why won't anyone align my car?
11-09-2010, 11:56 PM
#16
Three Wheelin'
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My Sears happens to have an ex-Porsche tech now and he was adamant that he 1) had to lift it and 2) could settle the suspension. They grudgingly agreed not to unload the suspension, but I agreed to his proposal that next time he would unload and lift (Hunter machines lift from the wheels, this is different in case you are unaware) for the inspection then I would take the car and drive around until I felt it had settled and they would then align.
11-10-2010, 12:08 AM
#17
Administrator - "Tyson"
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oh god, dont do that! it has been tryied by top shops with horrible results in the end. something about the bushings or design, just doesnt cut it with that technique. I had 10 years of nightmares before I figured this all out in the 90s. then, i was able to almost align my car in my driveway. (not quite , but much better than the shops were doing)
go to sears, wheel works, they have hunters. dont raise the car, you are good to go!
mk
go to sears, wheel works, they have hunters. dont raise the car, you are good to go!
mk
Jim has been aligning 928's like this for 26+ yeas (including his own 928's) with perfect results.
His his a Hunter system too.
Next time you are at Elkhart Lake you can tell Jim to his face he doesn't know what he's doing.
11-10-2010, 12:25 AM
#18
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They do not need to unload the front suspension at Sears. Don't let them.
Only reason is to inspect top bj's / looking for replacement work.
I was under the car with the Sears tech discussing this 3 weeks ago.
Only reason is to inspect top bj's / looking for replacement work.
I was under the car with the Sears tech discussing this 3 weeks ago.
11-10-2010, 12:52 AM
#19
Why would they want to unload a settled suspension?
To inspect and try to sell you more sh|t............ Only reason.
If you are happy with where your ride height is, you know the suspension parts are in good shape, then so what?
One of the important parts is making sure the rack is being centered when they align it. Most places will take a steering wheel stop, and put the steering wheel straight and then do the alignment. False, and fvck that.
Get the rack centered, then do the alignment. There is a bolt for that. The customer can get the steering wheel straight after the alignment has been done properly. Easy on both airbag and non airbag cars, just different procedures.
If a shop insists on lifting the car, then they need to measure the ride height before the alignment, and then exactly at the point of pull down. It's more time consuming for them and generally not worth their time. Takes an extra 20 minutes. To some, it's worth it to pay for something that makes them feel better about it, because they paid more. It's bull****.
To inspect and try to sell you more sh|t............ Only reason.
If you are happy with where your ride height is, you know the suspension parts are in good shape, then so what?
One of the important parts is making sure the rack is being centered when they align it. Most places will take a steering wheel stop, and put the steering wheel straight and then do the alignment. False, and fvck that.
Get the rack centered, then do the alignment. There is a bolt for that. The customer can get the steering wheel straight after the alignment has been done properly. Easy on both airbag and non airbag cars, just different procedures.
If a shop insists on lifting the car, then they need to measure the ride height before the alignment, and then exactly at the point of pull down. It's more time consuming for them and generally not worth their time. Takes an extra 20 minutes. To some, it's worth it to pay for something that makes them feel better about it, because they paid more. It's bull****.
11-10-2010, 12:56 AM
#20
Rennlist Member
I've had them pin the wheel while somebody else eyeballs the indent in the rack bolt hole.
Works if you dont have the bolt
(what is it M12 1.5 w/ point ground on end?)
Works if you dont have the bolt
(what is it M12 1.5 w/ point ground on end?)
11-10-2010, 01:03 AM
#21
Funny thing, caught our local 'trusted' Sears cutting corners. Just happened to be on Rogers GTS (like I wouldn't catch that you fugers) and raised hell 2 days later. Was soon corrected. The new GM made the argument that "there were new parts on the car"
I said, yup, had to put on another sway bar, because you guys didn't center the rack, which in turn gave 10mm more turn to the right................didnt make any difference since it was DR's sway that was too long anyway. Put on Mark Robinsons to get it to move. .
He counters that there were new shocks on the back.......no **** *******, I installed them before the alignment, I also put in new front shocks before then.
These guys love me. And they will love you when you can say they have had 30 plus cars in there because you called them to you.
11-10-2010, 01:08 AM
#23
11-10-2010, 01:15 AM
#24
Three Wheelin'
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I sent a pic of the lower control arm to Roger the Dodger, will send to you now. The tech (he actually may know whereof he speak) was also correct re: tie rods although I did not consider them an imminent problem. Was really bummed out that I had to pull the plug on Marble Falls at 2pm Friday, but I do not know what the danger is on this piece.
11-10-2010, 01:17 AM
#25
I sent a pic of the lower control arm to Roger the Dodger, will send to you now. The tech (he actually may know whereof he speak) was also correct re: tie rods although I did not consider them an imminent problem. Was really bummed out that I had to pull the plug on Marble Falls at 2pm Friday, but I do not know what the danger is on this piece.
11-10-2010, 01:22 AM
#26
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Would you believe I finally got back the (wrong) spare tire, and about 1/3 of the leftovers this Sunday?
ARRRRGGGGG!
I am determined to become my own wrench again, unless you move closer. On a good note the ac repair has worked out well.
PS- you should have the picture by now.
ARRRRGGGGG!
I am determined to become my own wrench again, unless you move closer. On a good note the ac repair has worked out well.
PS- you should have the picture by now.
11-10-2010, 01:34 AM
#27
Would you believe I finally got back the (wrong) spare tire, and about 1/3 of the leftovers this Sunday?
ARRRRGGGGG!
I am determined to become my own wrench again, unless you move closer. On a good note the ac repair has worked out well.
PS- you should have the picture by now.
ARRRRGGGGG!
I am determined to become my own wrench again, unless you move closer. On a good note the ac repair has worked out well.
PS- you should have the picture by now.
11-10-2010, 01:36 AM
#28
Ok, got the pic on the old address....................wtf am I looking at, looks like someone took an ATF **** all over your front A-arm suspension bushing?
11-10-2010, 06:14 AM
#30
Racer
Alignement can be a DIY job.
The only thing that is really difficult to determine is the caster alignment. You could determine a point where caster is the same from left to right, but you never know exactly what is the measurement.
For camber and toe, alignement is really trivial to adjust.
Puyi
The only thing that is really difficult to determine is the caster alignment. You could determine a point where caster is the same from left to right, but you never know exactly what is the measurement.
For camber and toe, alignement is really trivial to adjust.
Puyi