Any alignment experts out there?
#1
Any alignment experts out there?
Hello, I recently purchased a 2006 G35 coupe and replaced some of the suspension parts-
Front and rear struts/shocks and mounts
Front Upper control arms
Front Outer tie rods
Front Lower ball joints
Front Wheel bearings
When I replaced the outer tie rods I counted approximately 14 turns to get it off on one side, but about 20(!) on the other. I put it back together the way it came off and now the steering wheel is just barely off centered. I must have not been accurate enough.
Anyway, I took the car to get an alignment today and explained my entire situation to the mechanic. About an hour later he was done but said he could not adjust the front right caster because I must have installed the strut assembly wrong, and the only way to fix this is by removing the assembly and reinstalling it. I followed the FSM when I replaced the struts so I can't understand how I could have installed it wrong.
Does anybody have the knowledge to tell me if this alignment is acceptable or not? (I hope the photo of the before/after is shown)
Should I worry about the front right caster?
Thanks in advance.
Front and rear struts/shocks and mounts
Front Upper control arms
Front Outer tie rods
Front Lower ball joints
Front Wheel bearings
When I replaced the outer tie rods I counted approximately 14 turns to get it off on one side, but about 20(!) on the other. I put it back together the way it came off and now the steering wheel is just barely off centered. I must have not been accurate enough.
Anyway, I took the car to get an alignment today and explained my entire situation to the mechanic. About an hour later he was done but said he could not adjust the front right caster because I must have installed the strut assembly wrong, and the only way to fix this is by removing the assembly and reinstalling it. I followed the FSM when I replaced the struts so I can't understand how I could have installed it wrong.
Does anybody have the knowledge to tell me if this alignment is acceptable or not? (I hope the photo of the before/after is shown)
Should I worry about the front right caster?
Thanks in advance.
Last edited by O6G; 03-26-2018 at 08:07 PM.
#2
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#3
This is the second report I got.
Last edited by O6G; 04-02-2018 at 09:24 PM.
#4
Your caster is only affected by how straight your suspension lines up to the frame of the car. In this case there are two possibilities:
1: your frame is bent and your car is basically totalled.
2: the one part that connects our suspension to the frame is bad: your compression rod bushings.
It's number two.
1: your frame is bent and your car is basically totalled.
2: the one part that connects our suspension to the frame is bad: your compression rod bushings.
It's number two.
#5
Your caster is only affected by how straight your suspension lines up to the frame of the car. In this case there are two possibilities:
1: your frame is bent and your car is basically totalled.
2: the one part that connects our suspension to the frame is bad: your compression rod bushings.
It's number two.
1: your frame is bent and your car is basically totalled.
2: the one part that connects our suspension to the frame is bad: your compression rod bushings.
It's number two.
#6
If that's the case I guess the mechanic was wrong about the struts. I inspected the compression rod bushings when I replaced the suspension parts and they looked undamaged and centered by eye. Since they're known for failure they are on my to do list now, before I get another alignment. Thanks Rock
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O6G (04-05-2018)
#7
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#9
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Front and rear cameras, tire pressure for all four tires can display on screen,folding side view mir
Once you are established as a good customer you are much less likely to get ripped off like some posters that only visit a dealer when they are desperate. Then they wonder why some call it a "stealership". There are some undesirable customers the dealer would rather go to Firestone. (I'm not inferring you are but there are some posters that are)
Telcoman
#10
#11
Just so you know, if yer in CA, businesses are no longer allowed to sell lifetime alignments (previous buyers can still own theirs), so most places do 3 and 5 yr alignments. Most of those places won't adjust your aftermarket camber parts tho, so I highly suggest learning to do it yourself if you're interested at all. It's quite easy.
Of course if you just learn how to do the camber part, you can set that yourself and then take it to your lifetime/multi year alignment place and let them set yer toe with their laser beams.
Of course if you just learn how to do the camber part, you can set that yourself and then take it to your lifetime/multi year alignment place and let them set yer toe with their laser beams.
#13
Really? Maybe that dude was lying to me. Cuz I have a lifetime with Evans tires and last time I went in there I saw that they had 3 and 5 yr ones and are no longer allowed to sell lifetimes. Maybe it's a company policy, but I coulda swore he said it was a law.
Well, either way, those big chain ones usually won't touch your aftermarket parts. I've only gotten them to do it once.
Well, either way, those big chain ones usually won't touch your aftermarket parts. I've only gotten them to do it once.
#14
And that is why I purchase my tires at the dealer when they have a buy 3 and get the fourth tire free. The alignment and balance is always perfect.
Once you are established as a good customer you are much less likely to get ripped off like some posters that only visit a dealer when they are desperate. Then they wonder why some call it a "stealership". There are some undesirable customers the dealer would rather go to Firestone. (I'm not inferring you are but there are some posters that are)
Telcoman
Once you are established as a good customer you are much less likely to get ripped off like some posters that only visit a dealer when they are desperate. Then they wonder why some call it a "stealership". There are some undesirable customers the dealer would rather go to Firestone. (I'm not inferring you are but there are some posters that are)
Telcoman