Help a girl out with alignment issues.
07-14-2005, 11:50 AM
#1
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Help a girl out with alignment issues.
I have just been informed that my car's left caster is 3.2 degrees, right is 2.8, and cross is .4
causing it to pull...hard to the right. i dont trust that dealership, they just did the alignment two weeks ago and should have seen it then. they want to charge me 80 bucks to see if they can fix it by using some sort of jack or something to push it back into place. they said they couldn't guarantee anything. what are my other options? thanks for the help guys.
causing it to pull...hard to the right. i dont trust that dealership, they just did the alignment two weeks ago and should have seen it then. they want to charge me 80 bucks to see if they can fix it by using some sort of jack or something to push it back into place. they said they couldn't guarantee anything. what are my other options? thanks for the help guys.
07-14-2005, 11:56 AM
#2
Disco Biscuit
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,791
Tell them that since they just did it, and its not right, its THEIR responsibility to correct it. Espeically if its been pulling from the get go. They shouldnt have missed that......
And have them explain to you just exactly is messed up thats causing it to be off. Bent control arm, worn out bushings, etc. I dont quite understand why they feel the need to charge you $80 to use a jack to push something in place, other than charging you for an hour labor.....
And have them explain to you just exactly is messed up thats causing it to be off. Bent control arm, worn out bushings, etc. I dont quite understand why they feel the need to charge you $80 to use a jack to push something in place, other than charging you for an hour labor.....
07-14-2005, 11:58 AM
#3
Hmm...to my knowledge, caster is not adjustable on the maxima. Was the car in an accident, where the lower control arm might be bent?
I'll do a little research on this with my FSM. As I recall, you said you're coming up to the RCP meet, so come find me when you get there (white guy with sideburns and a black 5th gen), and me and others can take a look at it.
I'll do a little research on this with my FSM. As I recall, you said you're coming up to the RCP meet, so come find me when you get there (white guy with sideburns and a black 5th gen), and me and others can take a look at it.
07-14-2005, 12:03 PM
#5
as I suspected, there is no kind of caster adjustment. Either something is bent in the front of the suspension, or the control arm bushings are shot, pushing the assembly to an incorrect camber. Tell them to check the control arm bolts, and make sure that they are tight.
If it's not the bushing, you may need a new control arm....like I said, if you don't have it fixed beforehand, we will look at it at RCP...
IF the control arm is bent, DO NOT let them "bend it back" using a jack or hydraulic press. This will weaken the metal and they will not be able to get it back into spec without shimming it and doing other "ghetto" things. If it is bent, go to a junkyard (or a dealer) and get a new control arm (and bushing) and replace it.
Bending back primary suspension components is NEVER a good idea!!
If it's not the bushing, you may need a new control arm....like I said, if you don't have it fixed beforehand, we will look at it at RCP...
IF the control arm is bent, DO NOT let them "bend it back" using a jack or hydraulic press. This will weaken the metal and they will not be able to get it back into spec without shimming it and doing other "ghetto" things. If it is bent, go to a junkyard (or a dealer) and get a new control arm (and bushing) and replace it.
Bending back primary suspension components is NEVER a good idea!!
07-14-2005, 01:13 PM
#7
Originally Posted by nikita
I have just been informed that my car's left caster is 3.2 degrees, right is 2.8, and cross is .4
causing it to pull...hard to the right. i dont trust that dealership, they just did the alignment two weeks ago and should have seen it then. they want to charge me 80 bucks to see if they can fix it by using some sort of jack or something to push it back into place. they said they couldn't guarantee anything. what are my other options? thanks for the help guys.
causing it to pull...hard to the right. i dont trust that dealership, they just did the alignment two weeks ago and should have seen it then. they want to charge me 80 bucks to see if they can fix it by using some sort of jack or something to push it back into place. they said they couldn't guarantee anything. what are my other options? thanks for the help guys.
Besides, was your hubby involed in this at any time?
07-14-2005, 01:44 PM
#9
oh by the way....when you go back to the alignment shop, be sure to give them **** if they charged you for a "4-wheel alignment"....since the rear wheels of a 5th gen cannot be adjusted in any way, shape, or form....they only did a 2-wheel alignment.
