I have a 1976 280z that I am in the finishing stages of totally rebuilding from scratch.  I have stock rear control arms but custom hub mounts and needed a way to set the toe and camber so I am using adjustable rear control arm bushings that allow for toe and camber adjustment.  I understand how to adjust the bushings, but where I am struggling is a reference point to set the toe.  It's my understanding that usually the front toe is set with reference to the rear.  However, neither my front nor rear toe is set.  

Not sure the best way forward.  I guess I could find the centerline of the car?  The frame rails could be an option, however those have been replaced and might not be perfectly square.  

Any advice welcome. 

Thanks

 

Edited August 17, 2024Aug 17 by fusion

If I were messing with this, I would probably try to find the centerline of the car and go from there.

While I'm here, what did you use for your adjustable bushings? Got any pics?

There are alignment shops that have a laser system that can dial them in from what I’ve read. Not sure where or how they choose a base line. The article I read was about AWD vehicles and 4 wheel steering similar to the 300zx turbo. Didn’t realize Nissan manufactured one until the Parts manager mentioned they had one in the shop.

2 hours ago, Captain Obvious said:

If I were messing with this, I would probably try to find the centerline of the car and go from there.

While I'm here, what did you use for your adjustable bushings? Got any pics?

These are the bushings: 

https://technotoytuning.com/nissan/240z/rear-camber-and-toe-bushings-240z-260z-and-280z

Got it. Here's a pic of the adjustable bushings so I don't have to keep going to the website:

My son ('76 280Z (which was factory Gold Metallic BTW)) used those years ago to adjust the rear control arm as much as they would allow. He lowered his 280Z mightily and even at maximum they didn't bring the toe back all the way (especially on the right side which has always been weird to me).

Depending on how much of a change you've made, you may not need to worry about the precision. Just saying... (and since he stuck with stock struts, he never got his camber even close...)

Edited August 17, 2024Aug 17 by cgsheen1

On 8/16/2024 at 11:59 PM, fusion said:

These are the bushings: 

https://technotoytuning.com/nissan/240z/rear-camber-and-toe-bushings-240z-260z-and-280z

I agree with cgsheen1

 

They claim 2 degrees of camber with these, but when I used similar bushings years ago, I could only get about 1/2 degree of negative camber.

I just adjusted the for max. (Offset the bushings so that the control arms are both at the farthest point from the center of the car.

If you want to get serious, you need something along these lines.

https://www.arizonazcar.com/suspension

 

Edited August 18, 2024Aug 18 by crayZlair

And probably coilovers with camber plates...