Alignment Question (Guru's Here)

Gpr1200r · 07-12-2006, 09:10 AM

My question is: Does replacing the front struts require a four wheel alignment, and if so do dealership service techs have an ASE or other special certification requirement for proper use of GM's sub-frame/cradle alignment tool ??? I have fairly good knowledge of alignment principles but no hands on with the cradle alignment tool. Any input would be of great help.

Thanks...Gpr1200r

GhostRider · 07-12-2006, 08:28 PM

Got mine back from the dealer yesterday. They replaced one strut and did an alinement .

Gpr1200r · 07-15-2006, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GhostRider

Got mine back from the dealer yesterday. They replaced one strut and did an alinement .

Do you have proof of the alignment.??? Or maybe they told you this and billed GM as they did with me for an alignment. I am seeing a GM habitual scammer (I.E. falsification of repairs) developing here. WTF???

Groucho · 07-16-2006, 09:57 PM

Screw GM's alignment specs...it's lawyer-influenced to maximize oversteer and keep you out of trouble.

Get a full aftermarket strut / swaybar / bushing suite and take your alignment way out of spec...the car comes alive.

BV GTO · 07-16-2006, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groucho

Screw GM's alignment specs...it's lawyer-influenced to maximize oversteer and keep you out of trouble.

Get a full aftermarket strut / swaybar / bushing suite and take your alignment way out of spec...the car comes alive.

It's actually UNDERSTEER that's dialed into all cars. Oversteer is the condition where the rear end wants to head into the turn before the front. Understeer is when the front wants to go straight. It's much easier to control understeer than oversteer. Even the tail happy Porsche 911s are dialed in with understeer, too many drivers would fall off the road tail first. But throttle induced oversteer can help you rotate around a turn quickly once you get the hang of it.

Groucho · 07-16-2006, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BV GTO

It's actually UNDERSTEER that's dialed into all cars. .

Dammit...that's what I meant to type. Thanks. Proofreading 4tw.

Fingers flew faster than my brain.

For what it's worth I have nine degrees of caster and at one point had 2-1/4 degrees of negative camber dailed in. The car handled great- the "push" of understeer was all but gone and the car felt nearly as sharp as my old 323i...and, as you say, she throttle-steers like a dream.

Unfortunately, I drive close to 1000 miles / week in my commute, and this played hell with my tires. I've since dailed it back to 0 deg of camber....but want to compromise and put it back to -1 deg...I miss it, tire wear or no tire wear.

enjracing · 07-17-2006, 09:38 AM

2 and a quarter degrees of negative would be beautiful!!! i'd hate to check the tires after a few miles though.

Groucho · 07-17-2006, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enjracing

2 and a quarter degrees of negative would be beautiful!!! i'd hate to check the tires after a few miles though.

It really is great...it gives the car a steering-input approaching the immediacy of my old 323i.

If I didn't pile 50k miles / year on my car, I'd do it anyway.

QSGTO · 07-23-2006, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gpr1200r

My question is: Does replacing the front struts require a four wheel alignment, and if so do dealership service techs have an ASE or other special certification requirement for proper use of GM's sub-frame/cradle alignment tool ??? I have fairly good knowledge of alignment principles but no hands on with the cradle alignment tool. Any input would be of great help.

Thanks...Gpr1200r

I am an alignment tech. Anytime a steering or suspension part is replaced, a 4 wheel alignment needs to be done. I wouldn't recommend taking it to the dealer for an alignment though. You should take it to a tire dealer that offers a long unlimited mileage warranty that doesn't void the alignment warranty if you or anyone else replaces parts on the car. You shouldn't have to adjust the cradle unless it has been severely wrecked. Front camber and toe are already adjustable and there are after market strut rods that allow caster adjustment. I would recommend keeping the caster high with -0.5 degrees cross caster to compensate for the crown in the road. If you have them bring the front camber up to +0.0 degrees, you will not have any inner tire wear or strut rub issues. The alignment should be rechecked at least every 12k miles. This is where the long warranty comes in, because it is free to re-align it. I work at National Tire & Battery and we offer 1,3&5 year alignments 100, 130 & 180 respectively. They are one time transferable if you decide to get rid of your car. This means the remainder of the warranty is transferred to your new vehicle. The warranty cannot be voided either. There is also $20 off coupons at NTB.com.

Gpr1200r · 07-23-2006, 02:28 PM

Hey thanks QSGTO. I am looking for a local shop to do the four wheel and take your advice and get the extended policy. It's funny my dealer said they did not have to do an alignment based on the attached doc provided at pick up time after warranty strut replacement. It was pointless to argue for the need of an alignment and they went on to tell me that the suspension needed at least 500 miles on it to settle in before they would do an alignment anyway. Not really trusting them at this point.