Bad alignment... get it redone or not?

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wallyuwl

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Jun 2, 2009
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Overall it doesn't look bad at all. Would be nice to have just a little bit more camber but the overall values between left/right aren't drastically different. Does the car pull slightly to the right when the wheel is straight though?
 
How does the truck drive?
I mean sure, I'd like a bit more consistency between sides but it is in fact in spec. If the tech starts to make adjustments, they may shoot/overshoot the alignment the other way by a few degrees with just a flick of the wrench.
 
Don't touch it!

There is this much variability in how well they attach the sensors, or if there's bearing/ bushing preload from how they drove it onto the rack. In other words, the repeatability of an alignment check has this much tolerance.

Chain tire stores don't really care about your alignment as much as a real mechanic, sad to say. They did this "free" alignment check to try to drum up more work. Use it to verify you were aligned within spec when you bought your tires in case you need to cash in a mileage warranty.
 
I tell the tech I want it to spec even if if takes longer and I will pay the extra time needed ,, Other wise I will pay the bill with in spec. there is the wear and tear on the components to consider as well.
 
eljefino said:
Don't touch it!

There is this much variability in how well they attach the sensors, or if there's bearing/ bushing preload from how they drove it onto the rack. In other words, the repeatability of an alignment check has this much tolerance.

Chain tire stores don't really care about your alignment as much as a real mechanic, sad to say. They did this "free" alignment check to try to drum up more work. Use it to verify you were aligned within spec when you bought your tires in case you need to cash in a mileage warranty.
Click to expand...
That much play with the caster? Everything looks good except right caster.

The pic I attached has before and after alignment specs. This shop is supposedly really good for alignments but IMO it 1. Didn't need to be done, and 2. Made it worse
 
wallyuwl said:
That much play with the caster? Everything looks good except right caster.

The pic I attached has before and after alignment specs. This shop is supposedly really good for alignments but IMO it 1. Didn't need to be done, and 2. Made it worse
Click to expand...
That is not a wear item. Does it drive OK? Looks fine. IN fact could use even more toe. I don't like that much caster, but it's likely to compensate for load sag which will drop caster.

Again how does it drive? don't obsess over a few tenths of a degree
 
Guessing your user name is a reference to UW-La Crosse? If you're in the La Crosse area, I've always had good luck with Tires Plus for alignments and just took my Renegade to Chrysler Winona and they just had their machine recalibrated. Never had good luck with Blaines Farm and Fleet! Can't walk into the auto center there without getting into an argument with someone LOL
 
Caster typically will not affect tire wear if the cross caster is reasonable. Your toe looks fine, you need to look at total toe, not individually because that only affects steering wheel center.
Your cross camber value is excellent as well.
Everything in gray is not adjustable.
Overall that alignment looks fine you shouldn’t have any trouble.
I’ve done virtually thousands of alignments. You’ll never get it perfectly even everywhere. If you do, take it off the rack and drive it, then put it back up and recheck I bet 100 bucks it’s not EXACTLY where you left it.
That’s a decent alignment… I wouldn’t touch it if you put that car on the rack and was checking angles.
 
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Your alignment is good, it's been on 3 different racks and all have shown it within spec. There are going to be variances between machines and how the suspension settles each time it's driven.
 
Unless you take it to a really good alignment shop, the tech will see it's in the green and then back it off the machine and hand you the keys, after you paid of course.
 
dishdude said:
Your alignment is good, it's been on 3 different racks and all have shown it within spec. There are going to be variances between machines and how the suspension settles each time it's driven.
Click to expand...
The second two were similar. First one was way different.
 
HoosierJeeper said:
Guessing your user name is a reference to UW-La Crosse? If you're in the La Crosse area, I've always had good luck with Tires Plus for alignments and just took my Renegade to Chrysler Winona and they just had their machine recalibrated. Never had good luck with Blaines Farm and Fleet! Can't walk into the auto center there without getting into an argument with someone LOL
Click to expand...
Was there 6 years for two degrees. But have not been living there for 15 years. Miss that town. I agree with your assessments of TP and BFF.
 
Alignment...the redheaded step child of vehicle maintenance (sorry to all the gingers out there whose mom or dad got remarried). I find few give it the respect it deserves mostly because they either don't really know what they are doing or don't care since close enough doesn't usually show any immediate issues from the customer's POV. However, that one doesn't look bad to me.
 
I'm debating getting an alignment done. Car pulls slightly right. And turns a little easier to the right. Could be alignment. But I also replaced the front right control arm recently. I don't know if the 50 bucks is worth spending on an alignment....
 
CharlesInCharge said:
I'm debating getting an alignment done. Car pulls slightly right. And turns a little easier to the right. Could be alignment. But I also replaced the front right control arm recently. I don't know if the 50 bucks is worth spending on an alignment....
Click to expand...
Quick test:

Swap the front tires - left to right.

If the pull completely changes direction, then it is the tires.

If the pull doesn't change at all it is 100% in the vehicle - usually alignment.

If the pull disappears, or slightly changes direction, then it is both tires and in the vehicle - and that is also usually alignment and irregular tire wear caused by alignment.
 
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