2010 Passion Rear Alloy Wheel
Need rear alloy wheel for 2010 Passion (bent mine on a curb - OUCH). Would prefer used OEM.SteveSee More
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Has anyone had their car aligned after installing after market springs? If so where did you take it and how much did it cost?
I just installed a set of H&R springs and the paper work says to make sure you have you alignment checked after install. I called a very good local shop but they said they can't do it. It has to be done by the dealer. I called the dealer and they said they would do it for around $220.00 !!
I just installed a set of H&R springs and the paper work says to make sure you have you alignment checked after install. I called a very good local shop but they said they can't do it. It has to be done by the dealer. I called the dealer and they said they would do it for around $220.00 !!
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Replies to This Discussion
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You can do it yourself for $10 and a few minutes.
Make a couple boards that lean against the wheels and use a couple tape measures to read the results.
my specs for the toe boards
They should be 24-28" (if you're going to use them on a bigger car/tire) and ~ 5 or 6" high. The tape will hook onto each end of the first board on either end of the tire (front and back). I cut some slots in mine at different heights to hook the tape measures in and hold them so I can check toe by myself.
I put a line in the center and line it up with the wheel center, see that it doesn't hit any spokes and lays flat and then go to the other side, pull both tapes taut and put my toe on the "smart" board and read the two tapes. All this after looking to see the tapes are nice and straight and not touching any other car parts under the car.
It is very easy, never goes out of calibration and never lies (like alignment guys do).
I use Oak boards (from Home Depot) to keep the warpage to a minimum.
Use your head and adjust each Tie Rod End equally to get a good result with a nice straight steering wheel.
I like straight ahead (0 toe).
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...that's very nice Randy..but deviating from factory specs will adversely have an effect on tire life not to mention the way the car will handle at the time you hit the brakes with a rush of adrenaline..maybe the reason why your local shop will not do it is because the kid that runs the equipment does not know what the values are and the computer does not have them either....sooo if you really want to have your car aligned properly take it to the shop and have them take a base line of your car prior to the spring replacement or get the values from your service center........do you now what the specs are for toe/caster/camber of the 451?
...flea
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for 451.3.. & 451.4.. chassis the specs are:
front
camber (at 0 toe) 0 deg 18' + or - 30'
caster 7 deg 50' + or - 30'
toe 36' + or - 10'
rear (All 450, 451 & 452 chassis)
camber -2 deg 00' + or - 30'
toe 0 deg + or - 18'
Paying $200 to prolong the life of $60 tires doesn't really pay off.
You can put it at 1/4" in like they say or straighten them up a bit like I did
to get better crosswind stability and less rolling resistance.
If you do it yourself, you can monitor the tire wear and change it,
but remember, with only 400# per wheel in the front,
they aren't going to wear much no matter where they're pointed.
The last couple weeks I've tried 8 different front spring packages and 3 rear.
The front is just about settled on but I still have work to do on the rear.
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Don't be concerned.
I haven't seen any problem with the camber at the rear.
Because the beam is fixed, (the wheels stay put in relation to each other) there is no camber or toe change in any travel it makes.
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As to the stopping ability with 0 toe.
I had a moment Friday in the rain,
changing lanes when the guy in front stopped for a yellow.
ABS saved me and the car stopped straight and true.
I really, honestly did not think I'd stop in time.
I've been doing alignments since 1972
for many shops and used 7 different
racks and systems. I always wonder if
one of the other guys dropped a fixture
and bent it in between calibrations.
You have to trick the newer systems to make
adjustments to specs you know are wrong.
I'd rather trust my own eyes than a kid at Sears who trained an hour.
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Thank Randy, thats a lot of good information. I might just try checking it myself. I agree that tire wear will be minimal because of the light weight. And $200 isn't worth it.
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Left the stock shocks for now. Ride doesn't seem to be to harsh. The rocking during shifting is gone.
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...thanks for the data Randy.....I do not shop Wallyworld or Fears for anything or an alignment job...that is for the race shop to do...lol
which spring rate has given you the best take off and cruise measured from the seat of the pants and not the win light...if you know what I mean.....
...flea
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Mr flea,
The rate is just part of the package.
Bump stop, free length, wire dia, perches and adapters all have to work together.
I've had the front package out 9 times since Friday night, each time followed by a 10 mile drive around.
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I have a new improved front shock/spring package and I need a pair of front 451 struts.
If you know anyone with a pair to spare, have them contact me!
randyzimmer at verizon net
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