Alignment Problems
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 108
Likes: 16
From: El Dorado Hills CA
Alignment Problems
What do you make of this? 
At around 6,000 miles, I brought my 2011 GS to the dealer to check out the server tire where on the right front tire. The wear bars were getting close. The dealer said it is not covered by warranty because I could have hit a pot hole that could knock it out of alignment. Realizing it would not get me anywhere to argue I left.
At 6,752 miles, I took in for an alignment at a tire/alignment shop. The first image is the results. Recently, I was feeling there was something not right with the alignment, and since I bought a 3 year, unlimited alignment when I took it in the first time, I thought I would have it aligned again last weekend at 9,750 miles (4.5 months later). See the second image.
Notice the similar before toe measurements in the front at both alignments. While the rear alignment hardly changed.
At around 6,000 miles, I brought my 2011 GS to the dealer to check out the server tire where on the right front tire. The wear bars were getting close. The dealer said it is not covered by warranty because I could have hit a pot hole that could knock it out of alignment. Realizing it would not get me anywhere to argue I left.
At 6,752 miles, I took in for an alignment at a tire/alignment shop. The first image is the results. Recently, I was feeling there was something not right with the alignment, and since I bought a 3 year, unlimited alignment when I took it in the first time, I thought I would have it aligned again last weekend at 9,750 miles (4.5 months later). See the second image.
Notice the similar before toe measurements in the front at both alignments. While the rear alignment hardly changed.
- Any ideas on what is happening here?
- Why would the alignment go out so quickly?
- Could there be some defective suspension part(s)?
- Should I take this back to the dealer?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,024
Likes: 13
From: Loveland CO to Central Coast CA
I don't have an answer for you. But maybe these alignment spec's will help:
http://www.pfadtracing.com/blog/wp-c...-alignment.pdf
http://www.pfadtracing.com/blog/wp-c...-alignment.pdf
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,667
Likes: 159
It's unfortunate, but there are literally hundreds of posts (if you do one on "grand sport alignment") that describe your issue about the factory settings causing a faster tire wear rate, due to it being too aggressive for normal street driving.I had mine changed to the above mentioned settings with about 300 miles on the car, and I got over 14k from my 1st set of tires (Goodyear GEN2's), and now have 10k on the 2nd set (Bridgestones), and they show no visible tire wear (I'm sure they have worn, but not much).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 891
Likes: 18
From: Dayton Ohio
Most alignment shops just make their adjustments on the rack and lock it down. They should make adjustments, lock it in, move it off the rack and drive it around the parking lot once then put it back on the rack and measure it again. It is a possibility this could be the problem but is not likely considering the severity of the toe.
If I were you, I would considering taking your prints of the alignments to another dealer and have the suspension checked under warranty. There may be a defective bushing or something. The first dealer is BSing you. If you bent something by hitting a pothole, there would be noticeable damage to something.
Matt
If I were you, I would considering taking your prints of the alignments to another dealer and have the suspension checked under warranty. There may be a defective bushing or something. The first dealer is BSing you. If you bent something by hitting a pothole, there would be noticeable damage to something.
Matt
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 170
Likes: 2
From: Granger Indiana
It is critical that all the nuts and bolts that were loosened during the alignment, be tightened to the correct torque when completed. Looking at your completed alignment at 6752 miles and then the before measurement at 9900 miles, it makes me wonder if a nut on your tie rod might have worked loose to cause such a dramatic increase in your toe setting. Other than that, is there a possibility that someone else drove your car and hit a pot hole?
Ps In the future if you decide not to use the Pfadt specifications as suggested, the settings you had from the completed alignment at 6752 miles should give you very good tire wear, while sacrificing some minor performance.
Ps In the future if you decide not to use the Pfadt specifications as suggested, the settings you had from the completed alignment at 6752 miles should give you very good tire wear, while sacrificing some minor performance.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 108
Likes: 16
From: El Dorado Hills CA
I'm the only driver. (My wife for some reason has not wanted to... Go figure.)
I was thinking about taking it to another dealer with the alignment sheets. I'll let you all know how that works out.
I was thinking about taking it to another dealer with the alignment sheets. I'll let you all know how that works out.
