Ok, alignment done this morning. Far from the typical Dann comment (as usual!).... "alignment technicians don't give a sh*t" Dave at Sunshine Steering in Palmwoods (Qld.) was happy to look at Charlie Brown's recommendation, though I made it clear I respected his 30+ years of experience . Dave took almost an hour with sophisticated- looking electronic alignment gear and cost was $85
Settings BEFORE were; Front Toe mm L. -1.4 R.-.1
Camber deg. L. -0*05 R. -0*10
Caster deg. +5*05 R +4*35
Rear Toe mm L. +3 R. 3.1
Camber L.-0*40 R.-0*40
Settings NOW; Front Toe mm L. +0.40 R. +0.40
Camber deg. L. -0*50 R. -0*50
Caster deg. L.+4*40 R. +4*00
Rear Toe mm. L.0.60 R 0.60
Camber deg. L. -1*05 R. -0*55
So, it was badly out before the job causing the front to skip to the side and giving a teeth rattling ride with oversteer in cornering. Haven't had a chance to try hard cornering yet but the ride has improved mightily and the car tracks truly.
There was good advice here that the shocks at 81000km. should be still ok. I was ready to get them replaced but it now is clear alignment was the problem and MX5's are indeed very sensitive to the settings....
New Shock time?
Moderators: timk, Stu, zombie, Andrew, -alex, miata
-
- Racing Driver
- Posts: 677
- Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2011 1:42 pm
- Vehicle: NB8B
- Location: Moffat Beach QLD.
Re: New Shock time?
Silver Nomad
2002 NB8C
2002 NB8C
- hks_kansei
- Speed Racer
- Posts: 6154
- Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2009 10:43 am
- Vehicle: NB8A
- Location: Victoria
Re: New Shock time?
Settings seem fine, your Toe was VERY far out originally, so that would have made the biggest difference.
The only thing I can see is that the rear Camber on the after seems to be a bit different left to right?
I can understand having a slight difference Left/Right to cater for driver weight, but it seems odd that only the right rear is different when all other settings are equal?
Did the aligner explain why?
The only thing I can see is that the rear Camber on the after seems to be a bit different left to right?
I can understand having a slight difference Left/Right to cater for driver weight, but it seems odd that only the right rear is different when all other settings are equal?
Did the aligner explain why?
1999 Mazda MX5 - 1989 Honda CT110 (for sale) - 1994 Mazda 626 wagon (GF's)
-
- Speed Racer
- Posts: 3511
- Joined: Thu May 19, 2011 3:38 pm
- Vehicle: NA8
- Location: Brisbane
Re: New Shock time?
Good to hear it was successful and you know understand what why tire wear alone can't pin point a bad alignment in the 5.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
-
- Racing Driver
- Posts: 677
- Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2011 1:42 pm
- Vehicle: NB8B
- Location: Moffat Beach QLD.
Re: New Shock time?
The only thing I can see is that the rear Camber on the after seems to be a bit different left to right?
I can understand having a slight difference Left/Right to cater for driver weight, but it seems odd that only the right rear is different when all other settings are equal?
Did the aligner explain why?[/quote]
We talked about the Miata.net settings and how they would be biased for American roads. I asked about allowing for driver weight and we agreed it was useless as there is often a passenger. Dave said he made compensation for crown in the road being higher I'd guess this accounts for the difference you mention? ......... even said he treats Noosa cars differently as they have lots of roundabouts! I noticed he bounced the car a lot on the ramps to check settings...
I can understand having a slight difference Left/Right to cater for driver weight, but it seems odd that only the right rear is different when all other settings are equal?
Did the aligner explain why?[/quote]
We talked about the Miata.net settings and how they would be biased for American roads. I asked about allowing for driver weight and we agreed it was useless as there is often a passenger. Dave said he made compensation for crown in the road being higher I'd guess this accounts for the difference you mention? ......... even said he treats Noosa cars differently as they have lots of roundabouts! I noticed he bounced the car a lot on the ramps to check settings...
Silver Nomad
2002 NB8C
2002 NB8C
Return to “MX5 Wheels, Suspension, Brakes & Tyres”
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 383 guests