Alignment Queries

[aozora]

Hiya

Just got my car (S13 Silvia) back from a wheel alignment, however it was only a month or 2 ago since my last one but during that time, I've managed to gain almost +2 to 3 mm toe on the rears? Most of my other alignment settings remain fairly close to what they last left it with which is why I'm a bit curious as to why this might happen... bushes going perhaps?

And to note, I haven't changed anything in the rear besides change rims once. Or is this change just normal?

Old alignment for rears

- Left = +1mm

- Right = + 1,4mm

Today for rears before adjustment

- Left = +3,8mm

- Right = +4,4mm

They've since adjusted it back to about +1mm.

Also while I'm at it, I was hoping on slightly less rear camber but the max they could get it to was -1.25~

I WAS planning to lower the rear by about 5mm but that would just make my situation worse, so... would aftermarket offset bushes be sufficient or should I start looking at arms? I'm guessing Toe arms may also be needed?

Thanks in advance for any advice/suggestions/answers...!

[DaFuca]

Funny things cars, and when you read wheel alignment specs they never seem to make sence how one day they are one reading and another day they can be another reading.

Every machine will be out slightly to other machines, unless they are calabrated exactly the same way by the same person every time, so from place to place the Alignment machine might be calabrated every week and the next place it might be every 6 months, No real way of saying what one will be more acurate though.

But basically if you went to a different place for each alignment this may be one reason why it is different in readings. from the last alignment to the first reading on your second alignment. also if you drive the car hard or even hit pot holes in the road and stuff like that, that most of us cannot avoid, or even live in a suburb that thought it was a good idea to make there driveway entrances at a horrid 45% angle, then every time you hit a pot hole, or go up your driveway it could be altering your toe slightly.

Or the first place that aligned it didnt do it right and botched up a read out.

Also your bushes could be on the way out.

You can choose.

But yes alignment specs will change from place to place, from 1 month to the next depends on where and how you drive.

Edited July 28, 2006 by DaFuca

[aozora]

Thanks for the reply...

I only get them aligned at the one place. But when I compared my other values like camber for the front change .2 degrees which didn't surprise me as much as the rear toe change? I'm gonna point the finger at bushes I think <_<

[Sydneykid]

HICAS on your model?

cheers

[aozora]

No HICAS

[Sydneykid]

Hiya

Just got my car (S13 Silvia) back from a wheel alignment, however it was only a month or 2 ago since my last one but during that time, I've managed to gain almost +2 to 3 mm toe on the rears? Most of my other alignment settings remain fairly close to what they last left it with which is why I'm a bit curious as to why this might happen... bushes going perhaps?

And to note, I haven't changed anything in the rear besides change rims once. Or is this change just normal?

Old alignment for rears

- Left = +1mm

- Right = + 1,4mm

Today for rears before adjustment

- Left = +3,8mm

- Right = +4,4mm

They've since adjusted it back to about +1mm.

Also while I'm at it, I was hoping on slightly less rear camber but the max they could get it to was -1.25~

I WAS planning to lower the rear by about 5mm but that would just make my situation worse, so... would aftermarket offset bushes be sufficient or should I start looking at arms? I'm guessing Toe arms may also be needed?

Thanks in advance for any advice/suggestions/answers...!

No HICAS

Adjustable bushes will correct the camber.

Toe change is usually caused by;

1. Accident damage, hit anything lately?

2. Worm ball joints/bushes on the steering arms, I assume the aligner checked for that?

3. Loose adjuster, any sign of the lock nuts not being tightened when the last alignment was done?

cheers

Edited July 31, 2006 by Sydneykid

[siddr20]

Sk, does toe change affect the car veering to the left??

I forgot to ask ECS what my front toe is at..

(just got adjustable castor rods put in) Car is much more firm and stiffer, but at times it still veers to the left. A lot less now, but i have a feelin it could be my old tyres also..

Or do i need my radius bushes replaced??

Cheers SK..

Edited July 31, 2006 by siddr20

[DaFuca]

Try to rotate your tyres left to right and make sure the pressures are correct and if your car still veers, then you know that it is a tyre problem, but if it doesnt, then chances are your alignment might need a tweek.

[siddr20]

Just got my alignment done too.. Well i hope they did hahah..

Yea i think its just my old tyres in the fronts..

Cheers