NA6 - Dodgy wheel alignment?

[gobsmax]

Hello fellow formites!

I took my NA down to the local tyre place about a month ago to swap over my rims and tyres.

The tyres were rotated, balanced and I got a two wheel alignment (fronts).

The ride is alot smoother at high speeds, but when I turn at almost full lock, the steering kinda snaps in that direction, like its going into a "gutter".

Visually inspecting the tyres when they were off the car, they did have some uneven inside wear. And it did vary depending on which tyre you looked at or felt. Maybe i'm just imaganing it.

At the time of the wheel alignment, the tyre dude said that the rears were way out and possibly due to a broken shock?

I've posted the alignment test report below. Does the alignment seem correct to you guys? I'm thinking of taking it to Heasman's or Spinning Wheel before June trackday @ Wakefield.

[StanTheMan]

unless i'm interpreting the chart incorrectly its all over the place.

virtually no camber on the right front but -1,68 on the left
similar sort of thing with the rear.
you have a massive difference on the left. Unless he's tried to compensate setting for your weight. You are a reasonable big bloke but I doubt it would make that much difference once you sit in the car.

He's dialed toe in. which makes it very stable on freeways. It just sits there. Nice & stable
I personally prefer Toe out on the front. It becomes more darty at high speeds & turn in is much more responsive on the twisties however tyre wear is increased. Its a personal preference......each to their own.

the bigger the difference in camber is between front & back will the more under steer you will notice.

clear as mud?

I also always have a 4 wheel allignment.

there is a thread where Charlie Brown & CT explain a lot of this. it doesn't appear to be a sticky.....
might be a good idea to have a read of it. Its extremely informative

I'd definitely be seeing Heasmans....

[bigdog]

Shock, broken or not can't affect the wheel alignment - the wheels are located by the upper and lower wishbones not the shock. Always get a 4 wheel alignment done. Ask your tyre service for a refund - they haven't 'aligned' anything. Go to Heasmans or Spinning Wheel and get it done properly, and don't leave it until the week before wakefield, do it asap as your car is seriously out of alignment, esp the rear toe which is crucial to getting around corners under control - toe out on the rear is nasty.

[gobsmax]

Thanks for your replies guys

Spinning Wheels have quoted $88, still waiting on Heasmans reply.

[philz]

Try Peter at road and race performance in rydalmere, should be around $100 for all 4 corners but it's a really good job.

He can also check if there is anything bent.

[Hammer]

...Spinning Wheels have quoted $88...

Hi Alan

I took my NA there early this year after my first track day in Feb. This came from the recommendations of fellow forumites. I simply told Stu that I'd like it configured 50/50 [road and track].

When David [of MX5 Mania] drove it last week during the "Speed of the street" day @ Wakefield, he commented how neutral the handling of my NA was [despite my crappy tires - my opinion]. Apart from an awesome chassis, this is down to a great wheel alignment.

Stu of Spinning Wheels, do a bit of grass roots motorsports too, so I get the impression he gets what I want from the car. His suggestions and tips don't go astray either.

So at this point, I can't recommend them highly enough.

[gobsmax]

Heasmans quoted $44 per end, front/back

[gobsmax]

So I decided on Spinning wheels due to their more advanced equipment, only to find that Stu is on holidays. Instead Elias will be working on my car. Now I'm having second thoughts. Its just that Stu's name has been mentioned various times praising his work. Am I being pedantic?

[Szemen]

When is Stu coming back form holidays?? I need alignment done as well!

[Okibi]

Here's mine from last week, the NA6 was lowered when I got her but now she's riding high on NB shocks/springs.

[Garry]

I think Stu is back on Tuesday. I was going to get my alignment done last week but decided to wait till he gets back.

[gobsmax]

So I decided to bite the bullet and take it to Spinning Wheels anyways. Spoke to Elias before working on the car, explaining that I will be doing about one track day every quarter. Mentioned the alignment specs as per CB's post. He spent about 15 minutes on the car, took it for a quick spin and I was outta there in half an hour.

Car is alot firmer on the road, and turn in feels much more controlled. So much better to drive without the over-steer.



Helpful link understanding wheel alignments - http://www.familycar.com/Alignment.htm

[Guran]

Looks good in terms of camber and toe. But what's up with the caster? Looks a bit uneven left/right.

[Charlie Brown]

I agree with Guran, he should have tried to match your castor if your preference is weighted for the track. I think what he's done is to allow for straight tracking on surburban roads that have a crown in the middle and fall away to the sides.

If Stu had done the alignment your negative camber would have been greater on the driver's side to allow for your weight, both front and rear by about 0.3 of a degree.

Luckily Spinning Wheel have a policy that if you're not satisfied you take it back and they will adjust it again.