Quick alignment question

leecea · 09-07-2003, 04:01 PM

The alignment shop forgot to tighten to this nut on the driver's side - it was half-way up the threads when I looked under the car today. I have driven for about 2 months like that, including 3 autoXs.

I tightened it myself today, but do you think the alignment could have gone bad in that time?

I really don't want to go back to the alignment shop unless I have to.

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esteve · 09-07-2003, 05:35 PM

Yes, you should take it back to the shop because the toe might've changed.

Some guys leave the nuts loose to get a print or save the readings and then tighten them afterwards because the toe tends to change as you tighten the nut.

Austin · 09-08-2003, 10:28 AM

Your picture shows the tie rod, which is how toe is adjusted in the front

In your picture, the threaded rod on the right threads into and out of the rod end on the left to give you more or less toe in/out. The nut is tightened to the rod end on the left.

Are you saying that the nut wasn't tight against the rod end on the left? If that's the case, then there's a good chance that your toe settings have floated.

How's your tire wear? Driving down a flat, non-crowned road, is the steering wheel straight?

leecea · 09-08-2003, 10:30 AM

Thanks for the help.

Yes, the picture is after I tightened the nut myself. The wheel sometimes seems a little off center but other times is fine. I have heard all this memory steer stuff and am not sure if that's what I'm seeing.

It haven't seen any obvious tire wear problems yet.

If I take it back, it will be the third time at the alignment shop just trying to get it right

I guess I need a different shop. I wish I could do it myself. Maybe I'll experiment a bit.

Austin · 09-08-2003, 10:46 AM

You can do it yourself.

Look Here.

leecea · 09-08-2003, 11:33 AM

Many thanks. I like the string based adjustment. I looks better than the gauge. I think I'll try making some measurements that way.

09-07-2003, 04:01 PM	#1
leecea Scooby Guru Member#: 37359 Join Date: May 2003 Vehicle: 2003 WRX	Quick alignment question The alignment shop forgot to tighten to this nut on the driver's side - it was half-way up the threads when I looked under the car today. I have driven for about 2 months like that, including 3 autoXs. I tightened it myself today, but do you think the alignment could have gone bad in that time? I really don't want to go back to the alignment shop unless I have to. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

09-08-2003, 10:30 AM	#4
leecea Scooby Guru Member#: 37359 Join Date: May 2003 Vehicle: 2003 WRX	Thanks for the help. Yes, the picture is after I tightened the nut myself. The wheel sometimes seems a little off center but other times is fine. I have heard all this memory steer stuff and am not sure if that's what I'm seeing. It haven't seen any obvious tire wear problems yet. If I take it back, it will be the third time at the alignment shop just trying to get it right I guess I need a different shop. I wish I could do it myself. Maybe I'll experiment a bit. Last edited by leecea; 09-08-2003 at 10:37 AM.

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09-07-2003, 05:35 PM	#2
esteve Scooby Specialist Member#: 28716 Join Date: Nov 2002 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Los Angeles Vehicle: 2006 STI	Yes, you should take it back to the shop because the toe might've changed. Some guys leave the nuts loose to get a print or save the readings and then tighten them afterwards because the toe tends to change as you tighten the nut.

09-08-2003, 10:28 AM	#3
Austin Scooby Guru Member#: 7089 Join Date: May 2001 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Moscow, ID Vehicle: 05 Legacy GT Sedan 07 4Runner Limited	Your picture shows the tie rod, which is how toe is adjusted in the front In your picture, the threaded rod on the right threads into and out of the rod end on the left to give you more or less toe in/out. The nut is tightened to the rod end on the left. Are you saying that the nut wasn't tight against the rod end on the left? If that's the case, then there's a good chance that your toe settings have floated. How's your tire wear? Driving down a flat, non-crowned road, is the steering wheel straight?

09-08-2003, 10:46 AM	#5
Austin Scooby Guru Member#: 7089 Join Date: May 2001 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Moscow, ID Vehicle: 05 Legacy GT Sedan 07 4Runner Limited	You can do it yourself. Look Here.

09-08-2003, 11:33 AM	#6
leecea Scooby Guru Member#: 37359 Join Date: May 2003 Vehicle: 2003 WRX	Many thanks. I like the string based adjustment. I looks better than the gauge. I think I'll try making some measurements that way.