1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Alignment adjustability and specs

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Old May 31, 2012 | 07:26 PM
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From: GA
Alignment adjustability and specs

When performing an alignment, what can be adjusted with stock components. Here's what i know:

Front: toe can be adjusted via tie rods, camber adjusted via rotating strut mounts, but what about caster?

Rear: what can be adjusted, if any?

Also, how are the following specs for an aggressive street alignment (I know camber can be somewhat dependent on the tires themselves but I'm just looking for general info as a start)
Front:
Camber - 1 to 2 degrees
Caster - 4 to 5 degrees
Toe - 0

Rear:
?

And lastly, tire size that I'll be using for my own setup is 215/60/15 for the front and 265/50/15 for rear. How much of a change from the above specs due to tire size?

Last edited by craaaazzy; May 31, 2012 at 07:31 PM.
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Old May 31, 2012 | 07:35 PM
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caster is also effected by rotating the strut mount
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Old May 31, 2012 | 08:02 PM
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There are no adjustments for the solid rear axle in the 1st gens. Not much adjustment with stock suspension components in the front. As you stated, tie rods for toe, and rotating the strut top for a small amount of camber/caster.
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Old May 31, 2012 | 08:13 PM
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Caster is adjusted with the nuts that mount the strut rod to the frame mounts near the front of the car.
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Old May 31, 2012 | 08:28 PM
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From: GA
Originally Posted by rwatson5651
Caster is adjusted with the nuts that mount the strut rod to the frame mounts near the front of the car.
Not quite understanding this but will look under the car to see. But basically, toe is the only adjustable item that one needs to worry about.
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Old May 31, 2012 | 08:58 PM
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Originally Posted by craaaazzy
Not quite understanding this but will look under the car to see. But basically, toe is the only adjustable item that one needs to worry about.
That is more or less correct about the toe. rwatson brings up a good point though. If you look at the front suspension, you will see what are call strut rods that keep the control arm, and therefore wheel, from moving forward/back under braking and general loading of the front suspension. These can be adjusted and will have an effect on caster.
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Old Jun 1, 2012 | 10:35 AM
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From: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
basically with stock parts you rotate the strut top to get as much negative camber and positive camber as possible, strut should be in an towards the rear.

toe should be about zero.
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Old Jun 1, 2012 | 12:53 PM
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thanks guys, here's what i was able to get with stock parts:

front:
camber -.6 L, -1.0 R
caster 2.7 L, 2.9 R
toe: 0 for both

rear:
camber -.5 L, -.6 R
toe -.08 L, -.08 R
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