Is there any way to change knuckles without needing a wheel alignment?

[Whorse]

I've got this stupid lebaron I fixed up and got running, and the whole thing is halted now because the top caliper mounting hole is warped and will not take the bolt. I don't have a tap large enough, and there's no way I'm getting the bolt in. Only thing I can think is I have a set of van knuckles at my shop. What I don't have, however, is any spare money to have a wheel alignment done. Am I screwed or is there a way to get it right?

[Stevien1]

The easiest way (IMO) would be to make a paint mark on the knuckle around the strut, so you know were to set the camber bolt to. Then take the knuckle and bolt to a machine shop and have them fix the hole.

No need for an alignment and maybe $20 to have shop fix the hole?

[Turbodave]

I'm not sure if the minivan knuckles are the same as the lebaron, but if they are you should be able to get away with not getting an alignment. The toe setting should be about the same so you probably won't have to mess with that, but the camber settings will be lost. I would just put the new knuckle in and adjust the camber bolt to the same place it was at with the old knuckle and see where it gets you. When you done and the car is on the ground the tire should be pretty much square to the pavement.

This is not a recommended practice, but should get you by until you can afford to align it properly.

[Whorse]

It's a tough call. I've been advised to buck up and just buy a tap from the parts store. If that fails, I will probably try your tips.

[Whorse]

Update. This is not a common thread apparantly. It's a 15mm by the sounds of it, which according to the parts store would be specialty, such as say Snap-On. Maybe when that hoser Simon gets back from his trip I'll be really nice and see if he has one.

[boost geek]

Simon probably wont have one for you to use after reading your last post...

[Frank]

You can do it.

Remove both front wheels.
Use lug nuts to secure the disc tightly onto the hub
Measure the distance on the bottom of the disc on one side to the other.
Now replace the one knucle.
Before tightening the strut's bolts, put the discs back on. Measure the distance between the bottom of the discs. Adjust till you the measurement is exact. If you give negative camber, that distance will increase.

It should work.


Frank