Wheel Alignment

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KWS - 16 Jun 2004 06:58 GMT

I recently stumbled across something on the web written by a fellow who
claims to do his own wheel alignment. He went through a detailed and lengthy
description of how he calibrates his garage floor, greases up a couple of
floor tiles to put under the front tires, etc. and claims to do a better job
than the guy you actually pay money to.

Has anyone in this group actually done something similar to this? If so, I
am really curious to hear about your experience and the results. It seems
like one of those things that appears to be very difficult until you do it
once. Once, which success, one would hope.

Ken

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chuckk - 23 Jun 2004 00:06 GMT

I'm a bit picky about alignment. First the average shop will do a "good
enough" alignment, not a perfect one. I notice the difference. Next, a Miata
can be annoying to drive when set to right down the middle of the various
specs.
Long distance driving on a crowned highway for instance. Autocross is
another bag of worms from the alignment standpoint. Finally, if the rear
alignment is not correct, "torque steer" can be very annoying. There are
methods of alignment that rely on a very flat, level floor. They do work
when done correctly. If that isn't bad enough, tires and alignment interact.

> I recently stumbled across something on the web written by a fellow who
> claims to do his own wheel alignment. He went through a detailed and lengthy
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Ken

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dookie - 23 Jun 2004 05:23 GMT

'torque steer' is a front-wheel-drive affliction.

dookie

> I'm a bit picky about alignment. First the average shop will do a "good
> enough" alignment, not a perfect one. I notice the difference. Next, a Miata
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> >
> > Ken

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Pete Breemhaar - 25 Jun 2004 03:27 GMT

interesting topic...
I was about to ask what may be causing my recently acquired '94 to want to
'drift' to the left under hard acceleration, then seem to revert to the
right when letting off... don't notice this effect unless I really jump on
it.
I did notice the other day when cleaning the wheels, that the drivers (left)
side rear wheel appears to be a tad farther forward in the fender opening
than the right rear wheel. I guess it's off to the alignment shop !

Pete Breemhaar
Georgetown, Ontario

> 'torque steer' is a front-wheel-drive affliction.
>
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
> > >
> > > Ken

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Lanny Chambers - 25 Jun 2004 05:03 GMT

> I was about to ask what may be causing my recently acquired '94 to want to
> 'drift' to the left under hard acceleration, then seem to revert to the
> right when letting off.

That's almost always a rear tire going flat. Sometimes it's caused by
mismatched rear tires--different brand or different diameter.

Signature

Lanny Chambers, St. Louis, USA
'94C
the alignment page:
http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html

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Pete Breemhaar - 25 Jun 2004 17:41 GMT

tires are identical and almost new... seller had left me all bills, which
showed tires purchased just 10,000 kms (6000 mi) ago. I keep them at
28psi... they aren't great tires, (really, they're crap) previous owner
went cheap & put on General Tires, which look like they belong on a Toyota
Echo. When I figure out what I want to replace them with, they're gone.
I'm sure the difference in driving the Miata with decent tires will be
amazing.
Any thoughts on the reason for the wheel not appearing to be in the centre
of the fender opening ??? left side is almost 1/2 inch closer to the front
of the fender opening than the right side. No indication what-so-ever that
the car has had any kind of rear-end or side collision.

Pete

> > I was about to ask what may be causing my recently acquired '94 to want to
> > 'drift' to the left under hard acceleration, then seem to revert to the
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> the alignment page:
> http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html

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Leon van Dommelen - 26 Jun 2004 03:53 GMT

How about getting your tape out and start measuring? Seems
to me it should be straightforward to compare left versus right
and see what is different. May want to jack it up and put it
on stands first. Check that there is still a visible difference
after you have done that, of course. Otherwise jack it down slowly
and keep track.

Leon

>tires are identical and almost new... seller had left me all bills, which
>showed tires purchased just 10,000 kms (6000 mi) ago. I keep them at
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>> the alignment page:
>> http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html

Signature

Leon van Dommelen :) Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata .)
To reply to me, the word Miata must be in the subject.
EXIT THE INTERSTATES (Jamie Jensen)

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chuckk - 17 Jul 2004 03:31 GMT

Not exactly so! It existed long before front wheel drive cars were common.
Torque twists the chassis and the drive train. The alignment was sometime
called by different names, such as "thrust" and always involves the rear
axle. Part of the problem goes back to the engine torque that is applied to
the engine mounts. One of these days, I'll get around to changing the rear
bushings and engine mounts to stiffer ones.

> 'torque steer' is a front-wheel-drive affliction.
>
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
>> >
>> > Ken

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