07-15-2005, 03:56 AM
#10
Member who somehow became The President of The SE-L Club
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Caster will not cause a hard pull, especially such a small error like .4 degrees.
Camber is what causes pulling. What are your camber readings?
The caster angle can be slightly adjusted by shifting the subframe, it's not worth it for only a .4 degree error. Thats not whats causing your pull.
Post all of your alignment specs, your rim and tire size as well as the type and speed rating (z,H,W) of tire your running. Then we might be able to see what's causing your pull.
Camber is what causes pulling. What are your camber readings?
The caster angle can be slightly adjusted by shifting the subframe, it's not worth it for only a .4 degree error. Thats not whats causing your pull.
Post all of your alignment specs, your rim and tire size as well as the type and speed rating (z,H,W) of tire your running. Then we might be able to see what's causing your pull.
07-15-2005, 06:53 AM
#11
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Join Date: Jul 2004
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Originally Posted by irish44j
Hmm...to my knowledge, caster is not adjustable on the maxima. Was the car in an accident, where the lower control arm might be bent?
I'll do a little research on this with my FSM. As I recall, you said you're coming up to the RCP meet, so come find me when you get there (white guy with sideburns and a black 5th gen), and me and others can take a look at it.
I'll do a little research on this with my FSM. As I recall, you said you're coming up to the RCP meet, so come find me when you get there (white guy with sideburns and a black 5th gen), and me and others can take a look at it.
07-15-2005, 06:59 AM
#12
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Who knows. When I first got the car I ran over a median ( I didnt see that fcker, I was used to a truck) I know, no excuses, but that might have done it.
As I said, I dont trust that dealership or any dealership, so i want a second opinion.
My specs are at home, I will get my secretary to post them later (deckdout2).
Thanks everyone for your replies. See you at the meet.
As I said, I dont trust that dealership or any dealership, so i want a second opinion.
My specs are at home, I will get my secretary to post them later (deckdout2).
Thanks everyone for your replies. See you at the meet.
07-15-2005, 07:07 AM
#13
Just in case if you should need a set of control arms, I have a brand new Original Nissan Control Arms for sale; http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=412611
07-15-2005, 07:09 AM
#14
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Originally Posted by CandiMan
I don't get it, you just had an alignment done two weeks ago at this same dealership. Did you not feel it pull two weeks ago when pulling out of the lot? Did you originally go to the dealership for this pulling problem? As a consumer it's a mistake on your part for not turning the car right around if you noticed a pulling problem as soon as you pulled out the lot. I'm not argueing, I jsut dont understand your how situation came about.
Besides, was your hubby involed in this at any time?
Besides, was your hubby involed in this at any time?
I am the customer, I bought the car there. Dont bring me that ish.
07-15-2005, 07:10 AM
#15
Nations 1st 6th Gen Turbo
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Have your secretary contact his secretary to set up the meet. I will also be at the RCP tomorrow, I'd like to also see whats going down, heck at my old age, I just might learn something new... Drive safe to the meet and stay OFF the beltway. MAJOR construction, MAJOR gridlock tomorrow...
07-15-2005, 07:12 AM
#17
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Originally Posted by chernmax
Have your secretary contact his secretary to set up the meet. I will also be at the RCP tomorrow, I'd like to also see whats going down, heck at my old age, I just might learn something new... Drive safe to the meet and stay OFF the beltway. MAJOR construction, MAJOR gridlock tomorrow...
You got that secretary???
07-15-2005, 07:16 AM
#18
Nations 1st 6th Gen Turbo
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Originally Posted by nikita
Good to know, thanks man.
You got that secretary???
You got that secretary???
07-15-2005, 09:27 AM
#23
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Originally Posted by Deckdout2
I already changed your foglights out yesterday. That didn't help? 
07-15-2005, 12:18 PM
#31
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Originally Posted by blubyu2k2
yes you are, you know you can't resist being in the same car as me for 5 hours 
07-15-2005, 12:46 PM
#32
Originally Posted by nikita
Grrrrrr. You know Ann is going too. I get off at four, when are you coming over?
07-15-2005, 03:35 PM
#34
Originally Posted by njmaxseltd
Can't you guys use your cell phones to have conversations?
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