Wheel Alignment - DC2R

[Kelezzay]

Hey all,

Over the weekend, I installed front and rear camber arms (Hardrace), and after getting a wheel alignment from a reputable wheel alignment business, they advised that they were unable to have the steering centered (straight) whilst driving straight, and asked whether I changed my steering rack (which I haven't). At the moment, the wheel is on a slight right when driving straight.

Any idea's? The reason why I installed front and rear camber arms is, I recently purchased new wheels (16x8 +30 fronts / 16.7.5 +28 rear) running 205/45/16's all round (should have opted for 215 or 225's at the front - my fault) and -2 degree camber all round.

Thank you!

[Super-DA9]

Do you have a crazy amount of free play in your steering rack? Like a big deadzone?

Otherwise I can't see a reason that they couldn't align it properly other than they couldn't be bothered lol

Installing camber arms will not prevent you from having a centred steering wheel when driving straight. If they couldn't tell you why they 'couldn't get it straight' then I would seriously consider getting it done elsewhere.

[Kelezzay]

Do you have a crazy amount of free play in your steering rack? Like a big deadzone?

Otherwise I can't see a reason that they couldn't align it properly other than they couldn't be bothered lol

Installing camber arms will not prevent you from having a centred steering wheel when driving straight. If they couldn't tell you why they 'couldn't get it straight' then I would seriously consider getting it done elsewhere.

Not so much free play, however steering feels a bit soft turning in at times - other than that, steers fine like a DC2R should.

I only thought it could have been the camber arms, only because prior the new wheels/tyres and camber arms the steering was fine. Might have to go to another workshop and see whether they can look into the alignment. Thank you!

[rc_]

Not so much free play, however steering feels a bit soft turning in at times - other than that, steers fine like a DC2R should.

I only thought it could have been the camber arms, only because prior the new wheels/tyres and camber arms the steering was fine. Might have to go to another workshop and see whether they can look into the alignment. Thank you!

Did they adjust the camber or at least give you a print out of the measurements? Post it up if you have it.

Is your camber even between left/right?

Other than that as above there is no reason it shouldn't be able to be aligned with the camber arms if your tie rods are ok. There is a huge amount of camber adjustment in the arms so just set them up evenly both sides. I have the them installed no issues with alignment at all, toe was pretty far out before aligning but I changed struts and camber arms at the same time.

My experience, there are very few tyre shops that either know or want to do a proper alignment. Go to a specialist Motorsport tyre place they usually at least try to set it up properly.

[tank]

The steering needs to be held straight (best way is by someone sitting in the driver's seat) when the alignment is being done. The steering does move around when someone is making adjustments to the suspension.

Adjust camber first and make sure its very close to the same for the left and right side. Then adjust the toe.

[EGVTi]

Look at the toe arms and count the thread on both of them to see if they have the same amount of thread on each side. If they do, then take it back to the workshop and tell them to do it properly by undoing the steering column coupler and turn the steering wheel to dead center and retighten the coupler.

If the thread on the toe arm is uneven then take it back aswell and tell them to undo the steering column coupler and square up the toe arms from underneath so they are equal in length. Then turn the wheel to dead center and retighten the coupler.

[Kelezzay]

Did they adjust the camber or at least give you a print out of the measurements? Post it up if you have it.

Is your camber even between left/right?

Other than that as above there is no reason it shouldn't be able to be aligned with the camber arms if your tie rods are ok. There is a huge amount of camber adjustment in the arms so just set them up evenly both sides. I have the them installed no issues with alignment at all, toe was pretty far out before aligning but I changed struts and camber arms at the same time.

My experience, there are very few tyre shops that either know or want to do a proper alignment. Go to a specialist Motorsport tyre place they usually at least try to set it up properly.

The shop that does these alignments, conduct the alignments by eye.

Camber is even on both sides. Will go to another shop and get it checked out. Thanks for your input

[Kelezzay]

The steering needs to be held straight (best way is by someone sitting in the driver's seat) when the alignment is being done. The steering does move around when someone is making adjustments to the suspension.

Adjust camber first and make sure its very close to the same for the left and right side. Then adjust the toe.

When the alignment was done, they had the tool which has the wheel dead straight. I will be looking again at the camber and see for certain whether it is even on both sides. However, would the wheels being off balance make the steering not straight? Thanks for your reply

[Kelezzay]

Look at the toe arms and count the thread on both of them to see if they have the same amount of thread on each side. If they do, then take it back to the workshop and tell them to do it properly by undoing the steering column coupler and turn the steering wheel to dead center and retighten the coupler.

If the thread on the toe arm is uneven then take it back aswell and tell them to undo the steering column coupler and square up the toe arms from underneath so they are equal in length. Then turn the wheel to dead center and retighten the coupler.

Awesome - thanks for the input! I'll take a look into that, as well as the camber arms

[rc_]

The shop that does these alignments, conduct the alignments by eye.

Camber is even on both sides. Will go to another shop and get it checked out. Thanks for your input

If that is what they told you then definitely 'steer' clear of that shop (see what I did there! Lame I know, but I get bored sometimes)

An alignment cannot be done "by eye", maybe they just didn't want to supply you the printout.