Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => Drive train, fuel, suspension, steering & brakes => Topic started by: bpossel on March 31, 2008, 03:57:12

Title: Rear Axle Alignment Tool?
Post by: bpossel on March 31, 2008, 03:57:12
Hello All,

Does anyone have a "readable" copy (larger file)of this diagram that Arthur Dalton made?  Could you please email to me or post on our website?
Thank you very much!  Bob  :)

(http://www.sl113.org/forums/uploaded/bpossel/200833155453_aligntool.jpg)

bpossel  (Memphis, TN.)
'71 280SL  /  '97 E320
Title: Re: Rear Axle Alignment Tool?
Post by: DavidBrough on March 31, 2008, 05:27:52
I would also be interested in obtaining a copy as I'm in the process of rebuilding a 3.46 axle.

David Brough
1969 280SL Auto with A/C
Title: Re: Rear Axle Alignment Tool?
Post by: Naj ✝︎ on March 31, 2008, 05:46:20
quote:
Originally posted by DavidBrough

I would also be interested in obtaining a copy as I'm in the process of rebuilding a 3.46 axle.

David Brough
1969 280SL Auto with A/C



David,

I'll queue up for borrowing this from you as I am well behind on the project.

naj

68 280SL
Title: Re: Rear Axle Alignment Tool?
Post by: jeffc280sl on March 31, 2008, 07:28:20
Bob,

I hope this is clear enough.

Download Attachment: (http://images/icon_paperclip.gif) 113tool4a.JPG (http://www.sl113.org/forums/uploaded/jeffc280sl/200833192812_113tool4a.JPG)
57.5 KB

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed
Title: Re: Rear Axle Alignment Tool?
Post by: jeffc280sl on March 31, 2008, 07:28:54


Download Attachment: (http://images/icon_paperclip.gif) 113tool2.jpg (http://www.sl113.org/forums/uploaded/jeffc280sl/200833192846_113tool2.jpg)
44.3 KB

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed
Title: Re: Rear Axle Alignment Tool?
Post by: bpossel on March 31, 2008, 11:35:43
Hi Jeff,

Yes, thank you!
Very readable!
Bob

bpossel  (Memphis, TN.)
'71 280SL  /  '97 E320
Title: Re: Rear Axle Alignment Tool?
Post by: DavidBrough on April 01, 2008, 11:09:49
Naj,

If I get round to it first then you can have the aligment tool when I'm done.

David Brough
1969 280SL Auto with A/C
Title: Re: Rear Axle Alignment Tool?
Post by: jameshoward on April 01, 2008, 14:15:32
I am in the process of replacing all the rubbers on my rear/trailing arm. Is this something I should use? I can't see how it would work given what I've been doing as the various bolts fit into pre-drilled holes and center themselves when done up.

Am I - as I suspect - asking a v stupid question and mixing up apples with carrots?

James
Title: Re: Rear Axle Alignment Tool?
Post by: jeffc280sl on April 01, 2008, 16:10:08
James,

There are two adjustment devices on the rear axle.  

The first is the main axle carrier which is mounted to the large bushing/bracket in the trunk.  The lower section of the carrier is mounted in such a way that it can be adjusted and moved slightly forwards or backwards.

A second adjustment can be made on the cross strut which secures the axle, again via the main carrier, in place side to side.  

I don't think you will have an issue if you didn't change these devices.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed
Title: Re: Rear Axle Alignment Tool?
Post by: psmith on April 01, 2008, 21:21:13
So since I am planning on replacing the big differential mount in the trunk, do I need to make one of these to check/set my rear alignment when I'm done?  Is there an explanation on how to use it?  Thanks.

Pete S.
Title: Re: Rear Axle Alignment Tool?
Post by: jeffc280sl on April 01, 2008, 22:11:19
The adjustment for the differential mount or main axle carrier is at the differential itself.  Just changing the mounting/bushing in the trunk will not effect this adjustment.

Download Attachment: (http://images/icon_paperclip.gif) axle adjust.jpg (http://www.sl113.org/forums/uploaded/jeffc280sl/20084201112_axle%20adjust.jpg)
50.92 KB

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed
Title: Re: Rear Axle Alignment Tool?
Post by: wwheeler on January 30, 2012, 21:24:45
I opened this old thread because it has many pictures and the diagram for the rear axle alignment tool.

I am beginnning to make this tool and noticed on the print enlarged by JeffC280sl, that the angle between the alignment post and the right side leg is 110*. That would make the angle on the other side 70* by default. If you take a square to the drawing, the legs are not completely square to the post as the 110* angle would suggest it shouldn't be. So this seems to be intentional.

My question is instead bending the pipe coming off of a preset 90* tee, why not change the lengths of the legs on either side (shorten the left and lengthen the right) and keep the angle at 90*? The only reason I can see is that the tool was built and then "fine tuned" to match a known axle that was in alignment.

