignment issue is sorted out, it does not at all drive straight, pulls hard to the right.

[lozanoa11]

they could just be afraid to mess with it because its a swap car??

[shawnc16]

maybe the alignment specs are different from the v8 to the v6 models? That sounds rediculous either way. What exactly is wrong with the rack?

[sman]

No one was told it was a swap, till after the fact. I left all of them blind for this reason. 2 out of the 3 said the rack must have been in an accident and hopped a gear. The other really had no idea and just assumed it was the rack.

[Kwazrollinz28]

they told me this to, 1, my steering rack bolts are loose, BS there tight, And 2nd my a-arm bushings are worn out, that is true but WTF there just looking for money.

[98blackbeauty]

Spencer, we used V6 rack and put it on the v8 K frame, so we'll see, one thought I had though was I did the rag joint and had it 180 degrees out had to take it off and redo it. When I went stop to stop and then centered the steering wheel IT WAS upside down.
I would have someone tun the wheel with car up on jacks, start at what you think is center mark it then go left to stop count turns, then go from center to right count turns they should be exactly the same. If your a tooth off I would think you would go more in one direction than the other. You want to be watching this at the rack input from the rag joint.
Once the rack is centered then adjust the tie rod ends to make wheels straight. then last you'll have to pull steering wheel and center it.
This would correct the problem.

[meissen]

I hate to say it Spencer, but do you know the condition of the car that steering rack came out of? I'm surprised you used the v8 rack? I used my v6 rack and steering. Do you still have the v6 rack that you could try swapping it out?

[sman]

Cant use the v6 rack on the ls1 cars, it wont fit, it hits the motor. Whats weird is the steering wheel is 90 degrees off, not upside down. It has to be a different rag joint. Ill be calling the dealer tomorrow.

O and the rack and complete front suspension and k member came off of Adams z28 which I never dissembled and which wasn't wrecked, and drove perfect and was aligned when he decided to part out the car.

[1BADAIR]

from what I can see (rockauto) the shafts are the same.
did you have the shaft off at the column also? or just at the rack.
you could park the car. remove the shaft then straighten the wheel and see if it lines up . DO not turn the wheel with the shaft off more than a little. If you turn it more than normal you can break the clock spring.

[MP81]

Sounds like a bunch of lazy ****ers to me...

[steddy]

Weird that no one will align it for you. The shop by my house aligns everything for '30s style cars to this year and they have had no problems. If you're willing to take a drive, I'm sure my shop could take care of it and not bleed you dry.

[meissen]

Wait a minute - v6 and v8 knuckle/rag joints ARE different. And specifically 90 degrees too, Spence. I remember now when I was researching about the rag joint eliminator that they said if you switch to the v8 rag joint that you have to drill a hole through something to get it to work...

Searching for the thread, I can't remember if I read it on LS1tech or CamaroZ28...

[meissen]

My solution to the 90º off problem, would be either drill a hole through the shaft and the steering wheel portion and then put a bolt through the whole thing (like the trailer hitch fitting inside the receiver and the pin holds it in place). Or to grind a small section out where the bolt has to pass through the eyelets but comes in contact with the round area on the splined steering side. If you don't quite follow me, take your shaft off and it'll make sense then Otherwise PM me and I"ll try to explain it better.

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/lt1-lt...liminator.html