350Chris Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neilp Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 -5 degree front camber That's scary. You must be destroying tyres. -2.5 is about right for a track car. How much lower are you from standard and what coilovers are on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
350Chris Posted September 3, 2012 Author Share Posted September 3, 2012 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrnet Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docwra Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 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 If those settings are right the car wont be handling anything like it should, you want to get it fixed pronto. Different wheels dont affect alignment, the best way to check coilover height is with them unloaded and measure from the mount point to part of the coilover body Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
350Chris Posted September 3, 2012 Author Share Posted September 3, 2012 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
350Chris Posted September 3, 2012 Author Share Posted September 3, 2012 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... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docwra Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 Mmmm, not good. The printout is from a proper expensive piece of kit, youd hope they would use it properly If the camber was within limits with the Liberace tie rod it may be that its been crudely bodged to be like that which may be why they cant get it back where it should be, I still think the rear camber is too high for such a minimal drop though. tyre pressures can affect these things too, but again I cant see that all of your wheels have dodgy pressures. Id go back, tell them to read this: http://www.ehow.com/how_5099052_do-fron ... nment.html and then ask them why they didnt do it the first time, if its still not right then tell them you want your money back after taking it to somewhere that knows what they are doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilMH Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 Just me but I would cut my losses and go to Abbey or other known expert. None of this sounds right. They didn't follow the correct power steering procedure to ensure the steering wheel ended up straight and they don't appear to be offering any sort of explanation for these extensive differences - in particular for one side versus the other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
350Chris Posted September 3, 2012 Author Share Posted September 3, 2012 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
350Chris Posted September 4, 2012 Author Share Posted September 4, 2012 * 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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