Both the S2K and the spousemobile disappoint as far as tracking, etc., despite multiple alignments. All are done at a recommended local shop. I think it's time for a change.

Any recommendations? Both cars are stock-ish. The only criterion other that whether they are competent is location. I'm in the MD suburbs of DC and don't want a 100-mile R/T, especially those places who remain M-F 9-5 only and thus I'd need to take one or more days off from the office. I'm in northern PG county, would drive to eastern Montgomery County, southern Howard, western Anne Arundel... you get the idea.

Yes, don't ask, I've repeatedly checked tire pressure -- that is not the issue with either vehicle.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations!

 

I work in Waldorf and can do them if you would like. But have you checked tire wear? Uneven wear can cause pulling.

 

If the alignment spec sheet is all within MFG spec and there's no glaring SAI or caster issue and it truly matches the vehicle you're not going to gain anything by having another shop align it, just FYI. Specs are specs, but it does depend on the machine they're using if it's older or out of calibration.

The machine matters more than anything, As an industry tech for going on 10yrs I can tell you from personal experience that the Hunter DSP400 or DSP600 is an excellent machine to properly align a vehicle, some of the older non self-compensating machines can become out of calibration very easily.

That's my .02

Ask to see the machine before your car goes on it, worst they can say is no.

 

Froth -- didn't think to ask what machine is in play; older ship but for all I know a brand new machine.

Thanks, I might take you up on that; I used to take my Miata down to Waldorf for sit-in-car alignments, it's a bit of a trip. I've only glanced at tire wear from the most cursory visual inspection. I have a 35-year-old mechanical depth gauge and need to check for more subtle issues.

But, seriously, both cars are "out" in some fashion.

 

Do you have any print outs from the alignments?

 

Yeah the print outs help. Because generally mechanics know that you usually want a half degree less caster on the left side and you can't do that with s2k's cuz theyll pull. But the problem with s2000's in general is they don't hold alignment like most cars and you can't easily rotate the tires so they wear badly. and if you get an alignment then all the sudden you hit a pot hole or something in the road like a bridge gap your alignment can go out in 5 min lol.

 

Allen Automotive in Silver Spring did a custom alignment for me in 2006, I gave them the specs and sat in the car.

Ptuning was much better, but it's a longer drive for sure.

What are your disappointment regarding the track use? Stock Spec is nothing like a track or Autocross alignment.

I started with the UK alignment and added more camber, also higher and even caster

Some cars need a lot more torque on the alignment bolts for track use, older Miatas need the bolts or they don't hold. Ask me how I know.

I panted the bolts the last time to see if they slipped.

 

Yeah, I have the printouts, but have not looked into the process for posting them.

Whoa! By not being happy with tracking, I meant the cars do not track a straight line well, neither has ever seen a race track. By the way the two cars do feel sub-optimal in different ways; the Acura wanders, the S2K tracks a straight line until road imperfections (especially under braking), moderate on/off throttle. i would have thought that watching tirwe pressure carefully and getting alignments, I would not have such issues.

Interesting about the bolt tightness, that have occured to me; I drive on some roads that are -- ahem -- imperfect. I have refrained for asking for extra tightness as I don't want sheared-off bolts.

 

That's a normal symptom of our cars especially if you have performance tires. It'll follow the groves in the pavement at stop lights or if you are on a road that slopes to one side it'll go down hill.

 

Well, yeah, after 35K miles on the car and 10k on the Star Specs, I kinda knew that. Anyway, back to asking for recommendations for alignment shops...