Not your same old alignment questions - a problem
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,762
Likes: 2
From: Murphy TX
Not your same old alignment questions - a problem
The car handled unbelievably this weekend at Texas World Speedway. I had to give 2 passes the entire weekend, one to a guy in a Z3 putting down 460hp and another to a 350z who could really drive...I did keep up though.
I started with -1.5/-1 camber and it was awesome.
On the way home I noticed that in order to go straight down the road the wheel was turned maybe 5 degrees to the right (maybe more, it wasn't extreme but you couldn't miss it). The car would go straight with hands off the wheel - didn't pull, but the wheel was cockeyed.
Anyone had this happen? I did run up on some of curbs...one or two a bit harder than I should. Do you think I should just have the alignment checked or is there something else? I just got an alignment, I don't want to pay again only to find that it was something else.
Many thanks for any inputs!!
I started with -1.5/-1 camber and it was awesome.
On the way home I noticed that in order to go straight down the road the wheel was turned maybe 5 degrees to the right (maybe more, it wasn't extreme but you couldn't miss it). The car would go straight with hands off the wheel - didn't pull, but the wheel was cockeyed.
Anyone had this happen? I did run up on some of curbs...one or two a bit harder than I should. Do you think I should just have the alignment checked or is there something else? I just got an alignment, I don't want to pay again only to find that it was something else.
Many thanks for any inputs!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,138
Likes: 37
From: Burbank. CA.
(1) You could have knock out the front toe. The car would still go straight, but your steering wheel would be crooked. The front toe would have to be readjusted.
(2) The rear camber or toe is way out and the car is driving down the road crooked.
Both things has happened to me at different times.
If you don't know how to check this, then maybe you should have someone check it out.
Goodluck and let us know what happens.
Steve
(2) The rear camber or toe is way out and the car is driving down the road crooked.
Both things has happened to me at different times.
If you don't know how to check this, then maybe you should have someone check it out.
Goodluck and let us know what happens.
Steve
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,969
Likes: 2
From: Lake Worth FL
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06 & '12
Was the steering wheel off before you went to the track? Either way its a simple adjustment. The toe can be set perfectly but the steering wheel can still be off. All you need to do is adjust the tie rod ends the same number of turns on both sides until the wheel is straight. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 843
Likes: 9
From: Laguna Hills CA
ah HA -- I've been here.
Probably easier answer -- The wheel wasn't centered when toe was reset. If the rear toe was FUBAR that bad, the car wouldn't track straight. Assuming the car tracks straight and toe has been set to something other than tire-wrecking proportions . . . it's just an issue of one tierod being set more than the other -- since the front pivots as needed, the end result is an off-center wheel. Easy answer, lift the car, center the wheel, and reset toe.
Probably easier answer -- The wheel wasn't centered when toe was reset. If the rear toe was FUBAR that bad, the car wouldn't track straight. Assuming the car tracks straight and toe has been set to something other than tire-wrecking proportions . . . it's just an issue of one tierod being set more than the other -- since the front pivots as needed, the end result is an off-center wheel. Easy answer, lift the car, center the wheel, and reset toe.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,762
Likes: 2
From: Murphy TX
Cool guys -
I'm pretty sure it was straight before I went... I was going down the road to get gas before my last run and that's when I noticed it...I think I would have noticed it earlier...I actually ran the last run with it like that and the car was very fast (fastest run of the weekend).
I'll probably just bring it in and have them recheck (I won't them I curbed it in the esses
or came off the oval on to the apron at 100 
).
I'm pretty sure it was straight before I went... I was going down the road to get gas before my last run and that's when I noticed it...I think I would have noticed it earlier...I actually ran the last run with it like that and the car was very fast (fastest run of the weekend).
I'll probably just bring it in and have them recheck (I won't them I curbed it in the esses
or came off the oval on to the apron at 100 ).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,138
Likes: 37
From: Burbank. CA.
You metioned that you just got a alignment. If they don't tighten the nuts down with a big breaker bar, things can come loose with the added pressure of racing. The camber and caster can get moved.
Steve
Steve
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 843
Likes: 9
From: Laguna Hills CA
Originally Posted by mountainbiker2
You metioned that you just got a alignment. If they don't tighten the nuts down with a big breaker bar, things can come loose with the added pressure of racing. The camber and caster can get moved.
Steve
Steve
Easy recommendations --
a) Enlist the help of Mongo the demon-key installer with a breaker bar
b) Impact wrench set 125lbs
c) Camber plates (not free, but worth it)
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