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Old 07-03-2018, 05:04 PM   #1
Bursonaw
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Default Adjusting Camber, looking for a shop in Connecticut.

I had just checked the alignment on my 36 Ford. I’m running a 4” dropped axle, the total Camber measured at negative 1 degrees. The Ford specks are 0 to 1 degree positive.

My choices to correct the camber are.
1. Remove the axle and send it out for adjustment.
2. Find a local shop that will cold bend the axle on the car. A common procedure many years ago, however after many calls, it seams to be a lost art. I did call some diesel truck shops but I was told that the alignment rack is to big for my car.

Before I go with option 1, Does anyone know a shop in New England that can cold bend an axle on the car?




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Old 07-03-2018, 06:50 PM   #2
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Default Re: Adjusting Camber, looking for a shop in Connecticut.

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I had just checked the alignment on my 36 Ford. I’m running a 4” dropped axle, the total Camber measured at negative 1 degrees. The Ford specks are 0 to 1 degree positive.

My choices to correct the camber are.
1. Remove the axle and send it out for adjustment.
2. Find a local shop that will cold bend the axle on the car. A common procedure many years ago, however after many calls, it seams to be a lost art. I did call some diesel truck shops but I was told that the alignment rack is to big for my car.

Before I go with option 1, Does anyone know a shop in New England that can cold bend an axle on the car?




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Superior Spring has always been able to do the bending of front axles. Heck they did my Deuce roadster front axle. I would go to their shop and talk to them in person I bet you will get them to do it without any trouble at all.
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Old 07-03-2018, 06:54 PM   #3
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Default Re: Adjusting Camber, looking for a shop in Connecticut.

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Superior Spring has always been able to do the bending of front axles. Heck they did my Deuce roadster front axle. I would go to their shop and talk to them in person I bet you will get them to do it without any trouble at all.


Thanks I will try them!

Regards

Tony


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Old 07-03-2018, 07:09 PM   #4
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Default Re: Adjusting Camber, looking for a shop in Connecticut.

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Superior Spring has always been able to do the bending of front axles. Heck they did my Deuce roadster front axle. I would go to their shop and talk to them in person I bet you will get them to do it without any trouble at all.


What city are they in? There are three listed, Hartford, CT. Hamden, CT and Cheshire, MA.

Regards

Tony


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Old 07-03-2018, 09:03 PM   #5
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Default Re: Adjusting Camber, looking for a shop in Connecticut.

Used Superior Spring in Hartford years ago but I believe they are no longer in business on West Service Rd. in Htfd.
Super Spring, I believe is a spin off and took over some of the business when Superior left.
Call Super Spring to see if they can provide the service.
Also try Strongs Alighnment They aligned my car.
http://www.strongsalignment.com/
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Old 07-03-2018, 09:05 PM   #6
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Default Re: Adjusting Camber, looking for a shop in Connecticut.

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Used Superior Spring in Hartford years ago but I believe they are no longer in business on West Service Rd. in Htfd.

Super Spring, I believe is a spin off and took over some of the business when Superior left.

Call Super Spring to see if they can provide the service.


I will check them out, thanks!

Tony


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Old 07-03-2018, 09:35 PM   #7
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Default Re: Adjusting Camber, looking for a shop in Connecticut.

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What city are they in? There are three listed, Hartford, CT. Hamden, CT and Cheshire, MA.

Regards

Tony


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Go to the Hartford location since thats closer to you. My axle issues were corrected at the Hamden location.
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Old 07-03-2018, 10:13 PM   #8
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Default Re: Adjusting Camber, looking for a shop in Connecticut.

There was a discussion last week about big and little tires effect on camber.
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Old 07-03-2018, 10:21 PM   #9
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Default Re: Adjusting Camber, looking for a shop in Connecticut.

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There was a discussion last week about big and little tires effect on camber.
Bruce
Believe that is caster, not camber. Tire size shouldn't impact camber.
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Old 07-04-2018, 06:43 AM   #10
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Default Re: Adjusting Camber, looking for a shop in Connecticut.

Camber is an important issue with handling and tire wear. A good way to check it is with a yellow tire crayon. Find a long straight flat surface (parking lot). Put several horizontal lines across the tire and go for a ride. don't make any turns. This should show even wear pattern.
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Old 07-04-2018, 06:47 AM   #11
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Default Re: Adjusting Camber, looking for a shop in Connecticut.

There's also a truck alignment shop on Rte 5 (John Fitch Blvd) north of the 291 exit for 5, it's on the left. I forget the name.
Had many things done at Superior years and years ago. Super Spring should be able to help you as others have said.
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Old 07-05-2018, 02:39 PM   #12
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Default Re: Adjusting Camber, looking for a shop in Connecticut.

I want to thank everyone that replied to this post and update them on my progress.

I called Super Spring in Hartford and they do not adjust straight axles.
I then called Superior Spring in Hamden and they were the only ones that I could find in Connecticut that could and would adjust straight axles. I have an appointment next week, (takes about an hour). As a side note. Superior Spring moved from Hartford to Hamden quite some time ago. Superior still does a fair amount of hot rods and classic cars.

Thanks for the help! Sounds like this type of work is becoming a lost art.

Regards


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Old 07-05-2018, 02:54 PM   #13
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Default Re: Adjusting Camber, looking for a shop in Connecticut.

That and radiator shops........................
Paul in CT
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Old 07-05-2018, 02:59 PM   #14
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Default Re: Adjusting Camber, looking for a shop in Connecticut.

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That and radiator shops........................
Paul in CT


That’s true as well. I had to have mine checked a couple years back. Valley Radiator Service in Canton did a nice job on my 41 Ford.


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Old 07-06-2018, 05:31 AM   #15
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Default Re: Adjusting Camber, looking for a shop in Connecticut.

I know someone who spent 500 getting a v8 radiator rodded out. Someone told me about an old school alignment shop in Taunton MA that can do that work,
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Old 07-06-2018, 08:31 AM   #16
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Default Re: Adjusting Camber, looking for a shop in Connecticut.

Is your dropped axle an original Ford axle or an aftermarket axle? Most of the aftermarket axles are cast and not forged. I believe it makes a difference if they are going to cold bend it. Don't think you can cold bend a cast axle.
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Old 07-06-2018, 02:31 PM   #17
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Default Re: Adjusting Camber, looking for a shop in Connecticut.

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Is your dropped axle an original Ford axle or an aftermarket axle? Most of the aftermarket axles are cast and not forged. I believe it makes a difference if they are going to cold bend it. Don't think you can cold bend a cast axle.


The axle is an original that I had dropped. Thanks for the note.


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Old 07-06-2018, 03:48 PM   #18
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Default Re: Adjusting Camber, looking for a shop in Connecticut.

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Is your dropped axle an original Ford axle or an aftermarket axle? Most of the aftermarket axles are cast and not forged. I believe it makes a difference if they are going to cold bend it. Don't think you can cold bend a cast axle.
YIKES! I surely didn't know that you could heat a CAST axle, and be able to bend it. Could you elaborate, please? DD
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Old 07-06-2018, 04:07 PM   #19
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Default Re: Adjusting Camber, looking for a shop in Connecticut.

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YIKES! I surely didn't know that you could heat a CAST axle, and be able to bend it. Could you elaborate, please? DD
Just wondering who said anything about heating a cast axle??
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Old 07-06-2018, 04:42 PM   #20
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Default Re: Adjusting Camber, looking for a shop in Connecticut.

A dropped axle ,I certainly wouldn't try and bend it unless I new exactly what material its made of .Ted
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