Re: [AMC-list] HMX back on the road!

[Wrambler <wrambler242@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I took my American to poly bushings, ran as much caster as I could get on both sides, then backed off to the side that had less. Camber, I tend to run .5 neg on the right side and .25-0 on the left. Toe in I usually shoot for .25" and watch tire wear.

The tires are 205/60 ft and 255 60 rear.

The caster change from left to right just helps tire wear on the road crown we have here.

Springs are used Rogue V-8 upfront and extra six cyl springs in the pack out back.

3/8" thick lowering plates with 1 5/8" drop up front.

No swaybars at all, when the springs and tires are good the bars can work against you.
Mine steers neutral, the harder I push it in a corner it just hangs in there. No tendancy to over or understeer.

I remember my Americans from high school, bias tires and stock alignment and they wallowed around like pigs in a mud bath.

Don't be afraid to experiment with different settings, but DO make sure you UNDERSTAND what you are doing when doing or having alignments done.

Look for the oldest shop in town with either new equipment or it has the "feel" or reputation as being the right place to go.

Around here I got so tired of hearing. "It's within specs". I bought my own caster camber gauge and since I had the shop floor poured flat with no drains I just do it myself.

Before the poly verses rubber bushings argument starts, I chose them and like them.
Even with all I have done it still rides better than our 98 Altima did NEW!

Mark Price
Morgantown, WV 26508
1969 AMC Rambler, 4.0L, EFI, T-5
2004 Grand Cherokee Laredo, 4.7L, Quadratrac II
"I realize that death is inevitable.
I just don't want to be around when it happens!"

----- Original Message -----

> From: "Steve Avery" <stoverstevens@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Sent: Tuesday, April 12, 2011 2:41:24 PM
> Subject: Re: [AMC-list] HMX back on the road!
> 
> Don't know about part numbers but gather settings changed between
> factory
> bias ply cars vs. later ones radial ones. The '79 AMX and later Spirit
> GT
> definitely handle better and with better feel than my '70 AMX even
> though it
> has better than factory alignment and camber specs done to complement
> the
> wheels/ tires and offset, wider rims and tires, all new bushes and
> reinforced suspension arms.
> 
>  Something that did change, obviously, is that factory '79 and later
> AMX or
> Spirit GT's  are small body cars with arguably slightly better
> front/rear
> weight balance particularly with the six.
> 
> In addition, the factory GT or SAMX ( Spirit AMX ) have a factory rear
> roll
> bar and a much fatter front bar than my '70. Whatever the changes -
> small or
> large - they make a world of difference. Your  personal experiences
> may
> vary.
> 
> There are changes that can improve upon the factory offering. Ride
> height
> about an inch lower and front/rear spring specs more in line with what
> the
> B.F. Goodrich  Spirit AMX's used along with using poly supported stock
> bars,
> or better, a set from Larry Mitchell plus a set of KYB's or Koni's,
> new
> suspension bushes, new isolators for the rear spring leafs as well as
> the
> perches, a better steering box or the box built by a performance
> house, etc.
> really ties it all together. The ride height change really needs to
> accompany the spring change to make a real noticeable difference.
> 
> Steve
> 
> From: Marc Montoni <Freedom@xxxxxxxx>
> To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Cc: Dan Strohl <DStrohl@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [AMC-list] HMX back on the road!
> 
> 
> 
> Dan,
> 
> First of all, congrats on getting some wheel time in the HMX.
> 
> Second:
> 
> 
> >First things first, though, it needs a front-end alignment. Does
> >everybody with a 1979 AMX running radials just go with the stock
> >alignment specs?
> 
> 
> I have to disagree with Andrew Hay on this one.  AMC didn't really
> have any
> money to "radial-tune" the suspension, as GM did.  As I recall, most
> of the
> part #'s for the front end didn't change between 70-83.
> 
> As far as modified spec's, I'd think the ones from "Performance
> American
> Style" would be a good starting point:
> 
> https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/A36n50m_IztvwyaexOGvPw?feat=directlink
> 
> -- Marc
> 
> P.S.  If you like the much more surefooted handling of more modern
> cars,
> stiffer shocks, higher-rate coils and an additional leaf or two in the
> back
> would help the Spirit out a lot.  Last night, on a whim, I watched
> the
> Hornet and Matador racing along in traffic in the James Bond flick
> "Man with
> the Golden Gun", and was frankly horrified by the utterly gargantuan
> yaw and
> roll.  How did any of us survive?
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