Alignment Issues...Should I be pissed?

[blazzin1]

So, I just recently installed new wheels, Pfadt Coilovers, and BMR Trailing Arms. I don't really care for the totally "slammed" look, so I set the ride height just a little bit below stock (but not much). I wanted to get the most out of my new set up, so I printed out Pfadt's recommended alignment settings and took my car to a supposedly reputable alignment shop here in town. I explained before leaving my car that I wanted the settings somewhere between Pfadt's "Performance Street" and "Track Use with Street Tires" settings. They seemed confident, and didn't predict having any difficulties. So I go to pick up my car today, and they tell me that there are no provisions for any Caster adjustments beyond the factory settings, and they also said that in order to achieve my desired front Camber settings they had to "DRILL OUT" the strut mounting holes (I'm assuming they mean in the front spindles) in order to make more room for adjustment. I CANNOT FREAKIN' BELIEVE THEY WOULD TAKE A G.D. DRILL TO MY $40K CAR WITHOUT EVEN A PHONE CALL OR EVEN ASKING FIRST!!!! That's what I am most pissed about!!!

They showed me pictures (after the fact) of the GM eccentric bolts that were supposedly not available anywhere here in town, and said this practice of drilling out the strut mounting holes was very common and it would cause no future problems. They also printed out and showed me pictures of Pfadt's $460 camber adjustment plates (which I was already well aware of). I also was aware of the available eccentric bolts from Pedder's too, but I was under the impression these eccentric bolts and/or camber plates were only necessary for more extreme adjustments. So, is this "drilling out" procedure a common practice??? Should I be pissed??? There's really not much I can do about it now, what's done is done, but I'm still trying to cool down about them taking a drill to my car!!!

I would really love to hear from Pfadt on this.....please!

Thanks.

[fastkevman]

Regardless if it was the right way to solve the alignment issues, they should have discussed it with you before altering any part of your car.
That's just not cool and you are justified in being pissed.

I hope this works out for you and isn't an issue, good luck.

[BackinBlackSS/RS]

WTF???

[fargomike]

Where did you go ?

[blazzin1]

Oh, BTW, here are the alignment specs that I ended up with:

F. Camber: -1.2 deg (L), -1.3 deg (R)
F. Caster: 6.2 deg (L), 6.3 deg (R)
F. Toe: 0.02 deg (L), 0.00 deg (R)

R. Camber: -0.9 deg (L), -0.9 deg (R)
R. Toe: -0.06 deg (L), -0.03 deg (R)

Does this seem alright, or is it all whacked out now?

[SUX2BU]

What were the alignment specs you wanted?They should not have had to drill out the holes to get those front camber numbers. I was slammed 1.4" and still got -1.0" camber with the stock holes.

[blazzin1]

Originally Posted by fargomike

Where did you go ?

United Automotive behind the new J.L. Beers on 13th Ave. They were recommended to me for a "performance" alignment from the guys at TintMasters. Obviously now, I would not recommend them!!

[CBRTRX]

Yea there is plenty of camber adjustment in the front of these cars, they shouldn't have needed to drill anything. Also you should have more camber in the front then the back, according to your specs you posted they did it opposite.

[Capthowdy]

They really did not drill...just more of widening of the slots that are already there...and yes it is a common practice if done correctly....meaning not overdoing it and making the hloes to large..

[blazzin1]

Oooops! I accidentally put the "before" numbers in my post above!! It's fixed now.

[BMR guy]

They wouldn't have messed with the spindles, what they did was elongate the slots in the strut where they attach to the spindle. This is common practice in strut vehicles and most shops will not even think twice about doing it to get the proper specs. Some cars don't have adjustment and this is the only way to get camber adjustability. The OE strut manufacturers design the mounts with enough meat in this area specifically for this. Alignment guides even give instruction to this in most applications. That being said, there is a difference in slotting a $80 OE strut and slotting a $2k coil over without asking. I don't have personal experience with the Pfadts coil-overs but I am sure they designed them to provide sufficient camber adjustment for the ride height capabilities of their coil-over...

[blazzin1]

Originally Posted by BMR guy

They wouldn't have messed with the spindles, what they did was elongate the slots in the strut where they attach to the spindle. This is common practice in strut vehicles and most shops will not even think twice about doing it to get the proper specs. Some cars don't have adjustment and this is the only way to get camber adjustability. The OE strut manufacturers design the mounts with enough meat in this area specifically for this. Alignment guides even give instruction to this in most applications. That being said, there is a difference in slotting a $80 OE strut and slotting a $2k coil over without asking. I don't have personal experience with the Pfadts coil-overs but I am sure they designed them to provide sufficient camber adjustment for the ride height capabilities of their coil-over...

Thanks for the explanation BMR Guy. I must have had the "before" numbers in that previous post when you first read it, it's fixed now, and the front Camber reading are more in line with what I requested. But now I'm even more pissed that they would elongate the holes on my $2100 Coilovers without asking!!! I'm just so shocked that they would not even call me first. I don't know what the heck I can do about it now?!?!? Any suggestions, or just deal with it???

[camaro4mybday]

speak to a manager, or owner, it is not right that they did this, companies like pfadt, pedders and the others design the struts with aligment in mind there is deffinitly enough room there id say he needs to make good onit

[Capthowdy]

I am sure they did not even know that you had coilovers on her...they just assumed that they were the stock shocks and went to grinding....DOH!....