350Chris

* Update 1 *

Just back from my first visit to the garage this morning and they will call me to go back when the suppliers (Hawkeye?) technician arrives.

The owner of the Garage told me that the technician is coming down today for 'some other bits' regarding the alignment system and that they will call me when he arrives, he will then set my car up.

Feeling slightly more confident and I have been on the phone to Scott at Abbey this morning who has been very helpful and has told me what I needed to know about the car and when I can get booked in with them if I needed.

An exhaust bracket or heat shield could be worth looking at - I have had a number of cars where the heat shields have caused annoying noises

Looking at the two readings that were taken - one 28/07 (left) one today (right) - the only difference being that I replaced the bent tie rod on the drivers side. I am thinking that there is something a miss with the guy that has set it up today.

Granted that the bent tie rod would throw out the caster and toe on the drivers side (as the left print out supports) the right was all within tolerances as far as camber and caster is concerned. Am I correct in thinking that the tie rod wouldn't impact the opposite side camber?

Equally, in spite of the readings that they have left me with - they should have been able to set the steering wheel straight?

Sadly, if the wheel came back off centre then they probably dont know what they are doing, I really cant see why you would have 5 degs camber one side and 2.3 on the other, certainly not from a 17mm drop. Id take it back, at the very least point out that you cant do alignment properly with the wheel off centre

This just crossed my mind whilst I was crying into the rum cupboard...I don't recall seeing anything to hold the wheel straight. There was something applying pressure to the brake pedal

I have also just found the original test sheet that they gave me when they found the bent tie rod. Camber and castor on the passenger side were within tolerance at -1.12 deg camber and 8.32 deg caster. Camber on the drivers side was green as well at that point.

So now thinking machine calibration or moneky operative. Not sure if I should go back there or go somewhere else - but I have paid them to do a job...

Worth a trip to Abbey I would think, or at least an alignment centre who can explain to you why they can't, as they say "get it to come good". Hardly fills you with confidence does it?

 

**Edit** Give Scott at Abbey a call and see if the have records of alignment problems with his car, I would think it would be in the alignment computer history.

Thanks - hadn't thought of that

I did wonder if it was user error...they gave me a marginal discount for not being able to sort it. Am going to look for another local garage to see if they get it to come up the same

Thanks Neil - that mirrors my concerns!

The car is lowered on BC coilovers - previous owner said it was 17mm all round (although the rear looks lower to me) I believe that they were fitted by Abbey but again that is based on what I was told by the previous owner (I don't have a reciept for it) so would assume the setup was done correctly.

For -5 deg camber, visially there really isn't anything obvious - and that should stand out like a sore thumb...which it really doesnt.

The front tyres (in my ownership) seem to be wearing evenly

Having fixed the bent tie rod and sorted the traction control gremlin, I have just got back from taking my car to have the alignment sorted...this is the print out that I have been left with

They have said that they could not get the camber to come good - which I suspect is mainly down to the coilovers and lack of camber adjustment available. Since having it 'fixed' the steering wheel now sits towards 1 o'clock as opposed to 12 o'clock - it was at 12 when I drove in. I have called them and told them that I want them to look at it again but am I going to get anywhere?

The alignment was done assuming 18" wheels - mine are 19" but I cannot see this making a world of difference to the machine.

What are my options here?

- Take it back as the steering wheel should be at 12 o'clock despite the camber

- Check that the coilovers are the same height at the front (how best to do this - measure to the centre of the wheel from the arch?)

- Adjustable camber arms - which should bring the castor in on the passenger side - when funds allow and accept the tyre wear risk

Any other ideas?

Cheers

Chris

It's FIXED!!!

My investigations to fix this finally took me to the oily bits...spot the problem here

Yep....offensively bent inner tie rod!

This put the steering wheel on the p1ss and upset the steering sensor for the traction control. Have replaced the inner and outer tie rods and will be taking it for a full alignment setup later this week. It feels like the car I had wanted to buy - it doesn't pull now, it doesn't fight me under breaking and it doesn't jump round corners or off round abouts.

I suspect that it was done when it was hoisted onto a trailer to be delivered to me as opposed to anything that the last owner did as the rest of the underside of the car looks fine. I can now start to enjoy the car and begin to forget the frustrations and disapointment that I have had since buying it. It now deserves the Nismo shifter that I gave it at the weekend

Could meet you half way...any excuse to give the car a run now iv fixed the traction issue

Im in EN6 with one

Will listen out for you...will be passing Watford later

May as well join the party (slightly late)

My Stillen twins tucked under a Carbon fibre rear diffuser

shifter arrived bright and early this morning - many thanks sir!

Nismo shifter paid for

Really nice spread of cars...one for the diary next year I think!

What's with the rusty looking Bimmer with the tyres on the roof?

Thats the 'Rat LoOk yO!'

Loving the front!

Can I have your old spoiler?

After the above please, anyone able to help?

(Yes I have - he is all out at the minute)

Very nice car - welcome to the fold

Yes, unless you mean like the Queen or Alan Carr?

So true

 

I either get blank/confused looks or the look of someone pretending they haven't noticed the lunatic in the other lane waving at them for no reason because they're too cool.

 

DB

Glad it's not just me - getting a gesture back is about 50/50 and not all of those gestures are delivered with quite the same intent as mine

Push the boat out....full carbon fibre Nismo V2

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nissan-350Z-N ... 6rk%3D1%26

I had something similar with a starter motor - front door was open as I was in the garden, asked the guy to put it just inside the door.

He dropped it down, starter went through the box and made a lovely hole in my wood floor - which I didn't see until I went into the house later

Thanks gents - I have one sealed and one not...will see how I get on

Saves me surfing for more Dodo or Meguires products - postman hates me at the minute!

Is the guy in the Fiesta chasing the dragon?

Very nice - really makes the setup stand out!

Sunstrip needs to find its way to a twisted sticky mass in a bin somewhere though

I found a spare clay bar at the back of my cleaning cupboard - which at a guess will have been there for a couple of years.

It has been wrapped so I am guessing it's ok?

I was told recently that car cleaning products have a shelf life of two years - which has lead me to do a bit of a stock take on the cupboard