Left & Right Wheel Base Off, why?
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8
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Left & Right Wheel Base Off, why?
I've had a problem with my 1998 Convertible pulling to the right since I've owned it. I'm too cheap and stubborn to take it in for an alignment, but I'm about too anyway. Regardless, I've done the self-alignment deal with strings and laser levels and the whole bit. In course of doing that I measured from the center of each wheel on the left and right sides. This distance should be the same as the wheel base, on mine the drivers side is about 1/4" more than the passenger side. There's no evidence of bent or damaged components. Any one out there ever measured this or have any thoughts?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Redsox, Pats, Celts & Bruins !!! Redsox Nation !!!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Bent or out of line suspension, would be my guess if the car was never hit. Also if you do not have the steering wheel at 0 degrees dead on, you'll be off. Get it to a shop and have it done on a laser, IMHO
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8
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Thanks, I'm going to get it to an alignment shop this weekend. I'm just always freaked that they'll screw something up, but the pulling to the right it driving me nuts. I agree that the castor being off would affect the measurement, but I wouldn't think it would affect it that much, but maybe that's why it's pulling so badly. Anyway, I'll give it a shot.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,577
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From: Southern Maryland Maryland
Thanks, I'm going to get it to an alignment shop this weekend. I'm just always freaked that they'll screw something up, but the pulling to the right it driving me nuts. I agree that the castor being off would affect the measurement, but I wouldn't think it would affect it that much, but maybe that's why it's pulling so badly. Anyway, I'll give it a shot.
If the washers are not in the correct positions up front I can see how it could make a 1/2" difference. Chances are either your arm is bent or the washers need to be moved.
Phil
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
The rims are factory so I assume they have the same offset. As far as the washers go, you talking about the washers where the upper a-arms bolt to the frame? Mine has one washer behind each mounting point. I going to have it aligned, but I've measured the angle of a line between the upper and lower ball joints and I can't measure a difference that would explain a 1/4" inch difference in the wheelbase, but measuring caster is hard to do at home. Well see, when I take it in.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Southern New Jersey, The wet part at the bottom
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
Don't delay the alignment. I just had a computer alignment done at NTB post my lowering on C6 bolts/longer rear bolts, Bilstein shocks,and 18/19" wheels and tires. They give you a computer printed graph of the car before and after their work. It needed it as from lowering the car cambered in all 4 corners and changed the toe. This all cost $88 taxes included. I think an alignment is where you should start and may very well be all that you need.
