Ok... little history:

2000 A4 coupe with 85K. 3 weeks ago had a 4 wheel alignment done at the dealership and was told the rear was visibly off. They did the alignment and all felt fine (was told that all wheel bearings felt good along with tie rods and other suspension parts). I then took a trip from Michigan down to the Tail of the Dragon and all went smooth. On my way home I noticed that every time I hit a patch in the road or a rough seam, like at a bridge, the rear end felt like it was jetting out from under me. There were a couple time that it actaully made me grab the wheel with both hands... Now at lower speeds you don't feel anything but at highway speeds it really gets your attention... but only when hitting a bump or something. It doesn't feel like the rear is dog walking or anyting while on smooth surfaces and the car doesn't pull left or right... its just when you hit a bump and upset the suspension.

What the heck could be going on??? Is it possible the alignment is out again? Is it a sign of worn tires (I did notice the rears are starting to wear a little un even (Pilot Sports))? I'm thinking about taking it back in for another alignment check and suspension inspection but I hate to pay dealership prices... especially when it turns out to be something I can do myself.

Any thoughts / suggestions on where to start before heading back to the dealership?

Thanks,
George

 

Sounds like the alignment shop forgot to tighten a bolt or 2 in the back end. Take it back and have them double-check their work

 

The adjustment cam nuts on C5 & C6 need to be properly torqued or they will come loose and your alignment will go to hell.
Sounds just like what happened.

Examine the cams in the front and real and see if any of them are SIGNIFICANTLY different than the rest. All the cams in the same symmetrical location should be somewhat close to each other position wise. If one side is significantly different, there’s your issue.

Is also possible that something could have failed. Look at all the geometry support stuff for something out of whack.

Have the shop recheck the alignment.

BC

 

I've had this happen more than once. I always retorque all the bolts when I take the car home from the alignment shop. If any of them weren't torqued, I take it back to them and have them recheck the alignment.

 

I actually marked the alignment cams and frame with a felt pen when I got mine back so I could tell real quick if they had moved. And I also checked the torque on the bolts.
Agree you should take it back, there should be no charge!

Ron

 

Anyone have any pictures of these alignment cams so I can mark them? I'm good around the motor area but suspension is all foreign to me.

I also just made an appointment to have the alignment rechecked / corrected.

Thanks for all the insight guys,
George

 

Look at the bolts on the lower control arms. Both bolts on the front arms and the front bolts on the rear arms. There are washers that aren't centered on the bolt. Those are the cams. See how that washer is in a recess? Turn the washer in that recess and it moves the bolt in or out.

 

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...cs-inside.html

Might take a look...

 

WOW!! Outstanding post. Thank You for posting it!


Bill

 

Verified!!! Mounts are all solidly in place.... thank god.

 

Problem fixed. It was the alignment, or lack of alignment. Rear end was so far off it wouldnt even plot on the before printout. $100 later and all is well again.

 

Glad you got it all fixed up !

I went to an alignment shop to get an alignment.
An Official "GOODYEAR" shop.
A month later I heard a "clunk" from the front every time I turned right or left.

I lifted the car and found one of my lower A arm bolts just about to fall off !

I went back to the shop with the Torque specs printed out, and told them about the loose bolt. I asked them to re-do the alignment using the torque specs.

They said "torque specs are not that important". ... I'm not kidding.. that was word for word.

I raised my voice a little in the waiting room where all the other customers were.... "What do you mean torque specs are not important ??? Is'nt that why my suspension almost fell apart and crashed my car ?" "It could have killed me if I was on the highway"

I just walked out and said I'm never coming back.

Toque

 

Wait, they charged you $100 to fix their screw up???

 

I actually took it to a different dealership this time. The first attempt was at a recommended dealership that's about 65 miles away and I didnt want to take the time off to deal with it... I figured for what id spend in gas (130 miles round trip) I may as well stay local and give them a chance. I know where I'll be going from now on..

Really just glad its all fixed.