wheel alignment with radial tires

[BillyBob]

Do the wheel alignment specs change with radial tires?

[PackardV8]

No, alignment is same.

However, tell your alignment tech to crank in all the positive caster the adjuster can make, then back off half a turn to get the camber correct. Some Avanti can't even get to positive caster, but take all it will make.

jack vines

[Stan Gundry]

I am not a specialist on alignment, but my info is that radial tires run best with 0 toe-in, and that is what I have always used on my Avanti. It holds a straight line rather well. The AVANTI WORKSHOP MANUAL calls for 5/16" to 1/4" toe-in.

[PackardV8]

Two thoughts for your consideration:

1. The superwide low-profile tires on modern cars generate much more side thrust from any given toe-in than do the skinnies on an Avanti.

2. Modern rack-and-pinion steering is much more rigid and has much less deflection than does the Avanti with four tie-rod ends. What begins as a bit of toe-in can quickly go to toe-out as the 60 MPH road speed acts on the links.

Your opinions and results may vary.

jack vines

[Charlie Kile]

Keep in mind that the purpose of "toe in" is to compensate for the tendency of the wheels to "toe out" as speed increases. As the front ends wear on our older cars a little more "toe in" is sometimes needed.