'92 alignment/pulling problem
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,236
Likes: 355
From: Albuquerque, NM
'92 alignment/pulling problem
I just had some front end work done to my '92- new upper and lower control arms, new steering rack, and new outer tie rod ends. Before the work the car drove great- no pulling to either side.
After alignment at a supposedly competent shop, the car pulled to the right, not terribly but it was noticeable. Also, when driving staight the steering wheel was slightly off to the left. They showed me the computer print out of the alignment specs and the car was perfectly in alignment. They said it may be a tire problem (although it didn't pull before the front end work with the same tires) so they dismounted and switched the front tires. As I expected- no change- car still pulled right.
They finally set the caster (on the left side I believe) way out of specification to stop it from pulling. It feels much better but still pulls right a little bit at high speed.
My questions: Why would it pull to the right after the front end work if it's perfectly in alignment? Does setting the caster far out of spec do any harm? Should I take it to another shop?
After alignment at a supposedly competent shop, the car pulled to the right, not terribly but it was noticeable. Also, when driving staight the steering wheel was slightly off to the left. They showed me the computer print out of the alignment specs and the car was perfectly in alignment. They said it may be a tire problem (although it didn't pull before the front end work with the same tires) so they dismounted and switched the front tires. As I expected- no change- car still pulled right.
They finally set the caster (on the left side I believe) way out of specification to stop it from pulling. It feels much better but still pulls right a little bit at high speed.
My questions: Why would it pull to the right after the front end work if it's perfectly in alignment? Does setting the caster far out of spec do any harm? Should I take it to another shop?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
Broken belts in the tires could cause the pull. Their machine could be out of wack and their version of "correctly aligned" could be off. Find another shop and get it checked/aligned again....get before and after print outs.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,478
Likes: 4
From: Formerly from the Great White North but now residing in the Desert Southwest NM (The Land of Dis-Enchantment?)
Ryan
Take it to Firestone on 448 behind Coronado. Jim Allen runs the place and is a Corvette guy. Have Cyrus do the alignment, he does the Vettes. Get a before and after print out and if it's signicantly off make the original shop give you a refund. Jack
Take it to Firestone on 448 behind Coronado. Jim Allen runs the place and is a Corvette guy. Have Cyrus do the alignment, he does the Vettes. Get a before and after print out and if it's signicantly off make the original shop give you a refund. Jack
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,236
Likes: 355
From: Albuquerque, NM
His solution was to set the caster way out of spec to correct the pulling. I've always gone to Chet's Wheel Alignment because they have a great reputation, and I think I'll have to spend more money and take the car there to find out what the problem is.
Thanks to everyone!
Last edited by BlackbirdZ07; Sep 8, 2009 at 04:37 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 111
From: Cherokee National Forest TN
As advised find another alignment shop.
Normally both front wheels should be set differently from each other to compensate for crown of the road.
The vehicle needs 1/4 degree less caster in the left front as well as 1/4 degree more camber in the left front. In some situations such as front cross member sag due to age, collision damage or worn components the alignment may not meet factory specs however a good alignment specialist can compensate & make the vehicle track straight.
A vehicle will pull to the side that has less caster than the opposite side.
A vehicle will pull to the side that has more camber than the opposite side.
The steering wheel should be centered when the toe in is set. Since your wheel is off center the correct toe in may have been set however the procedure used was incorrect.
Vettes can have the thrust angle adjusted which will effect straight ahead tracking. This procedure involves rear wheel alignment. You did not mention rear alignment, your problem is more than likely incorrect front end adjustment by an incompetent tech or faulty alignment equipment.
Normally both front wheels should be set differently from each other to compensate for crown of the road.
The vehicle needs 1/4 degree less caster in the left front as well as 1/4 degree more camber in the left front. In some situations such as front cross member sag due to age, collision damage or worn components the alignment may not meet factory specs however a good alignment specialist can compensate & make the vehicle track straight.
A vehicle will pull to the side that has less caster than the opposite side.
A vehicle will pull to the side that has more camber than the opposite side.
The steering wheel should be centered when the toe in is set. Since your wheel is off center the correct toe in may have been set however the procedure used was incorrect.
Vettes can have the thrust angle adjusted which will effect straight ahead tracking. This procedure involves rear wheel alignment. You did not mention rear alignment, your problem is more than likely incorrect front end adjustment by an incompetent tech or faulty alignment equipment.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,478
Likes: 4
From: Formerly from the Great White North but now residing in the Desert Southwest NM (The Land of Dis-Enchantment?)
I meant Cottonwood...man, if they messed it up there's very little hope in ABQ. Chet's has a good reputation, but they wouldn't touch my race car.
Churchkey's info is right on. I'd make sure they do a complete four wheel alignment. If you've made mods only to the front and those mods caused some geometry change the rear alignment could have some effect. And I'd go back and smack Cyrus figuratively speaking. Get a before printout incase there is a major fault in their settings.
Churchkey's info is right on. I'd make sure they do a complete four wheel alignment. If you've made mods only to the front and those mods caused some geometry change the rear alignment could have some effect. And I'd go back and smack Cyrus figuratively speaking. Get a before printout incase there is a major fault in their settings.
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