Changing a front bearing, modified the alignment

[Christian (archive)]

Plymouth Sundance 91.

After changing the front bearing (driver side) I observed the alignment was modified. I kept the original steering knuckle and I change just the bearing. Is this normal? I should make again the alignment for the front wheels?

I did the same thing on a Plymouth Voyager 89, but the alignment was not modified.

Thanks for your reply,
Christian

 

[Neil Nelson]

Plymouth Sundance 91.

After changing the front bearing (driver side) I observed the alignment was modified. I kept the original steering knuckle and I change just the bearing. Is this normal? I should make again the alignment for the front wheels?

Pressed in bearing, or bolt in bearing?
If pressed in and you removed the entire knuckle to do the pressing, then yes, you disturbed the camber adjustment which is the two bolts at the top of the knuckle where it fastens to the strut.

I did the same thing on a Plymouth Voyager 89, but the alignment was not modified.

You got lucky.

 

[ulas cosar coskun]

in my 89 car, it did not effect the alligment, at least up to the point i can feel. If the hub left tilted, it might be the reason of it. thanks.

 

[Christian (archive)]

Pressed in bearing, or bolt in bearing?
It is bolt in bearing. Indeed I removed the entire knuckle to do. Now the driver side wheel is a little oriented to exterior , dragging to the left and when I am driving I have to force the steering wheel to the right to compensate.

I need to readjust the two bolt in order to put back the alignment (camber adjustment). How should I move them to come to the normal camber adjustment, up or down?

Thanks in advance,
Christian

 

[Neil Nelson]

Pressed in bearing, or bolt in bearing?

It is bolt in bearing. Indeed I removed the entire knuckle to do. Now the driver side wheel is a little oriented to exterior , dragging to the left and when I am driving I have to force the steering wheel to the right to compensate.

I need to readjust the two bolt in order to put back the alignment (camber adjustment). How should I move them to come to the normal camber adjustment, up or down?[/QUOTE]

Best to have the proper equipment attached so that the
alignment angles can be properly set.
IOWs, you need an alignment.

 

[Bill Putney]

Best to have the proper equipment attached so that the
alignment angles can be properly set.
IOWs, you need an alignment.

I'd say it's mandatory. When camber changes, the toe also changes. Camber itself being off a little isn't going to hurt too much, but if the toe is off, you're going to wear the tires out in a hurry. The fact that the steering wheel is off center now tells me things are changed - mostly toe. Whatever you think you're saving by not getting an alignment is going to go for new tires before too long (also known as being penny wise and dollar foolish).

Bill Putney
(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my address with "x")