Thanks for any input!
Title: Re: Rear Axle Alignment Tool?
Post by: Larry & Norma on January 31, 2012, 09:53:17
I think you will find that it is 90 degrees, its just a bit faint. I made mine 90 degrees and it
worked a treat.
Title: Re: Rear Axle Alignment Tool?
Post by: 280SE Guy on January 31, 2012, 09:57:07
Wallace,

I'm not sure where you are seeing the 110 degree angle. The only angle is see is 90 degrees. Here is a complete set of renderings by Arthur Dalton I got from him back in 1998.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-nvn6300H32k/Tye36mEsoGI/AAAAAAAABBY/B7g15dYgDyE/s800/aurthurs%2520alignment%2520tool%25201.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BXQYYctrvp0/Tye361AsWuI/AAAAAAAABBg/ftCYj8IPo_s/s800/aurthurs%2520alignment%2520tool%25202.jpg)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vvUW8xXtw80/Tye37ME1CQI/AAAAAAAABBo/QCfEi6BtU_4/s800/aurthurs%2520alignment%2520tool%25203.jpg)

Regards,

Bob
Title: Re: Rear Axle Alignment Tool?
Post by: wwheeler on January 31, 2012, 19:22:33
If you look at reply #4 on this thread, the dimension looks to be 110*. All of those dimensions are faint but it doesn't look like 90*. The other funny thing is Bob's picture is totally square where as the one on reply #4 is a little off square. Maybe a scanning problem is causing the unclear dimensions and wavy lines.

Thanks for the replies and those quality pictures Bob. Just what I needed! It would be great to get those posted to the tech manual. I hate doing that sort of thing. The one thing missing is the size of tubing. I think 1/2" fits over the bolts the best. Is that correct?
Title: Re: Rear Axle Alignment Tool?
Post by: 280SE Guy on January 31, 2012, 20:34:38
Wallace,

The tubing Arthur used is 1/2" copper so you will need three elbows, one tee, and a length of 1/2" copper pipe. Here are the directions that I did not include in my post, hope you can read the hand writing.

Looking at post #4 it appears that it is a bad scan.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2UADH97MXeY/TyhPICktkZI/AAAAAAAABBw/y9TCHWFi-v4/s800/aurthurs-alignment-tool-4.jpg)

Good luck,

Bob



Title: Re: Rear Axle Alignment Tool?
Post by: twistedtree on January 31, 2012, 21:37:09
I just put this into the tech manual.  This is awesome reference material.
Title: Re: Rear Axle Alignment Tool?
Post by: wwheeler on January 31, 2012, 22:17:29
That writting is no worse than mine. Thanks Peter for installing that in the tech manual. If I had tried, I probably would have erased the entire manual.
Title: Re: Rear Axle Alignment Tool?
Post by: twistedtree on January 31, 2012, 22:20:56
Ya, like I'm an expert.  I only erased a small part of the manual :-)
Title: Re: Rear Axle Alignment Tool?
Post by: wwheeler on January 31, 2012, 22:26:46
Great job on the addition. I would add that 1/2" copper pipe was used. You can figure it out pretty easily though.
Title: Re: Rear Axle Alignment Tool?
Post by: TOMNISTUFF on February 01, 2012, 01:47:51
OK!  I've looked everywhere, including the wide open internet, to find what is a "center step bearing bolt".  It must be a term unique to this group.  Can someone please post a photo of what it is?  Is it what the BBB calls the "front torque arm mounting bolt" on page 35-1/1?  I've seen lots of fixture sketches, photos and dimensions, but I've never seen what the fixture attaches to.  HELP!

Thanks,

Tom Kizer
Title: Re: Rear Axle Alignment Tool?
Post by: TOMNISTUFF on February 01, 2012, 02:40:52
I think, but am not completely sure, that this is the factory version of the rear axle alignment process and tool.  I found it on page 40-3/10 of the BBB.  If this is what it's all about, then apparently the "step bearing center bolt" really is the front torque arm mounting bolt.  Where does the term "step bearing" come from?  If I'm wrong, someone please help me understand.  In a few weeks, I have to do this to my car when it comes back from the body/paint shop.
Tom Kizer
Title: Re: Rear Axle Alignment Tool?
Post by: TOMNISTUFF on February 01, 2012, 02:46:00
Moderator!!  I just realized I might have violated a copyright on the previous post, by posting a copy of a page from the BBB.  If I did, please delete it.  Thanks.
Tom Kizer
Title: Re: Rear Axle Alignment Tool?
Post by: Peter van Es on February 01, 2012, 08:56:04
You wouldn't be the first to post the odd page or section of BBB, and I'm sure MB won't come down too hard on us since it is only a single page. If they do, I'll take it down.
Title: Re: Rear Axle Alignment Tool?
Post by: 280SE Guy on February 01, 2012, 11:21:26
For the price (todays money) of a nice steak and a couple of drinks you could have bought the proper tool back in the late 1960's for $27.58  :)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-r0SAIoa1Tmo/TykdZAuuRVI/AAAAAAAABB4/CDcE8qgQOsE/s573/rear_axle_alignment_tool_11.jpg)

I wonder if you could get an MBCA discount on that?

Regards,

Bob

Title: Re: Rear Axle Alignment Tool?
Post by: wwheeler on February 01, 2012, 15:59:59
Nice.

Looks like they use cups at the ends to go over the nuts as opposed to A. Dalton's device that slips over the exposed threads of the arm mounting bolt. I looked at it last night and mine only has about 1/2" of stud exposed. Should be enough to work though. I got it started and hopefully finish the tool this week.

Now that you mentioned steak, I am ready for lunch!!!
Title: Re: Rear Axle Alignment Tool?
Post by: 66andBlue on February 02, 2012, 05:36:09
Wallace,
with your new alignment tool in hand you might be able to make one good car out of those two.  ;D
Title: Re: Rear Axle Alignment Tool?
Post by: TOMNISTUFF on February 02, 2012, 15:55:18
You might have to separate the cars a little to get access.
Tom Kizer
Title: Re: Rear Axle Alignment Tool?
Post by: wwheeler on February 02, 2012, 21:04:01
I think those cars may have friction welded themselves together.

Just a couple of new quarter panels should be enough to fix the coupe up! Bondo works like magic. :D