F22PwrdS2K

My alignment has been set about 6 times in 6 months. Everytime I go back it is something different. To explain what I am talking about: I went to get an alignment. In the rear I had -2.5deg camber. I had to go back to this place 4 times because my car would not drive straight. (Not because of the camber, that is just what I am using to reference this subject). After they could not get my car to drive correct I went to another place the next day that I knew and trusted. I went in and did another full alignment. When we put it on there rack my rear camber had moved from the set -2.5deg to -1.7 on the driver side, -2.2 on the passenger side. My toe had moved even worse. The first time it was toed in, visually you could see it from standing beside the car. We got the car on the second rack and it had moved the toe out by .5 on both sides.

What I am wanting to know, is this due to this car having cambolts for the adjustment or are we just not tighting it enough. I have had this problem from day one of owning the car (stock suspension to now having Buddy Club RSD's). Can anyone give me some insight on what to do. I am very tired of spending money on alignments!!!!

coldfire

Even the slightest bump in the road can change your alignment settings. I was an alignment tech for some time and would align a car, test drive it, bring it back in for some minor adjustments and find that the measurements were sometimes more than a degree different than before. Its the nature of the beast. Your alignment is guaranteed until I roll it off the alignment rack.

nv_blitz

This is so true. I have had this problem on my GSR once I swapped to a much stiffer after market suspension set-up. I have not notice the issue on the S yet but I haven't had an alignment.

Bumps pot holes or bumbing up against the curb lightly can change your settings.

F22PwrdS2K

Is there anyway to fix this?

coldfire

You could try welding all your suspension pieces up so they can't move at all.... but that wouldn't be conducive to a comfortable ride or the car handling well at all. Its the nature of moving parts.

little_chicken

They should be looking at more than just your alignment if you having that much of a problem. They need to look for any sort of play in your ball joints, tie rods, control arm bushing, bearings. any play in these will cause you alignment to be out even after it being set!

SpitfireS

Alignments don't change themselves that much.
Sure, potholes and curbes do but if you don't hit them your settings should stick.

Do the alignment bolts still turn easily?
Or do they have to use 3 ft extensions to get them to turn?
If that is the case your bolts have seized in the bushings and by turning the bolt you warp the rubber of the bushing.

SgtB

Added to my things to check list. Thanks.

Slows2k

Not all alignment racks are created equal. You can align a car, pull the heads off the wheels, and redo the entire alignment and get slightly different #'s The runout compensation on the heads changes, if the heads aren't level when the caster measurement is done all effect alignment accuracy.