Da1lyDr1ver

iTrader: (6)

if anyone could answer this question for me, it would be greately appreciated.

i got an alignment done yesterday after having my coilovers taken out. the car drove fine after the alignment. the mechanic said the camber was maxed out of adjustment on the front passanger side but said its not a big deal and my tires won't wear, etc (i think the camber was maxed out because my car is slammed). well, today i decided to give my car an oil change. after i lowered my car (from the jacks), i swear that my alignment is off. the car is drifting to the left, and it didnt do that yesterday. my question is: Is it possible to throw off your alignment if you jack up your car like i did?

thanks for your help fellas.

grncivic2001

it depends where you jacked up the car. i have seen some jack cars up from the control arm. alignments are done while the car is on the ground since ur lowered a lot, like my car maybe one of ur adjustments shifted or changed when it was jacked up.id take it back and tell them its still pulling and make them check it for free.

Da1lyDr1ver

iTrader: (6)

thanks, i jacked my car up from the center where the jacking plate is located. i just dont understand why this would happen...

grncivic2001

one of ur adjustments probably shifted. i lowered my car 2.5" and it pulls to the right all the time. cant figure it out. my alignment is perfect except for the rear i got a rear camber kit and had to bring the camber in becuz my wheels were hitting my fenders. might be y it is pulling to the right i dont know but like i said id take it back since its only been a day and tell them to fix it for free. most shop will do it to make the customer happy.

Da1lyDr1ver

iTrader: (6)

yea, i know. but the thing is, i've brought it back before with my "hunches" when in fact there was nothing wrong. i just dont want to annoy the mechanics there because the recognize me, haha. but this time i definately know that something is off...

grncivic2001

is it a hard pull or does it slowly start to drift. cuz mine u let go of the wheel and u go to the right. it sucks i need to do somthin but i cant have my wheels hitting my fenders. i take it u got the camber kit in the rear then? how far is ur drop?




thats my car it doesnt look that low but it is real low the rear has bout 1 finger gap its real nice had to roll my fenders

the mechanics are there for that reason to fix cars.

LiKEaFeRiO

iTrader: (29)

Post your alignment printout and it should be more helpful.

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

i jacked mine from the stock points and my alignment is fine.

Da1lyDr1ver

iTrader: (6)

i have a camber kit for the front and the back. i dont know exactly how much its lowered because i honestly turned the coilover rings until the car's height looked good.
here is a pic of the car:


the alignment specs are (in degrees):
FRONT LEFT:
Camber: -.3 - specified range: -.8 to .8
Caster: 2.4 - specified range: .6 to 2.6
Toe: 0.0 - specified range: -.12 to .12
SAI: 17.2
Included Angle: 16.9

FRONT RIGHT
Camber: -1.4 - specified range: -.8 to .8
Caster: 2.0 - specified range: .6 to 2.6
Toe: -.02 - specified range: -.12 to .12
SAI: 17.2
Included Angle: 16.3

FRONT:
Cross Camber: 1.1
Cross Caster: .5
Cross SAI: .5
Total Toe: -.02 - specified range: -.24 to .24

REAR LEFT:
Camber: -.7 - specified range: -1.5 to 0.0
Toe: .16 - specified range: .04 to .16

REAR RIGHT:
Camber: -.8 - specified range: -1.5 to 0.0
Toe: .14 - specified range: .04 to .16

REAR:
Cross Camber: 0.0
Total Toe: .30 - specified range: .08 to .31
Trust Angle: .01

According to the alignment printout, the green is within range and the red is out of range.

Deception2k1civic

iTrader: (5)

i say have them match ur front camber. i believe that is the reason why ur car is drifting left.

Da1lyDr1ver

iTrader: (6)

Deceptions, if worse comes to worse, can i just go to your location? will your shop do it for free since i have the receipt. i went to the shop at Hanover Park.

tfnaaf

iTrader: (2)

Right frt camber is to low and causing the pull to the left. Take it back to the alignment shop to either fix it or figure out whats bent not allowing it to come in to spec.

Da1lyDr1ver

iTrader: (6)

well, i brought it back to the shop today. needless to say they were pretty pissed that they had to work on my car again. they kept accusing me of lowering the car more and not jacking up at the correct spots. the front desk guy told me to take my car to a shop from now on to get it worked on. they said they were losing money by having to redo my alignment. thats total crap, do they expect me to not do anymore oil changes from now on???

when i got the alignmen specs back the front passanger side camber was -2.4 degrees and the passanger front and drivers side rear toe was off too (out of spec). just remember, my last alignment was only 2 freaking days before and all this crap went out of specs.
the car drives fine now, but i'm afraid of jacking up the car again. this sucks because i was planning on installing some new rotors/pads.

tfnaaf

iTrader: (2)

With tat much negative camber your tires will wear on the inner edge. And IMO i would take it to another shop. Any shop that is telling you that you jacked it improperly and this caused the alignmnet to change dont have a clue

TheSmuggler

iTrader: (11)

Perhaps it's time to invest in a front camber kit.

Da1lyDr1ver

iTrader: (6)

i have SPC camber kits on all 4 corners...

TheSmuggler

iTrader: (11)

WOW and your still maxing out? Something HAS to be bent.

Da1lyDr1ver

iTrader: (6)

well, for some reason, the technicians who worked on my car this time (actually about 5 guys worked on it together and it took close to 2 hours), were able to get the alignment within all the specifications. the first guy that did my alignment said he couldnt adjust it anymore and the camber was "maxed out". the first mechanic did say that room was very tight working on my car so i guess the other guy was just lazy or didnt know what he was doing?