Just got an alignment, how does it look?

[agent47]

I installed swift sport springs Thursday and just got my alignment done at the dealership today. The only thing that's out of spec is the rear camber (which I expected). Before the alignment I told the service rep that I wanted more camber in the front. After they completed the alignment he called me to tell me that the tech would not go out of stock spec. My question is will I notice much of a difference? I'm assuming the rear will have more traction and possibly lead to more understeer? Let me know what you think, thanks!

[cjd]

That's a half degree difference in camber up front - seems pretty excessive to me. I've also always seen recommendations to have more camber up front than in back, though without a means of adjusting on either end you're limited; bolts help up front, but back is probably LCA's.

I'd take it to a shop that will align to your spec.

[tahdizzle]

Its not a performance shop obviously. The tech saw the green and then said "That'll be $125 please."

[agent47]

Yea kind of what I figured, for $89 I'll take it. Eventually I'll find the info for the performance shop that aligned my s2k about 6 years ago.

[tahdizzle]

well at least it wasn't 125 :p

[stugray]

I'd say you want more camber in the front (usually more in the front than the rear), more toe in the front, zero toe in the rear.
But that's just my SWAG.

[agent47]

Thanks for the input. I'm going to do an autocross event two weeks from now and will see what it's tendencies are.

[blue cat]

if i'm reading that correctly the only thing they fixed was the front toe? not going past factory spec is a lazy excuse, take it to a performance shop. i went to a regular tire shop for my first alignment and it was pretty much a waste of time, performance shop will actually put in the effort to get you dialled in properly.

Do you have camber adjustability up front with just factory suspenion and springs? You'll want to try some more neg camber up front too, probably -1.5 to -2.0 off the bat, but considering you have over -2.0 on the rear then all the more reason to add camber

[Griever423]

It honestly doesn't matter as long as it's factory spec. I used to agonize over the camber in my STi not being equal on both sides and wanting 'x' amount of camber and honestly, unless you're fully adjustable in front and rear and are severly lowered it's not a big deal. If this is a daily street car it seriously doesnt matter.

[agent47]

Originally Posted by blue cat

if i'm reading that correctly the only thing they fixed was the front toe? not going past factory spec is a lazy excuse, take it to a performance shop. i went to a regular tire shop for my first alignment and it was pretty much a waste of time, performance shop will actually put in the effort to get you dialled in properly.

Do you have camber adjustability up front with just factory suspenion and springs? You'll want to try some more neg camber up front too, probably -1.5 to -2.0 off the bat, but considering you have over -2.0 on the rear then all the more reason to add camber

Right now I only have stock adjustability so when I do take it to a performance shop I'll probably change out the factory camber bolts to make it worth it.

[BRZZZZZZZZZZ]

"Set the toe, and collect the dough!"

[7thgear]

that is a horrible alignment.


You could achieve similar results with some string and laminate cards. I would complain.


at the very least they could have achieved 0 toe front and equal toe in at the rear. The way the car is setup you'll notice it drifting to the left when you let go of the wheel.


The tech is lazy and incompetent, period.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by agent47

Right now I only have stock adjustability so when I do take it to a performance shop I'll probably change out the factory camber bolts to make it worth it.

You don't have any camber adjustability (there is none stock), so the tech could not do anything other than adjust toe. The tech isn't completely to blame, but he should have told you.

Get some factory camber bolts at least.

- Andy

[tahdizzle]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

that is a horrible alignment.


You could achieve similar results with some string and laminate cards. I would complain.


at the very least they could have achieved 0 toe front and equal toe in at the rear. The way the car is setup you'll notice it drifting to the left when you let go of the wheel.


The tech is lazy and incompetent, period.

Exactly, I have no idea how that got a when it doesn't even track straight.