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Old 03-10-2017, 01:16 PM   #1
ilikefunkymusic
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Member#: 464298
Join Date: Mar 2017
Default Alignment diagnosis w/ data

Looking to get some more trained eyes on some alignment data here.
I had some new wheels and tires put on the car, and really liked the way things felt as I drove around.
I installed the whiteline steering rack bushings and the cusco rack brace, and forgot to mark the damn steering joint before I pulled it apart. Ended up with the steering wheel just slightly turned to the right, even after going under the car again and trying to get it centered (via steering joint adjustment).
Went in for an alignment after the install, and now I'm not really digging the way the car feels.


Start:
2008 Legacy GT spec B w/ 55,000 miles
factory wheels. one had a nice dent on the inside lip.
The tire on the dented wheel showed cupping on the inside edge, I'm guessing that was from the dent and any induced hopping.

Driving impressions:
Steering wheel was centered.
Car pulled to the right, and you could feel vibrations from the wheel dent.



1st Changes:
New wheels & tires + an alignment.
AUDM Liberty STI wheels 18x7.5
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ 225/45zr18

Alignment data:
Use the first tab for this alignment data
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...FLY/edit#gid=0


Driving Impressions:
Steering wheel was centered fine.
Car tracked straight as can be.
Car was handling superbly, I really can't think of anything I would have changed as far as how it all felt


2nd Changes:
Installed steering rack brace & whiteline steering rack bushings
I forgot to mark the steering joint before I disconnected it, so I ended up with the steering wheel a little bit turned to the right.
Got back under the car and attempted to center the wheel but adjusting the steering joint again. Wheel was still to the right just a tiny bit.
Took the car in for an alignment and ended up here

Alignment data:
See tab 2. You can compare all the alignment data there between both tabs
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...#gid=558946775

Driving Impressions:
Steering wheel turned slightly to the right even when wheels are centered
Car is pulling slightly to the right
Feels like I have to make a lot of small - tiny - constant steering corrections to keep it straight



Looking forward to talking this out. Thanks in advance!
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Old 03-10-2017, 01:27 PM   #2
REX_WGN
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Member#: 107618
Join Date: Feb 2006
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: NY
Vehicle:
06 GG WRX / 09 FXT
@florencedestinedfxt

Default

Not sure why the tech tried to zero out your camber. That can have an affect on your steering esp. if it's a full degree different from before the alignment was done.

Did you loosen the steering rack for whatever mod you did? If so, did you happen to tighten the steering joint prior to tightening back up the steering rack?
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Old 03-10-2017, 01:31 PM   #3
ilikefunkymusic
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Default

When I took the car in for that 2nd alignment, I didn't ask for anything specifically other than simply an alignment - so I ended up with what they considered to be optimal unfortunately.

If I remember correctly, I tightened the steering joint and then set the rack back in position and tightened it down.
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Old 03-10-2017, 02:27 PM   #4
REX_WGN
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Location: NY
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06 GG WRX / 09 FXT
@florencedestinedfxt

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ok, then the culprit may be the camber. It's best to always request a specific alignment and if it's just a daily driver, a simple "matching max negative camber in front, ZERO toe on all four wheels" is sufficient. If a shop gives you a hard time, go to another one.

I asked the questions about the steering rack because I made the mistake of tightening back up the rack prior to the steering joint. That caused a little binding and constant steering corrections.
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Old 03-10-2017, 02:38 PM   #5
ilikefunkymusic
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Join Date: Mar 2017
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Really appreciate you taking the time to check this out with me.
I'm new to understanding alignment, what is "in spec", when a shop is really doing it well or poorly, and what I prefer personally.
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Old 03-11-2017, 02:54 PM   #6
MedicDG
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Location: NorCal
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2016 STi
WRB

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The key to a car tracking correctly going down the road is equal camber side to side. Ask for that but make sure they center the steering wheel before they do that.
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