Wheel Alignment Perfect; car still does not go straight

[eastla]

Had my NC wheel alignment done as car was pulling left; still does the same thing after alignment.

I am finding that it tracks slightly left particularly as I come off power.
Under full accerleration it goes pretty straight, same when just coasting.
The main problem is as I come off minimal power.
Over all though it seems to always pull very slightly to the left.
I read in another thread that it may have something to do with large amounts of camber and zero toe combination.

I have Tein Super Streets on and also Whiteline adjustable sway bars.

Any advice or guidance would be much appreciated.


Alignment Settings:

Front:
toe 0mm both sides
Camber L-2.26 r-2.25
Caster L 7.46 r 7.56


Rear
toe L 1.1mm r 1.2mm
Camber L -2.04 r -2.02

[JBT]

It probably needs a smidge (total 2mm?) of toe in at the front.

That's a helluva lot of camber on the front. I didn't think that much caster was available either.

It should track straight at all times if it's done properly.

[sliq]

does anyone know what the ideal settings for a street car would be? for an NB8B?

should all street mx5's have the same setup?

[eastla]

It probably needs a smidge (total 2mm?) of toe in at the front.

That's a helluva lot of camber on the front. I didn't think that much caster was available either.

It should track straight at all times if it's done properly.

I think that Charlie Brown runs similar settings to me.
He wrote in previous thread that it goes straight but will pretty much follow road angles.

I am trying to determine if mine is doing that or if there is a problem?

Does seem to always follow to the left though.

[Matty]

Most roads slope to the left, so with zero toe that may be the cause. (Most alignment shops stagger the caster to make it pull to the right a little to balance this for braindead drivers)

[Charlie Brown]

Eastla, you have PM

For the record JBT, I can get 2.75 negative on the front.

I'm currently running a setting very similar to eastla but with toe out on the front. Mine will follow the road camber and dive around on a rough road. Not the ideal setting if you don't track your car.

Also remember that mine is 40mm lower than standard and running adjustable Whteline sways, so these settings should NOT be used on a standard NC.

[Sasso]

If it tracks differently on power to off power sounds like a shocks problem. Are your superstreets set with the same settings both left and right? Is the spring sitting properly? Is your swaybar binding?

[eastla]

If it tracks differently on power to off power sounds like a shocks problem. Are your superstreets set with the same settings both left and right? Is the spring sitting properly? Is your swaybar binding?

I am pretty sure that the SS's are installed properly as are the Sways.
Got them done by Centreline that are known to be good.

Thanks CB for your PM's and advice.

I did some testing on several roads today and it seems to me like the car is just following road camber.
Although there is still a very minor bias to the left on most roads I did find that on right cambered roads it does go to the right.

So I think I can live with it as is.

Thanks to you all for the guidance.

[JBT]

For the record JBT, I can get 2.75 negative on the front.

I don't doubt it..........but I was surprised at the caster angles.

[MxJadeMonkey]

from my knowledge, the caster should be staggered slightly more on the left front than the right hand side, this is because our roads camber off to the left and by adding more left hand caster the car will push slightly to the left which in turn with the road camber will track straight. I looked at your caster figures and I would have them reversed if it were my car.

any thoughts guys?

[eastla]

from my knowledge, the caster should be staggered slightly more on the left front than the right hand side, this is because our roads camber off to the left and by adding more left hand caster the car will push slightly to the left which in turn with the road camber will track straight. I looked at your caster figures and I would have them reversed if it were my car.

any thoughts guys?

That is interesting.
Could someone please confirm if this is correct?

Edit:
Also MxJadeMonkey, by looking at my current alignment settings would you think that it explains why the car still pulls slightly left even on a fairly flat road with no camber?

[Sean]

Sounds similar to what Matty said.
MXJadeMonkey used to work for a suspension place, so I'm guessing he'd have a better idea than most.

[JBT]

Google Search

[Sasso]

If it tracks differently on power to off power sounds like a shocks problem. Are your superstreets set with the same settings both left and right? Is the spring sitting properly? Is your swaybar binding?

I am pretty sure that the SS's are installed properly as are the Sways.
Got them done by Centreline that are known to be good.

Never assume. Doesn't hurt to check.

[eastla]

If it tracks differently on power to off power sounds like a shocks problem. Are your superstreets set with the same settings both left and right? Is the spring sitting properly? Is your swaybar binding?

I am pretty sure that the SS's are installed properly as are the Sways.
Got them done by Centreline that are known to be good.

Never assume. Doesn't hurt to check.

You are probably right about that
Problem is that I am in SE suburbs and Centreline is approximately 1.5 hours drive from my home.
I have already travelled back there 4 or 5 times for little niggling problems with the suspension over the last month or so.
Dont really want to go back at this point.
Also, I am pretty clueless with these things myself and would not know how to check it myself.

If anyone can suggest someone local that could check things out for me that would be fantastic?