Alignment Guru's

[Vettman]

Our Mazda was hit pretty hard in the right rear. It's never been aligned, before of after the accident (long story). The tire store want's $250.00 to install cam adjusters or all 4 corners and align it. How far out of whack is it? The adjusters will only deal with the camber. I guess the rest is adjustable? Tires are wearing on the inside 2".

 

[SalukiATO]

The camber on the right side is not far off based on the placement of the markers. Yes, the cam bolts will adjust camber (and some caster up front). Are they willing to fully center toe on all four corners or just go green?

 

[DMARSHALL]

I agree not that far out sometimes you can loosen the 2 lower bolts on the strut and pull to correct the camber then retorque.

 

[Vettman]

He said with the ez cams. it would adjust to factory specs. I'm only getting 23K miles out of our tires. Even rotating every 3 K miles the tires are severely worn on the inside shoulders.

 

[Wideopentuning]

The camber should be able to be brought into spec without additional hardware. The Protege has a good amount of adjustment. Make sure they dial in toe as well. 0 toe up front and a minimal (. 05ish degrees) toe in per side in the rear will drive nice. Also make sure they check the front lower control arm bushings. The rear bushing in the arm is usually pretty hammered by now.

 

[skulldrinker]

Can you buy the camber bolts and put them in yourself? Prob cost less than $100.

 

[Vettman]

Can you buy the camber bolts and put them in yourself? Prob cost less than $100.

I may do just that. The bolts are $56.00 for the rears and the fronts. That would be cheaper than the $156.00 the shop charges.

 

[skulldrinker]

I may do just that. The bolts are $56.00 for the rears and the fronts. That would be cheaper than the $156.00 the shop charges.

Watch out once the shop sees that you screwed them out of some cash they may treat you as a hostile customer.

 

[Slupie]

Watch out once the shop sees that you screwed them out of some cash they may treat you as a hostile customer.

When that happens I take my business and hard earned cash elsewhere. Its a "free" country

 

[nehog]

When was that alignment check done that you put in the image? The date on the page says May 2002, that's a long time ago. What are the current numbers?

 

[volaredon]

the RF camber is the main thing, and I say that because of the "spread" between LF and RF,,,, that's quite a difference between the 2 sides; toe will NOT cause a pull nor does adjusting toe take any correction kits. but camber and Caster can and it isn't in the sheer numbers but that spread, usually expressed as "cross" readings.
Tires can cause pulls whether due to radial pull (something within the belts of the tire, does not necessarily mean the tire has a "bubble' or is out of round)
I have had cars come out dead nuts perfect on the rack and have a pull; a different brand or tread design on one side vs the other, a low-on-air tire, different size, can all play a part. I have had this even with brand new tires pull. Sometimes swapping side for side will make the pull go away, or even can make it pull the other way.

You can have an alignment all within specs but drive crappy (again due to side to side differences) or have everything "out" but drive great.. (and eat tires as well in that case)

 

[Vettman]

When was that alignment check done that you put in the image? The date on the page says May 2002, that's a long time ago. What are the current numbers?

It's a 2002 Mazda the alignment was checked 3 days ago.

 

[bigdav160]

Let me guess, it was hit on the right front

Like volare don said, too much negative camber on the right front. The rest looks ok. I really doubt there's a whole degree of adjustment available (if any).

My guess is something is bent. Other measurements like SAI would be helpful.

 

[Vettman]

Was hit in the rt. rear. Insurance Co. totaled it. I bought it back, hung a door on it, and replaced the rocker up into the wheel arch. I knew it was "tweaked" but wasn't sure how much.

 

[MG44]

$250 to get the alignment back in spec on a car that was in an accident? Sounds like a steal to me.

 

[Vettman]

That's what the wife said.

 

[Consaka]

When that happens I take my business and hard earned cash elsewhere. Its a "free" country

Wheres the like button? The high five button? The "right on mate" button?

 

[Consaka]

$250 to get the alignment back in spec on a car that was in an accident? Sounds like a steal to me.

hmm think id have my buddy throw it on his frame rack real quick and check it out for twists etc.

250 for an alignment seems kinda high to me. But then paying 1500 for a new(to me) vehicle is about as high as I go. Unless it was a sweet 4x4 then I might go higher. Hmm but my last 4x4 suburban only cost me 900.00 plus 130 for a new(used) G80 rear differential.