Another alignment question/issue thread

[tples69]

Finally have all my parts installed:

1. BMR Trailing Arms
2. BMR Adj Toe rod arms
3. Pfadt sway bars (rear disconnected waiting for new Pfadt end-links to arrive.)
4. Pfadt springs

Had an alignment done on Saturday but they couldn't get the right rear wheel into the Pfadt specs (Performance Street).

Final specs after alignment:

Front left - Camber -.8` Caster 5.9` Toe .07 inch.
Front right - Camber -.6` Caster 6.2` Toe .05 inch.
Left rear - Camber -.1`Toe .01 inch.
Right rear - Camber -1.4` Toe .08 inch.

Front cross camber = -.2` cross caster = -.4` total toe .12 inch.
Rear cross camber = 1.3` total toe .09 inch thrust angle -.07`

Turns out it appears I need a new driver rear hub and bearing. Car pulls lightly to the right still. Tech told me they are out of adjustments to get the right rear into spec and that if I got adjustable lower control arms they could make it spec out.

Does this make sense? I felt I paid too much for too little for this alignment ($200+).

Thanks.

[nuptualnemesis]

Firestone and several others sell lifetime alignments for less than $200.00.

[tples69]

Ya... I was limping hard and BARELY made it to Midas for this... I was SERIOUSLY out of alignment in the rear due to mass change in rear suspension parts.

I will work these guys to have them re-do it if the rear adj control arms is the answer.

From the specs shown about what should I expect as far as handling, tire wear, etc.? Is it anything to worry about in the short term while waiting for the adj. control arms?

Thanks.

[PfadtRacing]

Originally Posted by tples69

Finally have all my parts installed:

1. BMR Trailing Arms
2. BMR Adj Toe rod arms
3. Pfadt sway bars (rear disconnected waiting for new Pfadt end-links to arrive.)
4. Pfadt springs

Had an alignment done on Saturday but they couldn't get the right rear wheel into the Pfadt specs (Performance Street).

Final specs after alignment:

Front left - Camber -.8` Caster 5.9` Toe .07 inch.
Front right - Camber -.6` Caster 6.2` Toe .05 inch.
Left rear - Camber -.1`Toe .01 inch.
Right rear - Camber -1.4` Toe .08 inch.

Front cross camber = -.2` cross caster = -.4` total toe .12 inch.
Rear cross camber = 1.3` total toe .09 inch thrust angle -.07`

Turns out it appears I need a new driver rear hub and bearing. Car pulls lightly to the right still. Tech told me they are out of adjustments to get the right rear into spec and that if I got adjustable lower control arms they could make it spec out.

Does this make sense? I felt I paid too much for too little for this alignment ($200+).

Thanks.

Hi tples69, is there a reason why they couldn't get any of the wheels into the specs we recommend? It looks like every wheel wound up outside the specs, not just the left rear. What was the reason they gave you for all the other wheels? Just curious.

[tples69]

No real answers. They were hurried I think is the reason.

[Bruce@raymondsperformance]

We find this quite often.When dealing with the chain stores,if they are lucky enough to have a good tech when you are there you will have good results but more times than not it comes out like this.You can give them another shot but I would find a local alignment shop that knows what they are doing.From the settings on your car you should be able to get alot closer than what it is.The front camber is oposite what it should be,the caster is not adjustable from the factory and if the rear camber is that far off maybe they should look at the rear cradle position.That would explain the higher camber on one side and lower camber on the other if they are out of adjustment.

[toehead93]

I once paid $100 for a lifetime alignment. One payment for unlimited alignments at Firestone. But like Raymo1 mentioned they were never spot on.

[PfadtRacing]

Originally Posted by raymo1

We find this quite often.When dealing with the chain stores,if they are lucky enough to have a good tech when you are there you will have good results but more times than not it comes out like this.You can give them another shot but I would find a local alignment shop that knows what they are doing.From the settings on your car you should be able to get alot closer than what it is...

I second this opinion. That just seems a little too far out to be acceptable in my opinion.

[tples69]

Easier said then done... SO many shops here in Chicago.. How does one find one without giving each and every one $100-$200 a pop until you find one?

Any recommendations for a shop in the western or northwester burbs?

[PQ]

You're so right. They can all BS you to think they are good at what they do. If I knew enough to see through all the BS then I'd allign the damn thing myself.

200.00? What did you do, bring it down here to my dealer.

My dealer wanted 380.00

I took it to big ten tires and he said I wasn't far off and told me to drive it for a month then align it.

But mine drives straight as an arrow and he said I'm not too far off.

I was supposed to take it last thursday to the other Chevy place but it's so hard for me to make time.

[PfadtRacing]

Originally Posted by tples69

Easier said then done... SO many shops here in Chicago.. How does one find one without giving each and every one $100-$200 a pop until you find one?

Any recommendations for a shop in the western or northwester burbs?

Actually, yes, I do.

I appears as though Fall Line Motorsports is only ~30mins away from you. Here is their info:

Fall Line Motorsports
1801 Holste Rd.
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 480-9804
http://www.fall-linemotorsports.com/


We have developed a relationship with them through racing, and our Corvette products. We highly recommend them!

[BMR guy]

Originally Posted by tples69

Easier said then done... SO many shops here in Chicago.. How does one find one without giving each and every one $100-$200 a pop until you find one?

Any recommendations for a shop in the western or northwester burbs?

If any of the above recommendations don't work out for you we have one of our distributors (SPEED Inc.) in your area. I don't think they do alignments at their location but they do a lot of high end builds and have got to have someone locally that they use and can recommend....

[tples69]

Thanks... I know Speed Inc as they did some work on my old 69 Pro-Touring Camaro.

QQ... If my rear cradle position is off what is the process to get it back in spec? I suspect this may be the case as it is well documented I hit a curb at about 20 mph with both driver side wheels simultaneously. After replacing the driver rear hub last night I believe all parts that needed replacing have been and now the car pulls slightly to the right. Gonna give them a shot to re-align it once my Pfadt end links show up and get installed.

[PfadtRacing]

Originally Posted by tples69

Thanks... I know Speed Inc as they did some work on my old 69 Pro-Touring Camaro.

QQ... If my rear cradle position is off what is the process to get it back in spec? I suspect this may be the case as it is well documented I hit a curb at about 20 mph with both driver side wheels simultaneously. After replacing the driver rear hub last night I believe all parts that needed replacing have been and now the car pulls slightly to the right. Gonna give them a shot to re-align it once my Pfadt end links show up and get installed.

tples69, a great person to talk to at Fall Line is Tim, if it doesn't work out at Speed Inc. Sounds like either of them will do a great job. Please keep us updated on the project!