I need some help...Here's the deal:

I had L-Tuned Springs and Shocks installed on my car approximatly 1,500 miles ago by an independent mechanic (not dealer). I instructed him to give the car an alignment if needed. When I picked up the car, the mechanic said that it did not need an alignment. New Bridgestone S0-3 were also put on.

After doing a little research on this site, I decided to take it to the dealer (today) and have them do an alignment anyway. Here is what the printout said:


Front:


Initial Spec. Final
Castor

Left 7.6 7.1 to 8.1 7.8
Right 7.4 7.1 to 8.1 7.8

Camber

Left -1.6 -.8 to .2 -1.1
Right -1.7 -.8 to .2 -1.1

Toe
Left -0.05 0 to .10 0.05
Right -0.05 0 to .10 0.00


Rear

Camber
Left -1.8 -1.3 to -0.3 -0.7
Right -1.9 -1.3 to -0.3 -0.8

Toe
Left 0.00 0.00 to 0.10 0.00
Right 0.20 0.00 to 0.10 0.05




Initial= the measurements of the car when I brought it to the dealer... Spec. = what Lexus says is a reasonable range..Final= results after the alignment..


Here are my concerns:

After only 1500 miles on the new tires, I am seeing signs of slight cupping on the tires The dealer cannot improve on the front camber readings of -1.1 on both the right and left side. I contacted TRD (L-Tuned) and they said that this is not that far out of spec as to be concerned.

Were my initail alignment readings enough to cause the cupping of the tires after only 1,500 miles and should this cupping be reduced/eliminated after the final alignment readings? Is there another solution? Please help as I am very p@&&ed about the tires. I can't just keep on replacing tires b/c the dealer can't get the front camber reading within spec....Anybody else experienced this?

Scott

P.S. I am having trouble formatting this...Any questions let me know

 

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C'mon guys....Hasn't anyone else installed their L-Tuned Suspension and then had problems getting the car's alignment back to specs.? Or am I the only one.....The final alignment numbers are close to specs but I'm wondering if I will continue to prematurely wear my tires based on these final spec numbers....Should I re-post in wheels and tires forum? Sorry to be so hyper, but every time I take out the car I'm wondering whether or not I'm chewing up the tires...

 

Frankly I can't understand all those numbers in your original post so it's hard to comment. I have L-Tuned and the place I get alignments seems to be able to get the car in spec. The GS alignment IS sensitive though and will go out of whack after hitting ONE big bump.

 

When I had my L-Tuned installed and aligned by Lexus, I believe everything was within the spec ranges. I had Michelin Pilot Sports and I went over 10k miles on them. No sign of uneven wear. The tires are actually still in pretty good condition.

I don't have the L-Tuned S/S any longer and am going in for an alignment next week. I doubt I'll be within spec since I am lowered even more now. Hopefully, they (independent shop) can get it close.