Apparently three might not be enough.
Here's the full story:
I installed new struts on the '96 Saturn on 6/21/09. After installing the struts, I realized that I had forgotten to mark the steering knuckles. I had so much positive camber that the tires were tilted outwards.
Obviously I needed to get an alignment as soon as possible. So I made an appointment for 6/22 at my local Les Schwab. I have had good experiences with this shop in the past.
At the first alignment on 6/22/09, the tech spent over an hour adjusting the front camber, rear camber and front toe. According to him, he had maxed out the rear camber adjustments and the rear camber was still not in spec. He told me that I needed to buy a camber kit. In addition, he claimed that the rear toe was not adjustable and that I needed to buy a toe kit. Knowing that the rear toe IS adjustable on this car, I told him that I would return at a later date. The shop offers a 30-day warranty on their alignment, so I decided to take some time to research my problems.
After speaking with a few alignment techs and Moog's Tech Support line, I learned that there is no reason why I should need camber bolts if I have elongated strut mounting holes. Considering that nothing is bent in the rear, I decided to take the car back to let the same tech have a second chance at correcting the rear toe and the rear camber.
At the second alignment on 6/27/09, I told the tech to adjust the rear toe by moving the lateral links. He was able to adjust the left rear toe but not the right rear. At this point, he thinks there is something wrong with the rear suspension and but isn't sure how to solve the problem. As for the rear camber, it appears that the suspension has "settled" and the issue has resolved itself.
After retrieving the car, I immediately took the car to a new Les Schwab location. At this particular location, the alignment tech was about to leave for the day but said that he could take a quick look at the car. He drove the car onto the rack, which was a very nice "underground" Hunter DSP600 setup, and had the left rear and right rear toe adjusted in a matter of minutes. This tech knew exactly what he was doing.
So now the question is, should I bring the car back for a fourth alignment? If you look at the spreadsheet below, after the third alignment, the left rear toe is barely in spec. I trust the tech at the new Les Schwab location. I want to get the alignment as close to the preferred specs as possible (center of the specified range), but would you folks agree that it is necessary?
By the way, I called the manager at the first Les Schwab location and explained the situation to him. He was a bit puzzled but offered to refund the cost of the alignment. I may just have to take his offer.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
Here's the full story:
I installed new struts on the '96 Saturn on 6/21/09. After installing the struts, I realized that I had forgotten to mark the steering knuckles. I had so much positive camber that the tires were tilted outwards.
Obviously I needed to get an alignment as soon as possible. So I made an appointment for 6/22 at my local Les Schwab. I have had good experiences with this shop in the past.
At the first alignment on 6/22/09, the tech spent over an hour adjusting the front camber, rear camber and front toe. According to him, he had maxed out the rear camber adjustments and the rear camber was still not in spec. He told me that I needed to buy a camber kit. In addition, he claimed that the rear toe was not adjustable and that I needed to buy a toe kit. Knowing that the rear toe IS adjustable on this car, I told him that I would return at a later date. The shop offers a 30-day warranty on their alignment, so I decided to take some time to research my problems.
After speaking with a few alignment techs and Moog's Tech Support line, I learned that there is no reason why I should need camber bolts if I have elongated strut mounting holes. Considering that nothing is bent in the rear, I decided to take the car back to let the same tech have a second chance at correcting the rear toe and the rear camber.
At the second alignment on 6/27/09, I told the tech to adjust the rear toe by moving the lateral links. He was able to adjust the left rear toe but not the right rear. At this point, he thinks there is something wrong with the rear suspension and but isn't sure how to solve the problem. As for the rear camber, it appears that the suspension has "settled" and the issue has resolved itself.
After retrieving the car, I immediately took the car to a new Les Schwab location. At this particular location, the alignment tech was about to leave for the day but said that he could take a quick look at the car. He drove the car onto the rack, which was a very nice "underground" Hunter DSP600 setup, and had the left rear and right rear toe adjusted in a matter of minutes. This tech knew exactly what he was doing.
So now the question is, should I bring the car back for a fourth alignment? If you look at the spreadsheet below, after the third alignment, the left rear toe is barely in spec. I trust the tech at the new Les Schwab location. I want to get the alignment as close to the preferred specs as possible (center of the specified range), but would you folks agree that it is necessary?
By the way, I called the manager at the first Les Schwab location and explained the situation to him. He was a bit puzzled but offered to refund the cost of the alignment. I may just have to take his offer.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts!