Help !! Big alignment problem !!!

BudzZz · 03-26-2012, 07:15 PM

Last weekend i installed my H&R springs with the spc rear camber arms.

I then put on my new 20" wheels and waited till monday to get it all aligned.

I finally get to the shop and the guy starts working on it but he starts taking wayyyy too much time so i go inside to see whats up and he tells me he can't adjust the rear driver side to proper specs.

Its funny that the right side didn't give him any trouble but the left was the complete opposite.

He told me everytime he adjusted the camber/caster to the driver side the toe would unbalance.

The he tried to re-adjust the toe then the camber would unbalance.

WTF !!

after two hours he gave up and told me he would have to put me to -2.5 since he wasn't able to bring both to -1.3 to -1.8. The toe in the rear is sitting at 0 on both sides but its the -2.5 thats killing me right now.

The hole reason why I wanted the SPC rear camber arms was to correct the negative camber to provent uneven tire wear.

Has this ever happened to anyone before??

Should I just go to another shop for an alignment ??

azn370z · 03-26-2012, 07:25 PM

Every z is different but I believe I got my rears to factory spec. I think toe is going to wear your tires more than camber. It doesn't hurt to have a shop that specialize in sports cars do your alignment.

MJB · 03-26-2012, 07:30 PM

You are going to need aftermarket toe bolts. The factory toe has minimal adjustment to it.

BudzZz · 03-26-2012, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJB

You are going to need aftermarket toe bolts. The factory toe has minimal adjustment to it.

Now that i recall, if i remember correctly the garage that installed the camber arms put the toe bolt that came with the kit to the camber arm it self instead of replacing the stock toe bolt.

could that be the problem ??

but if thats the case why was he able to align the left side but not the right ?

MJB · 03-26-2012, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BudzZz

Now that i recall, if i remember correctly the garage that installed the camber arms put the toe bolt that came with the kit to the camber arm it self instead of replacing the stock toe bolt.

could that be the problem ??

but if thats the case why was he able to align the left side but not the right ?

No, after market toe bolts like these- https://www.splparts.com/store/produ...hp?pid291.html

You have to enlarge the hole on the subframe where these would be installed... gives you way more toe adjustability.

And to answer your question... I don't know why he was able to get one side within specs and not the other.

And toe is adjusted from where the spring perch mounts to, not the camber arm

BudzZz · 03-26-2012, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azn370z

Every z is different but I believe I got my rears to factory spec. I think toe is going to wear your tires more than camber. It doesn't hurt to have a shop that specialize in sports cars do your alignment.

did you get your rears to factory specs with stock camber arms and toe ?

BudzZz · 03-26-2012, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJB

No, after market toe bolts like these- https://www.splparts.com/store/produ...hp?pid291.html

You have to enlarge the hole on the subframe where these would be installed... gives you way more toe adjustability.

And to answer your question... I don't know why he was able to get one side within specs and not the other.

And toe is adjusted from where the spring perch mounts to, not the camber arm

ok i guess i'll have to tell him to take off the toe bolt he put into the wrong hole and replace the stock toe bolt with the one that came with the SPC kit.

how much does the hole need to be enlarged ?

modme · 03-26-2012, 07:55 PM

There is no reason for the shop to put the toe bolt on the camber arm. It serves absolutely 0 function there. If anything, the camber concentric bolt should be removed and locked it with a square nut. Camber adjustments should be made on the camber arm. The toe bolt should be installed on the spring perch and that'll allow more toe adjustment. Have them reinstall it and you should get a better alignment.

azn370z · 03-26-2012, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BudzZz

did you get your rears to factory specs with stock camber arms and toe ?

I have spc arms but stock toe bolts.

MJB · 03-26-2012, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BudzZz

ok i guess i'll have to tell him to take off the toe bolt he put into the wrong hole and replace the stock toe bolt with the one that came with the SPC kit.

how much does the hole need to be enlarged ?

The stock toe bolt and stock camber bolt are essentially the same thing, so switching them back and forth isn't going to do anything... If he can not get toe back with in specs, is because there is no more adjustability to it. You would have to enlarge the hole the toe bolt mounts into and use a aftermarket bolt like the one pictured.

The one on the left is the aftermarket toe bolt, the one on the right is stock

BudzZz · 03-26-2012, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azn370z

I have spc arms but stock toe bolts.

what suspension are you runing ?

