Alignment - pictures tells thousands of words!

[hornetrider]

1. How shockingly bad is the before? Those are figures as supplied to me - the car is brand new and 6 weeks old. Obviously I haven't dinged any kerbs in the interim.

2. The dealer fit Eibachs were poorly fitted - resulting in the common 'twisted bushes' issue. The wishbones were loosened and there was a 'put-ding!' noise as the twisting pressure was released. The car now sits visibly lower at the front and the front end is noticeably less harsh.

3. Overall - handling is now sublime. Was 'good' before on smooth roads but twitchy over uneven surfaces - but its only after its been done that you can really tell that it feels absolutely planted in comparison to how it was before.

4. Now, I find the next bit piss poor, and it's booked in with Mazda to be sorted, but check this out! These are the rear ARB bushes:

Good and correct on the offside:



Oh dear, what's going on here then?



Answer: there's a metal bolt welded to the chassis, which the nut screws onto. The bolt has been sheared, and probably always has been sheared. FFS.

[MX-5 Lazza]

At least all your camber figures were within spec before!
It's good to see that Mazda still make their cars to such high standards and that the dealers really know what they are doing

Edited by MX-5 Lazza on Monday 14th June 19:41

[treadstone]

Amazing before and after pics there hornetrider!

Hard to believe that Mazda would sell a new MX-5 with the alignment out of whack and the springs badly fitted.

Just shows it's worth getting the alignment checked on these cars, regardless of whether they're new or old.

[hornetrider]

Tell me about it fellas, I was kind of expecting it in a way, but the car didn't feel that bad to drive - twitchy over uneven surfaces and under heavy braking, but I thought that may be as a result of freshly lowering and it may just be a bit stiff you know?

But the combination of the twisted bushes and supermarket trolley alignment was really affecting the handling, given how plush and planted it now feels at the front. Hindsight eh? The front end looks much lower now, car looks awesome! I'll take some pics if we get some sun out this week.

I'm considering having words with Mazda UK to try and get them to up their game but frankly I think I'd be wasting my breath.

[MX-5 Lazza]

It's nothing new. When I bought my old Mk1 - new back in '98, I was unhappy with the handling and the tyre wear so I got it aligned and it was worse than the picture above. The left wheels both had + camber and right had - camber for a start! Basically, the suspension had been bolted together and it had never been touched since. Mazda UK are supposed to adjust it on import but it seems like they never do.

[J-Tuner]

Someones been to see WiM - best £90 you'll ever spend

Edited by J-Tuner on Monday 14th June 22:06

[maser_spyder]

Where is this super-duper alignment place we speak of?

Just had mine all tickled up with new wheels and suspension, would love to get the full treatment like this if it's nearby.

Cheers!

[hornetrider]

Maser - you'll want to head to Powerstation in Tewkesbury. They did my Mk1 and are excellent (and recommended by WIM, where I went this time as they are 25 mins from where I'm contracting at the mo).

[maser_spyder]

hornetrider said:

Maser - you'll want to head to Powerstation in Tewkesbury. They did my Mk1 and are excellent (and recommended by WIM, where I went this time as they are 25 mins from where I'm contracting at the mo).

Brilliant, thanks!

I'll give them a call once my car's got the new wheels on it.

[Evangelion]

MX-5 Lazza said:

... When I bought my old Mk1 ... the left wheels both had + camber and right had - camber for a start! ...

First car I ever had was a Hillman Imp. It had a problem with the suspension which I never managed to sort out, even after replacing one of the wishbones, and until I sold it the front had negative camber on the left and positive on the right. This meant that it stuck like glue to right-hand bends, but on left-hand ones it handled like a row of books falling off a shelf. I shudder to think how a car with both ends like that would corner.