Triple-H

Holy s**t, I just started studying the allignment settings I got from my dealer! I had them put my car on the allignment machine last week so they could pull the settings as the car is now. Mind you I have 7,000 miles on it and have done nothing to it other than add the Spoon X-brace which should not alter the settings. I'm thinking I need to give American Honda Motors customer service a call!

I have the following settings as being marked "Value is not within specification. Tire wear, handeling, and safety problems may result."
LOCATION / ACTUAL READING / MIN > MAX
Left Front Camber / -0.3 deg / -0.67 > -0.33
Left Front Caster / 5.3 deg / 5.75 > 6.25
Left Front Toe / -0.05 inch / -0.04 > 0.04
Right Front Caster / 5.3 deg / 5.75 > 6.25
Right Front Toe / -0.05 inch / -0.04 > 0.04
Front Total Toe / -0.10 inch / -0.08 > 0.08
Left Rear Camber / -1.3 deg / -1.67 > -1.33
Left Rear Toe / 0.18 inch / 0.08 > 0.16
Right Rear Camber / -1.3 deg / -1.67 > -1.33
Right Rear Toe / 0.21 inch / 0.08 > 0.16
Right Total Toe / 0.39 inch / 0.16 > 0.32

In other words 69% of the settings are not within specifications.

TypeSH

I don't really see how you can blame Honda for your alignment on a car that has mods and has 7000 miles.

Schatten

well, with 28K miles, I've had 4 alignments. gernby has had 4 alignemnets all under 10K miles, because it keeps changing. I don't see the issue here. They, AHM, cannot control how you drive or any road conditions which might influence changes to your alignment. But I wouldnt' get an alignment at a Honda dealer - or else they must do it within THEIR spec, not yours.

Triple-H

Well that's easy, because the X-brace would not change the settings. The dealer is the one who put on the X-brace and my mechanic said the same thing, these settings should not be out like that with only 7,000 miles. Just because other people have had to do a lot of allignments does not mean it is right, it only means that it is common. Common and right are completely different concepts.

Schatten

did you check the alignment BEFORE the x-brace install?

Triple-H

I was born at night, but not last night.
Yes, we checked it BEFORE, that is why we KNOW.
In addition, the X-brace would not change the rear and the rear is what is out of spec the most!

This may be true in YOUR experience in YOUR location, but for me in my location it is a completely false statement. So much in life depends upon individuals and the relationships that are created. I have been a loyal customer for more than 8 years with my Honda dealer. This long-term relationship provides me with options that others may not be able to acquire.

Schatten

Honestly, I don't believe the X-Brace has anything to do w/the install. I was just inquiring because you seemed to want to point in that direction. If anything, it should not go that far out of spec if it does have the X-brace on your car due to reduced chassis flex.

However, if you want the car to stay within a spec that you have them set, then have it towed home and store it away. It will change regardless of who does it, and what you set it at.

Just because you have Honda loyalty and are holier than thou at your local service department doesn't mean that your car will stay within spec.

CoralDoc

Schatten - I agree with most of what you said, Triple-H, just go and get your car aligned. It's part of regular maintenance.

However, not ALL Honda dealers follow OEM specs to the letter.

Triple-H

The dealer has already confirmed they will make any adjustments I want because they too feel the car should not be that far out of range. Just another example that there are some Honda Dealers out there that understand the value of customer service.

My expectation for the alignment setting not needing adjustments so frequently is based upon more than a decade of involvement with BMW CCA. I know hundreds of people who own BMWs and do at least 4 driving schools a year. One of my closest friends has an M roadster and he has not experienced problems with his settings going away.

I love my S2000 and would not want an M roadster and I think Honda puts together an incredible product, however I don't blindly worship the ground they drive on and label problems as characteristics. OK, so my expectations are high, ain't nothin wrong with that!