ALIGNMENT/ROAD TRACKING QUESTION
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From: clovis ca usa calif
ALIGNMENT/ROAD TRACKING QUESTION
My car is lowered. I recently switched from stock 16x9.5 wheels and BFG comp/ta tires,to 17x9.5 ZR-1 style wheels and Kuhmo 255x45 Ecsta tires. The car didn't have any tracking problems with the stock tires and wheels. Now it has somewhat "nervous" steering if the road has ruts in it. The tire store tried like heck to sell me an alignment, but it had been driving perfect so I said no sale. Im not accusing anyone of anything. Do you think the tire store "tweeked" my front end? Does it sound like it needs an alignment? If so, what front end specks do you recommend? It runs strait and true down the highway providing the road is good. Thanks for the help.
James in Clovis Ca
James in Clovis Ca
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,270
Likes: 118
From: N. Babylon NY
Re: ALIGNMENT/ROAD TRACKING QUESTION (james holley)
Hi,
When you lower the car it will increase negative camber. Was the car lowered prior to adding the new wheels and tires?
The more negative camber you run the more darty it will feel on uneven road surfaces. If the toe is "out" it will also feel darty on the street. If the car was lowered before the new wheels and tires were added (and it was okay) check to make sure the tires are mounted correctly (ie: directional tires).
Please note that I am not a mechanic but I always due my own alignments.
Good Luck
Steven
When you lower the car it will increase negative camber. Was the car lowered prior to adding the new wheels and tires?
The more negative camber you run the more darty it will feel on uneven road surfaces. If the toe is "out" it will also feel darty on the street. If the car was lowered before the new wheels and tires were added (and it was okay) check to make sure the tires are mounted correctly (ie: directional tires).
Please note that I am not a mechanic but I always due my own alignments.
Good Luck
Steven
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 604
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From: clovis ca usa calif
Re: ALIGNMENT/ROAD TRACKING QUESTION (STEVEN13)
Yes the car was lowered before I added the new wheels and tires. The tires are mounted correctly going in the right direction. Whos the best front end shop in the Fresno Ca area?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,270
Likes: 118
From: N. Babylon NY
Re: ALIGNMENT/ROAD TRACKING QUESTION (james holley)
James,
What I would do is have someone check to see what the alignment is currently set at. Please note that the alignment settings would not change due to a different set of wheels and tires. Maybe with the different size now you notice a difference in handling-however I'm not to sure.
As far as specs go it depends what you are doing the car.
By your post remarks it seems you don't like the way it feels. If this is the case I would recomend close to stock specs as more camber would make it feel the same or worse.
Stock specs for a 1992 (which is properly the same for your car) are:
upto negative .5 camber front and rear (the manual say +/- .5 degrees)
toe upto 1/8" in
caster 6 degrees positive
I do not know of any shops in your area as I am from NY (Long Island)
Steven
What I would do is have someone check to see what the alignment is currently set at. Please note that the alignment settings would not change due to a different set of wheels and tires. Maybe with the different size now you notice a difference in handling-however I'm not to sure.
As far as specs go it depends what you are doing the car.
By your post remarks it seems you don't like the way it feels. If this is the case I would recomend close to stock specs as more camber would make it feel the same or worse.
Stock specs for a 1992 (which is properly the same for your car) are:
upto negative .5 camber front and rear (the manual say +/- .5 degrees)
toe upto 1/8" in
caster 6 degrees positive
I do not know of any shops in your area as I am from NY (Long Island)
Steven
