Weird alignment problem?

[sexyslidez33]

Originally Posted by mrhayes1

I hate being that guy that asks questions that are no longer relevant, but why did you buy that car? I hope you got a good deal knowing it was wrecked or something. If you bought it from a dealer (which I highly doubt) I would highly recommend you try to take it back per lemon law regulations.

Anyway, my advice is take to a reputable shop for a thorough inspection and alignment. If a car was badly wrecked, the alignment shop will likely have difficulty doing the alignment and should know something is up and will give you an idea of what is damaged. If a car was in a fairly serious accident, every suspension component could be at least somewhat bent or damaged. I would befriend the alignment guy/shop and see if you can take a peek under the car when they do the alignment/put on lift. It is much easier to look at the bottom of a car and see what's what when it is 5 feet off the ground. Good luck.

And for the record, not sure why people are even suggesting using string and a tape measure for checking alignment. I mean, I don't necessarily doubt that it can be accurately done but you would certainly need to know what you are doing for that process.

Well the car was $6000 for a 50,000 mileage car. Straight body and frame, other than the bent suspension components. Shouldn’t be a huge problem to fix I was just a bit shocked that when I replaced the rear lower control arm that I didn’t know it would affect the steering wheel orientation as it corrected prior to the installation.

On a slight update, I adjusted the camber on the rear arms to the middle setting and the car tracks much better and is actually drive able to the alignment shop.

[Tokay444]

You don't need a laser rack to get a dead perfect alignment.
A laser rack is so any oil change monkey to align a car while the pan is draining.

[cjd]

Originally Posted by mrhayes1

And for the record, not sure why people are even suggesting using string and a tape measure for checking alignment. I mean, I don't necessarily doubt that it can be accurately done but you would certainly need to know what you are doing for that process.

For starters, you need an actual level surface...

I'm glad I do my own right now, but the car has been in process for over a week. Think the dust from the car made me feel like crap. Not that I'll be driving any time soon anyway... It always takes me hours to corner balance and align. I don't recommend it.

C

[mrhayes1]

I would wear my wife panties and do dishes before spending hours in the garage trying to do an alignment with string and a tape measure. Sounds like a job that requires a lot of crystal meth.

[Tokay444]

It's really REALLY not that bad.

[Grady]

Originally Posted by cjd

For starters, you need an actual level surface...
C

Flat is more important than level.

[cjd]

Originally Posted by Grady

Flat is more important than level.

Ha. I read the first bit of my comment and thought the same thing. Absolutely right.