I went to get aligned today since I redid the FRONT of the car. I left the back alone. I was charged 3 times more than originally quoted because my right rear was off. I just had an alignment less than 2 months ago when I first put on the suspension. Here are the results from today.
Left Rear Right Rear
Actual Before Specified Range Actual Before Specified Range
Camber: -.3deg -.3deg -.5deg 0.0deg -.4deg -.7deg -.5deg 0.0deg
Toe: -.05" .01" 0.00" .10" -.01" -.03" 0.00" .10"
Ok those are the computer printout readings. Now they told me (when I did not have this) that my right rear was off by 0.6 and that it needed a shim. So I was not really pleased to hear that. But, seeing these readings, it doesn't seem to me that the camber really needed it. The left was +.2 above the spec and the right was -.2 below spec. So why would the right need a shim and not the left???? And on top of that, they did not even hit the spec anyways. And still, the toe on the left side changed too, is this possible? I did not know that we could adjust our toe on the rear axle.
Any help would be appreciated since my alignment went from $40 to $140 because of this. Thanks.
"If you aren't shifting, then you certainly aren't driving!"
Sorry that didn't come out so good. The left specs start on the left and the right follows. Look above for the title for each column.
"If you aren't shifting, then you certainly aren't driving!"
yeah, those numbers are not that far off from stock. I would go there and bitch and moan about it
Unless I'm reading it wrong, you'll within spec. There's nothing wrong with it.
I don't know about laws where you live, but in MI if you didn't ask to fix the rear they can't charge you for it. The most they could charge you here would be $44 (Orig $40 + Error 10% = $44). Might want to check it out.
Toe and camber is adjusted in the back in exactly the same way. Depending on how the shim is placed, they can affect both.
Neither should have to be adjusted and shims are not generally needed. The only time they're needed is if some damage occurs.
If you needed the shim, then you must have bent your axle somehow. Have you hit anything lately, from a serious pothole to sliding into a curb or something?
Hell, when I got hit and bent my axle, the alignment shop still didn't shim it. They just heated it up and bent it back into shape.
Ok this sounds like i should open a can of whoop ass on this shop then. I would not have had them do the work based on the numbers I saw after the fact, but they explained it to me as being .6 off. Now I am pissed off.
"If you aren't shifting, then you certainly aren't driving!"
Yeah after searching and checking my factory manual, not only did I not need a rear "shim", but it was totally in spec. Also, their spec was wrong too, especially the 0.0deg range. Hmmm...almost like they wanted it to have no range. In reality it ranges from -1.15 to .35 for rear caster. The rear was fine by a very large margin. Tomorrow morning they get a call first thing. Thanks for the input guys.
"If you aren't shifting, then you certainly aren't driving!"
Even within spec, you still want both sides to match though, don't you?
I mean, if both sides are -1.15 then you're in spec and fine. But if one side is -1.15 and the other side is 0.35 then wouldn't that be a problem, even though both are within spec?
Just curious as I don't really know anything about setting alignments.
