Alignment Discrepancies?
Discussion
Car was pulling to one side slightly, so had it 4-wheel aligned using a Hunter system. Everything was within spec except one of the camber settings, but only marginally and they aren't adjustable.
Was still pulling to one side, so popped into another shop a couple of weeks later that also uses Hunter for a free alignment check. All the toes are out of spec, but the camber is now fine.
What's going on?
Is my car borked?
Is one of the systems not calibrated correctly?
Do I need to try another shop for a 3rd opinion?
Was still pulling to one side, so popped into another shop a couple of weeks later that also uses Hunter for a free alignment check. All the toes are out of spec, but the camber is now fine.
What's going on?
Is my car borked?
Is one of the systems not calibrated correctly?
Do I need to try another shop for a 3rd opinion?
InitialDave said:
"In spec" includes tolerances. The tolerance stacking of several aspects being off nominal - but still "in spec" - could have a cumulative effect that's noticeable.
Did they give you actual numbers rather than "it's all green lights on the display"?
Yeh, got print outs. Did they give you actual numbers rather than "it's all green lights on the display"?
E.g. There's a discrepancy of 7 minutes between the OSF toe values.
Edited: Forgot how to count to 60.
Edited by Strudul on Tuesday 16th January 17:58
Toyoda said:
In my experience most alignment places are hopeless. All the gear no idea.
If you've got the cash just keep trying different places till you get a satisfactory result.
How can they do it wrong though? The Hunter system gives on-screen step-by-step instructions on how to set it up (rolling it forward, turning wheel etc).If you've got the cash just keep trying different places till you get a satisfactory result.
Jaguar steve said:
Alignment is done with the vehicle static and doesn't account for changes in dynamic loading from acceleration braking or cornering. If there's any excess movement outside of the manufacturers tolerances on any suspension components under dynamic load then it's quite possible to set up to achieve a sea of green on the print out with the car standing still on the ramp but actually on the road geometry may still be out or drift in and out of tolerance as suspension load changes.
I'd go right through all front and rear bushes, links and ball joints with a pry bar looking for any anomalies or weaknesses before I'd spend any more on alignment. Tyre wear patterns will often give clues as to what's not right.
But that doesn't explain why one Hunter system says my alignment is fine and another says all my toes settings are wrong. I'd go right through all front and rear bushes, links and ball joints with a pry bar looking for any anomalies or weaknesses before I'd spend any more on alignment. Tyre wear patterns will often give clues as to what's not right.
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