ive heard this from a couple shops, but it kinda sounds like bs to me:
basically, they claim they cant do an alignment b/c my car has been lowered. they want to have me buy camber kits for all 4 wheels in order to actually get it aligned.
is this bs or not?
im pretty sure that after i got hit the toe angle is way off on the wheel that got hit. it feels like i am kind of sliding all over the place when i go faster than 30 and its wet out. definately not a good situation.
__________________
adam
prelude gone, now rocking two gas sucking blue ovals
07 lgt, 08 f150, 88 fj62, 88 fj62, 11 luv d-max (mmm, diesel )
- many shops can't do lowered cars because they are physically too low to drive up onto the rack. it depends on how low you are and the shop's rack.
- camber is non-adjustable from the factory & when you lower you pick up negative camber. for a proper alignment you need to get a camber kit or raise the car. note that you can just not re-set the camber... not recommended for a daily-driver unless you drive like it's an autocross everytime you are in the car (otherwise your inside edges will wear MUCH faster than the outside).
- toe gets really whacky when you lower.
The shop isn't BS'ing you, they can do the alignment but your camber would still be off. Unless you want neg camber wear on the inside edge you will definitely need a kit.
I used to do alignments and on lowered cars I would tell them they would need camber kits,but then you get some customers who dont care and I'll align it anyways and just set the caster and toe,but for a good alignment you need to set all 3 and our cars dont come with camber adjustments so you might as well buy the kits
but, a camber kit wont help the car get on the rack any better if its still too low, right?
the camber has been off for years since i installed the new suspension, and it has definately take its toll on my tire. bout time for some new ones infact. but it still drove fine and such. after i got hit, it drives rather funny, especially when its wet out. i wasnt real concerned with them fixing the camber since it couldnt be corrected, i mainly wanted them to fix the toe.
on the otherhand, i dont autoX as much as i used to (read: to lazy to get up early on a sunday). so i could just go back to stock and call it a day. i do have a front camber kit sitting in my garage, but id still have to get the rear. but i am pretty tired of bottoming out on every damn thing in the world. sigh.
__________________
adam
prelude gone, now rocking two gas sucking blue ovals
07 lgt, 08 f150, 88 fj62, 88 fj62, 11 luv d-max (mmm, diesel )
like you said,it could be that the cars too low,you didnt tell us they told you that was the reason,even if you just set the toe the cars still not going to be aligned right on the rear,when you first do an alignment the rear wheels have to be at straight as possible,then the set the front wheels by using the specs from the rear wheels,it has to do with the thrust angle
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