Alignment

[matt9]

Just had prokits installed on my car and am required to get an alignment ~2 weeks after spring installation.

I have been recommended to a couple places in Toronto by various people, all around ~$100. Since I plan on going for an oil change at Mazda coming up, I decided to ask their price just to get an idea. If it was about the same price, then I might as well do it there. Turns out its about $100 as well, but they said they can't align lowered cars because all of their equipment are calibrated to Mazda specs which is no longer necessarily suitable for my car. How then are other people aligning cars and saying they are given printouts comparing to Mazda specs blah blah?

What am i missing?

[Fuman]

rear camber is not adjustable, maybe thats why they won't do it.

[S.F.W.]

that's what I was told by Mazda back when I first got my pro kits. Because I didn't have a rear camber kit, they couldn't adjust the rear.

[matt9]

So then what would going to another place be doing for me?

[dentinger]

you cant adjsut the rear camber. period.

unless you buy the camber kit.

[matt9]

you cant adjsut the rear camber. period.

unless you buy the camber kit.

OK.. thats fine, but then what are they doing exactly when I get it "aligned" and why won't Mazda do it then like they would?

[Fuman]

OK.. thats fine, but then what are they doing exactly when I get it "aligned" and why won't Mazda do it then like they would?

front camber
fixing the toe as well.

[Dragazn]

so if you don't have a camber kit and you do the alignment, will they still be able to tell you if you need a camber kit in the back afterwards?

[S.F.W.]

so if you don't have a camber kit and you do the alignment, will they still be able to tell you if you need a camber kit in the back afterwards?

yes, they can still measure your camber, just not correct the issue.

[M3!]

Go to Scarborough Mazda they will do alignments on lowered cars.

[matt9]

How do they even do it? What are they measuring and how do they get it "right"?

[nicker]

another quick question on this issue (don't mean to hi jack) But Im just recent lowered on Pro Kits aswell. Im looking to go to an alignment soon too. But I was told to see if you can grab some different wheels. I have aftermarket wheels and was told that the equipment will damage the lip on the wheels.

So what did most do to combat this?

[Fuman]

How do they even do it? What are they measuring and how do they get it "right"?
google.....
http://www.familycar.com/alignment.htm

[matt9]

I don't want to get it done with my rims now if they have a chance of damaging them?

[S.F.W.]

I've never heard of an alignment shop damaging a customers rims.

[KenYork]

yes, they can still measure your camber, just not correct the issue.

But if your camber is within a certain spec. they can still adjust it even if you're lowered.. can't they?

[doughboyr6]

i don't know about damaging, but i know the laser alignment tool is directly mounted to the lip of the wheel. Whether it leaves scratch marks or not, i can't say.

[matt9]

Ok, so as I mentioned earlier, I was told that I should do a wheel alignment after installing springs. Two weeks after install, the car was driving great. Even at fast highway speeds, the car was staying straight etc.

So I wonder, do I even need a wheel alignment? Well, I got one anyways, and of course some of my numbers are slightly out of spec and now they are good, but now my car drifts to the left when I'm driving fast. Its subtle, but noticeable. I can't be sure, but it 'feels' worse than before the alignment.

So someone who knows more about this than me, if the car drives fast, what's the point in alignment. Sure they say: "It will prevent your tires from wearing out so fast" but a set of tires are only ~$550 and I'll probably keep them on 3-4 years. Why am I paying $80 for an alignment (and recommended to get one each year!?) How much is this "helping" me keep my tires for 3-4 years!? I'd almost rather have the tires last 1 year less and buy new tires than have to pay $80 each of the years.. Of course, sometimes alignment would be critical if there is something seriously wrong..

[Flagrum_3]

Ok, so as I mentioned earlier, I was told that I should do a wheel alignment after installing springs. Two weeks after install, the car was driving great. Even at fast highway speeds, the car was staying straight etc.

So I wonder, do I even need a wheel alignment? Well, I got one anyways, and of course some of my numbers are slightly out of spec and now they are good, but now my car drifts to the left when I'm driving fast. Its subtle, but noticeable. I can't be sure, but it 'feels' worse than before the alignment.

So someone who knows more about this than me, if the car drives fast, what's the point in alignment. Sure they say: "It will prevent your tires from wearing out so fast" but a set of tires are only ~$550 and I'll probably keep them on 3-4 years. Why am I paying $80 for an alignment (and recommended to get one each year!?) How much is this "helping" me keep my tires for 3-4 years!? I'd almost rather have the tires last 1 year less and buy new tires than have to pay $80 each of the years.. Of course, sometimes alignment would be critical if there is something seriously wrong..

Who told you or recommended an alignment is necessary every year?

Its simply not true in most cases...Preventatively, you might want to do it every 2-3 years but only if you suspect its out, i.e; pulling or uneven tire wear etc; otherwise you should never need to for the life of the tires.I'd like to add though, that with the condition of the roads lately, potholes everywhere, uneven surfaces etc; it can knock the alignment out and just enough that you can't notice it till or if your lucky enough to spot the uneven wear on your tires before its too late.


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[matt9]

Well I don't know what is normal. If I am driving at 100km/hr on the highway and I have my steering wheel perfectly straight and driving straight, should the car remain straight? Mine drifts to the left now. Not to fast, but to the point that I would have to correct it in ~3 seconds.

[Flagrum_3]

Well I don't know what is normal. If I am driving at 100km/hr on the highway and I have my steering wheel perfectly straight and driving straight, should the car remain straight? Mine drifts to the left now. Not to fast, but to the point that I would have to correct it in ~3 seconds.

If your not happy with the results of the alignment then take it back and tell them its wandering now whereas it wasn't before. I would ask to have it re-checked...I believe most alignment places give a 30 or 90 day warranty on their work.


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[allen@simplytire.com]

His suspension came apart, it should have an allignment... isin't that the rule of thumb? no matter how straight the car drives, it could be out of spec... especially with toe-in, he wouldn't necessarily feel that... but it would wear out his tires and maybe worsen his fuel consumption... (resistance)

I'm not a suspension expert by no means, but I know that whenever a car is lowered, it should atleast get an allignment in the front....

[Flagrum_3]

His suspension came apart, it should have an allignment... isin't that the rule of thumb? no matter how straight the car drives, it could be out of spec... especially with toe-in, he wouldn't necessarily feel that... but it would wear out his tires and maybe worsen his fuel consumption... (resistance)

I'm not a suspension expert by no means, but I know that whenever a car is lowered, it should atleast get an allignment in the front....

I think its "the norm" for most here that a 4-wheel alignment is necessary after a drop, thats not the issue.He has had the alignment done but now finds the car wandering, whereas before the alignment it wasn't.....but it's actually quite simple; he should just take it back and get it re-aligned....people do make mistakes so its quite possible the technician was having a bad day and screwed up...Matt make sure your gas tank is at full and there is nothing of substantial weight in the vehicle and that the tire pressures are all even when you get it re-checked....that is what the shop manual calls for on our 3s.


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