bs alignment
05-08-2008, 08:03 PM
#1
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bs alignment
I think that the guy that did my alignment is full of ****.
I gave him FM's specs:
-Front
Caster: 5.0 degrees
Camber: 1.0 degrees negative
Toe: 1/16" total (1/32" per side)
-Rear
Camber: 1.5 degrees negative
Toe: 1/16" total (1/32" per side)
And he gave me this and said that he couldn't reach those specs:
Is this guy full of **** or is this a viable issue?
Can this be fixed with different bushings?
What is the least amount of camber that i can run with the 6UL 15x8 36mm wheels that i just ordered? My car is on FM's newer design springs with a ride height of 12.5F and 13R
I gave him FM's specs:
-Front
Caster: 5.0 degrees
Camber: 1.0 degrees negative
Toe: 1/16" total (1/32" per side)
-Rear
Camber: 1.5 degrees negative
Toe: 1/16" total (1/32" per side)
And he gave me this and said that he couldn't reach those specs:
Is this guy full of **** or is this a viable issue?
Can this be fixed with different bushings?
What is the least amount of camber that i can run with the 6UL 15x8 36mm wheels that i just ordered? My car is on FM's newer design springs with a ride height of 12.5F and 13R
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05-08-2008, 10:56 PM
#4
I would run a bit more camber, but that's just me...
You should have them set the camber to your specs and then max out whatever caster you can get, but camber first...
Fm specs are good for a street car, I would not mess with them unless you plan on tracking or auto-x'ing, then it's a whole different ballgame.
You should go elsewhere, this guy souds lazy to me.
Word of advice, have them align it with you in the driver seat or a weight in your place if they don't allow you in the shop.
You should have them set the camber to your specs and then max out whatever caster you can get, but camber first...
Fm specs are good for a street car, I would not mess with them unless you plan on tracking or auto-x'ing, then it's a whole different ballgame.
You should go elsewhere, this guy souds lazy to me.
Word of advice, have them align it with you in the driver seat or a weight in your place if they don't allow you in the shop.
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05-09-2008, 04:07 PM
#10
Boost Pope
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Sounds like he may have mis-interpreted your specs, although it's interesting how little the left front numbers changed before / after.
Because of the design of the alignment mechanism, Camber and Caster interact. If you take one out to the extreme, it limits the range of the other. It's quite possible that -1° Camber and +5 Caster might not be achievable on your car, so you need to make it clear which one of those two measurements is more important.
When discussing settings with an alignment tech, the conversation should always go something as follows:
"I want -1.5° Camber on the front, and then as much positive Caster as you can get without sacrificing Camber, and while keeping the left and right equal." I've never actually given an alignment tech an actual number for Caster, just waited for him to say "That's all I can get" then checked to see that Camber was still where i wanted it and said "Ok, that's fine."
On my car, for example, the right front wheel is the limiting factor. Nothing is obviously bent or damaged, but at -1.5° Camber, that wheel will only go to about +4 Caster, so that's what both are set at.
Because of the design of the alignment mechanism, Camber and Caster interact. If you take one out to the extreme, it limits the range of the other. It's quite possible that -1° Camber and +5 Caster might not be achievable on your car, so you need to make it clear which one of those two measurements is more important.
When discussing settings with an alignment tech, the conversation should always go something as follows:
"I want -1.5° Camber on the front, and then as much positive Caster as you can get without sacrificing Camber, and while keeping the left and right equal." I've never actually given an alignment tech an actual number for Caster, just waited for him to say "That's all I can get" then checked to see that Camber was still where i wanted it and said "Ok, that's fine."
On my car, for example, the right front wheel is the limiting factor. Nothing is obviously bent or damaged, but at -1.5° Camber, that wheel will only go to about +4 Caster, so that's what both are set at.
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05-09-2008, 10:29 PM
#13
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thank you guys for all the great input.
i had no clue that the caster and camber could affect each other.
i think i know what i want to tell the technician now.
the only problem now is just finding a good tech and shop that i can trust
i had no clue that the caster and camber could affect each other.
i think i know what i want to tell the technician now.
the only problem now is just finding a good tech and shop that i can trust
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05-09-2008, 11:31 PM
#14
Boost Pope
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Locate the autocrossers in your area. They don't have to be Miata drivers, just racers. They probably have their own forum. Ask those guys who does their alignments, or search their forum. Ideally, you'll find everybody agreeing on the same half-dozen or so shops. Pick the one nearest you.
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