Need Alignment help ASAP, Please.

[ilya]

I recently had the Eibachs installed which lowered the car about an inch. Before, I was able to get the exact preferred settings for toe. Now they are off. The mechanic told me that because the car was lowered, the front wheels are now tilted outward, and if he did the specified settings it would destroy my tires very quickly. He said the caster and camber can not be changed, only the toe now. Since my caster and camber are off due to the lowering, he said the settings below were to compensate for that.
After leaving the shop, it seems to handle precise, but I want to post my sheet.

Can you please tell me if this is horrible and way off? I'm about to drive up North which will put 600+ miles on the car. Do I need to go to a dealer (spend $120) and get it done again? Or are these settings within spec?

Please help. I know that this may not be the factory settings (which would be great), but I assume that the factory settings would be incorrect for a lowered car. Anyone else with Eibachs or a lowered NSX that has had experience with this? How were your alignment setting schanged. similar?

[This message has been edited by ilya (edited 06 September 2001).]

 

[Andrie Hartanto]

Ilya, the number seem off. The NSX has adjustable camber, caster and toe. You will not be able to get it to stock set up with lowered car (probably), but with Eibach I don't think u have any problem.

Make the Caster at least 8. With the Eibach on Kenji's car, we were able to get the front camber close to Zero. However, I would recommend about 1 degree negative depending how u drive.

The Front toe is totally off. Your chart shows it's toe-in. U want it to be slightly toe out. maybe get it to -1/16 each side or less.

The rear, u should be able to get the camber in -2 degree or slightly less with Eibach. Too much toe in as well. Maybe 1/16 each side or less.

U mentioned the front is tilted outward indicating negative toe. However, the print out shows plus number which indicate toe-in. I would bring it to another shop to have them redo your alignment. Possibly his machine has not been calibrated for a while and very inaccurate.




[This message has been edited by Andrie Hartanto (edited 06 September 2001).]

 

[sjs]

No time for details now, but it sounds like the guy hasn't a clue. ALL those settings are adjustable, lowered or not. Only the rear camber will be a problem to get back to specs, and that should get pretty close with Eibachs. Get someone else at the shop who does, or go elsewhere. Also, get them the same left/right if possible.

 

[ilya]

I have an appointment for a much better shop later today. I was told that I can get this back to stock (or very close) settings, and I will make them provide me with a printout before I pay.
It's tough when being done at the last moment. If I had more time, I would wait for the weekend. I think I will go for the slightly less aggressive settings on the toe (suggested in the FAQ) for a small improvement in tire wear. I don't go to the track too often, although I'd like to go more.

[This message has been edited by ilya (edited 06 September 2001).]

 

[Lud]

That shop is clueless on all points. Hopefully the other shop you are trying will know what they are doing.