For those of you with S/T springs did you have problems getting the car aligned? I took my 87 in for an alignment today and the shop just called me back telling me some rear bar had to be taken off and heated since it was close to the gas line so that they could achieve the proper camber. Then they told me that on the front they needed to take off the front struts and slot them so that they could adjust the camber on those. Basically they said that I was looking at an additional 4 hours of labor on top of the alignment....they charge $65/hr. I told them to give me the car back because the cost of the alignment might total my car The tires I have on there now are only $200 a set. Have you guys had problems like this? I am going to try a shop that specalizes in alignment this weekend....but what the heck. They were charging me 2 hrs to drop the front struts and drill new holes in them (this might take me half an hour to do both sides with no lift)

 

The rears I might be able to understand....though it's wierd that they'd be that far out of alignment. As for the fronts, you can bet camber bolts for that. I never noticed any alignment problems except for a rear camber problem on mine before I put the springs in. But since I never did have an alignment, I'm not sure if mine was still off or not (since I didn't notice anything unusual).

S

 

I am going to take it somewhere else this weekend....I think 4 hrs extra labor is a little much just to align my car.

 

My 87 has been bad out of line since I bought it last summer. Was running on new tires that were showing steel when i took it in. They seemed pretty confused on how to get it aligned-took some doing. However, they got it pretty much straight, but told me my steering wheel would be a little off. My power steering has never worked so i guess when I get it fixed it would be better. Only took about 30 min and cost me 49.99. those small run down tire places give you more for your buck. Found out my rear motor mount is bad-engine down on frame and that I have a collapsed brake line on passenger front too. Another day another dollar.....

 

Do you have ST springs?

 

I dont think Kathy's car is lowered. The only problem I had was some new guy at Sears saying he couldnt get the lifts under the car because it was too low. My car isnt even lowered man!! After awhile they got it on. Dont know what the hell that crap was about though.

Kathy:Another day another dollar.....

It seems that its always that way for our cars. I have come to the conclusion that my PS pump is going out possibly. Everytime I rev while driving or with it in park it gives off this annoying whinning whirring noise, but only after you start to go over 2000 rpm. Anything below that it is fine. Crazy I tell ya. So that is also next on my list along with some other things.

 

Kathy, if you're in/around Nashville - I take my car for $25 alignments to this guy who has the machine in his garage.. He does an awesome job, about 25 miles NW of Nashville. I'd be happy to send you his phone# and directions!

 

Man, I did not realize we had so many second gens in Tenn. my brother is getting married in Nashville on July 2nd this year. Maybe I will drive my second gen down for the wedding If you guys know any cool places to hang out please PM me. I have been to Nashville twice before, and I usually end up in Tootsies, I am only familiar with that area of downtown, and we are staying at a hotel that is in walking distance of Tootsies. Anyway I'll be in Nashville from at least the 1st-3rd. By the way I am 27 (I like doing normal 27 y/o stuff)

 

ok, I just got the car back from the allignment speciality place...they charged me $58=standard allignment fee. I just saved 300 on an alignment....point of story=don't get ripped off.

 

Glad to hear you got a decent price. My first estimate/experience was bad too.
I'm about 3 hours west of Nashville on the Tenn/Missouri line, but thx for the heads up. I couldn't lower my car, I'm too old (38), plus my solenoid would drag . Like i said I love my car, the body is great but everything down to the carpet needs love. One step at a time and it will be great. I really love the way it handles without the power steering, is it unwise to leave it unfixed?

 

Does your power steering system retain fluid, or is it leaking? Most likely, if it's retaining fluid, your pump is shot, or you have a plugged hose.

If the steering is smooth, and noise-free, the steering should be ok for a while, but it does need to have fluid in there for lubrication, or you'll cause premature wear on on the rack and pinion assembly. If a hose if clogged, you may have enough fluid built up to allow for lube, with giving the power assist. Also possible that it may be working a little, but without much pressure to the rack...before I replaced my rack, and rebuilt my pump, the system would leak very bad, and when it ran out of fluid, it would be quiet, but VERY hard to steer when traveling any slower than about 35 - 40 MPH.