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Couple suspension questions, please help!

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Old Dec 19, 2010 | 01:41 PM
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Default Couple suspension questions, please help!

1. Where is the camber adjustment bolt in the rear located? Just went got an alignment at firestone and they gave me the car back without doing the rear. Said their computer didn't show adjustment for the rear.

2. I just changed lower ball joints and tie rods. Got the alignment. Rear passenger side camber and caster is off. I know there is no caster adjustment, I have the caster arms but was unable to install this week. My problem is the car still tracks to the right. Their spec sheet says that the wheel is straight, but if I hold it straight the car goes right. Even if I turn the wheel left and let go, the car will eventually go right. Could bad caster be the reason for this?
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Old Dec 19, 2010 | 02:21 PM
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That's the problem with most Firestone techs. They rely too much on the computer for everything, especially when it comes to getting the numbers right. To them, green means okay . The camber bolt is located on the lower control arm where it meets the knuckle. You can't miss it. Well the tech did...
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Old Dec 19, 2010 | 02:27 PM
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Thanks. Anyone got ideas about the pulling to the right?
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Old Dec 19, 2010 | 03:33 PM
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Post up your alignment sheet
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Old Dec 19, 2010 | 04:16 PM
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Originally Posted by tiger4life
1. Where is the camber adjustment bolt in the rear located?
If the tech couldn't find it, then he's likely not going to be able to give a quality alignment anyway, so take it somewhere else. Try to find an alignment specialty shop or just go to the dealership. Stay away from chain stores if you can..

Here I snapped a couple quick pics so you can see where the cam bolt is located on the rear.. It is the offset bolt, right where the lower control arm mounts to the spindle. I've maxed out the rear adjustment on mine as you can see in the second pic.




Last edited by 99 GS3; Dec 19, 2010 at 04:21 PM.
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Old Dec 19, 2010 | 06:02 PM
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So I got them to adjust the rear camber. I bought a lifetime alignment from them so I am trying to be patient. This is the second time this has happened. 8 months ago they tried to tell me there was no adjustment for the front. I had to go back the next day and show them where it was. This time they tried to say there was no rear adjustment. I bring the car back and I hear the tech yell there's no adjustment while he's on the computer. I walk into their work area and the manager lady basically ushers me out into the rain saying I can't be there. I walk in the rain to the bay my car is in, walk under the car and point to the bolt to show the guy who pulled my car in. Then the guy coming from the computer where he can't even see where I'm pointing says "oh no, that's your toe adjustment". After they look a round for a few minutes, the guy brings me sheet showing the bolt, and says "oh, I looked up the wrong car before, my bad. We'll fix it." So after all that, I don't even get an apology from the manager as she hands me my keys.
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Old Dec 19, 2010 | 06:11 PM
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Originally Posted by GSteg
That's the problem with most Firestone techs. They rely too much on the computer for everything, especially when it comes to getting the numbers right. To them, green means okay . The camber bolt is located on the lower control arm where it meets the knuckle. You can't miss it. Well the tech did...
That's exactly what the tech said. Oh your car wasn't that bad, most of it was green. I just shook my head on the inside.
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Old Dec 19, 2010 | 07:34 PM
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well there is only 2 pulling angles. caster and camber. if cross caster and cross camber are off by .5, it can lead to pulling. show me the printout and i can tell u whats going on
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Old Dec 19, 2010 | 08:05 PM
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Originally Posted by 5t341th
well there is only 2 pulling angles. caster and camber. if cross caster and cross camber are off by .5, it can lead to pulling. show me the printout and i can tell u whats going on
Will scan it tomorrow. Thanks.
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Old Dec 21, 2010 | 11:49 AM
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Originally Posted by 5t341th
well there is only 2 pulling angles. caster and camber. if cross caster and cross camber are off by .5, it can lead to pulling. show me the printout and i can tell u whats going on
Here it is
Attached Files
File Type: pdf
alignment.pdf (195.6 KB, 190 views)
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