BudzZz · 03-26-2012, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJB

The stock toe bolt and stock camber bolt are essentially the same thing, so switching them back and forth isn't going to do anything... If he can not get toe back with in specs, is because there is no more adjustability to it. You would have to enlarge the hole the toe bolt mounts into and use a aftermarket bolt like the one pictured.

The one on the left is the aftermarket toe bolt, the one on the right is stock

I think its the same one i got but was installed in the wrong hole so i'll start with that tomorrow.

zguynate · 03-26-2012, 09:14 PM

Yep you will need aftermarket toe bolts. I am a little more negative in the rear than factory because I didn't feel like installing the toe bolts lol. It won't hurt anything. It will wear the inside of the tire over time but not like the wrong toe will eat a tire.

BudzZz · 04-04-2012, 12:56 PM

Problem solved !! Installed a new toe bolt and voila !!!

Telephone · 04-04-2012, 01:27 PM

So the shop was able to align it correctly?

03-26-2012, 07:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
BudzZz Base Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Montreal Canada Posts: 56 Drives: 2012 Subaru Sti Rep Power: 13	Help !! Big alignment problem !!! Last weekend i installed my H&R springs with the spc rear camber arms. I then put on my new 20" wheels and waited till monday to get it all aligned. I finally get to the shop and the guy starts working on it but he starts taking wayyyy too much time so i go inside to see whats up and he tells me he can't adjust the rear driver side to proper specs. Its funny that the right side didn't give him any trouble but the left was the complete opposite. He told me everytime he adjusted the camber/caster to the driver side the toe would unbalance. The he tried to re-adjust the toe then the camber would unbalance. WTF !! after two hours he gave up and told me he would have to put me to -2.5 since he wasn't able to bring both to -1.3 to -1.8. The toe in the rear is sitting at 0 on both sides but its the -2.5 thats killing me right now. The hole reason why I wanted the SPC rear camber arms was to correct the negative camber to provent uneven tire wear. Has this ever happened to anyone before?? Should I just go to another shop for an alignment ?? Last edited by BudzZz; 03-26-2012 at 08:07 PM.

03-26-2012, 07:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
azn370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,722 Drives: z34 - R1 Rep Power: 490	Every z is different but I believe I got my rears to factory spec. I think toe is going to wear your tires more than camber. It doesn't hurt to have a shop that specialize in sports cars do your alignment. __________________ 2010 k23 H&R sport springs / Spc rear camber arms / SSR SP1 / Berk cbe / Varis cf lip / Nismo S-Tune side skirts

03-26-2012, 07:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
modme Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: NY Posts: 345 Drives: G37 Rep Power: 16	There is no reason for the shop to put the toe bolt on the camber arm. It serves absolutely 0 function there. If anything, the camber concentric bolt should be removed and locked it with a square nut. Camber adjustments should be made on the camber arm. The toe bolt should be installed on the spring perch and that'll allow more toe adjustment. Have them reinstall it and you should get a better alignment. __________________ GTM Twin Turbo Stage 2\|GTR Turbo/Engine Gauges\|KW V3 Coilovers\|HKS Exhaust\|Oil Cooler\| Vossen CV1

03-26-2012, 09:14 PM	#13 (permalink)
zguynate A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Strangeland Posts: 1,054 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 73	Yep you will need aftermarket toe bolts. I am a little more negative in the rear than factory because I didn't feel like installing the toe bolts lol. It won't hurt anything. It will wear the inside of the tire over time but not like the wrong toe will eat a tire. __________________ 2009 370z touring w/sports package

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03-26-2012, 07:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
MJB A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Tacoma, WA Age: 41 Posts: 1,498 Drives: a POS truck Rep Power: 496	You are going to need aftermarket toe bolts. The factory toe has minimal adjustment to it.

04-04-2012, 12:56 PM	#14 (permalink)
BudzZz Base Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Montreal Canada Posts: 56 Drives: 2012 Subaru Sti Rep Power: 13	Problem solved !! Installed a new toe bolt and voila !!!

04-04-2012, 01:27 PM	#15 (permalink)
Telephone Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 297 Drives: 2012 Sport M6 Rep Power: 13	So the shop was able to align it correctly?