Need Help With Alignment Issue

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Jul 14, 2007 | 02:16 AM

bdiddo

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 831

Likes: 2

From: Silver Spring, MD

Need Help With Alignment Issue

Took the car in now 4 times for what I thought was an alignment issue (twice to the dealership and two times to independent shops). Originally took it in because of a slight verring to the left. First effort at the dealership was to "adjust" the alignment w/i specs. Well, that did not help matters. They said it was probably "road crown". That did not cut it with me and I had the service manager take a ride to see for himself. They attempted to adjust it again as well as two other shops and i am still not satisfied. It still has a slight drift to the left and the steering wheel is cocked to the left by about a 1/4 off center. I saw a thread ages ago about a similiar issue. I had all four tires and wheels checked, suspension, etc. and all checked out OK and no unusual tire wear. My car is lowered but is dead on as far ride height front and back. any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thx, Ed

Jul 14, 2007 | 03:24 AM

99FewteRC5

Burning Brakes

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 1,208

Likes: 2

From: Long Beach CA

Cross the frt tires left to right and see if it starts to drift the opposite way.
Did they do a 4 wheel alignment?

Jul 14, 2007 | 12:52 PM

MUKAK

Race Director

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 11,059

Likes: 38

From: Menifee CA

mine pulls right

and i just did an alighmnet

Jul 14, 2007 | 03:56 PM

UstaB-GS549

Drifting

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 1,895

Likes: 84

From: Darien IL

I would ask to see the before and after alignment numbers. If the camber is not equal from side to side it will pull. + on one side and negative on the other will do it even if the angles are small. Seems like they changed the toe settings if your steering wheel is off center.

Jul 14, 2007 | 05:30 PM

AU N EGL

Team Owner

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 43,084

Likes: 33

From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdiddo

Took the car in now 4 times for what I thought was an alignment issue (twice to the dealership and two times to independent shops). Originally took it in because of a slight verring to the left. First effort at the dealership was to "adjust" the alignment w/i specs. Well, that did not help matters. They said it was probably "road crown". That did not cut it with me and I had the service manager take a ride to see for himself. They attempted to adjust it again as well as two other shops and i am still not satisfied. It still has a slight drift to the left and the steering wheel is cocked to the left by about a 1/4 off center. I saw a thread ages ago about a similiar issue. I had all four tires and wheels checked, suspension, etc. and all checked out OK and no unusual tire wear. My car is lowered but is dead on as far ride height front and back. any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thx, Ed

There may be the problem. Is that with YOU IN THE DRIVERS seat or not?

the Left side of the car should be 1/4 to 3/16" HIGHER then the right to compensate for the drivers weight. But that all depends how much you weigh.

Car drifts to the left when you drive as there is more weight on the left side ( adding drivers weight)

SO find something ( I use 17 Old brake rotors ) or something= to your weight and put it in the drivers seat, then adjust the suppension ride height.

Jul 14, 2007 | 11:41 PM

bdiddo

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 831

Likes: 2

From: Silver Spring, MD

OK.. thanks for the replies. We did switch the tires.. same result. I will pull out the alignment and review and post the results. Sounds like still has to with thw alignment. Never had the problem before and now it is driving me

CORRECTION to original post- it veers to the right not left. so that eliminates the weight distribution issue. Still can't understand why the steering wheel is off-center

Jul 15, 2007 | 01:59 AM

99FewteRC5

Burning Brakes

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 1,208

Likes: 2

From: Long Beach CA

steering wheel off center is an easy fix.

Jul 15, 2007 | 02:09 AM

C5GARY

Racer

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 271

Likes: 1

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99FewteRC5

steering wheel off center is an easy fix.

YES, and being off is indicitive that they are not really doing a good alignment! Most alignment shops will stop when it is "within specs", BUT, the specs are really wide. Try a better shop or better, learn to do it yourself (I did and mine is now PERFECT.. though it took a few hours!)
The pull might be ride height. Each corner is adjustable and a very SMALL difference will to that.. ask me how I know (my factory alignment).
Gary
'99 Pewter/Oak Z51/MN6