Alignment Question Regarding Front Camber Limitation
03-04-2008, 08:05 PM
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Alignment Question Regarding Front Camber Limitation
Getting my new 07 RX ready for it's first autocross at the end of this month (local Porsche club at Tobay Beach) with 550 miles to go until the 2,000 mile break-in is complete. After having the Koni Sports installed at full hard front and rear I took the car to one of the very reputable alignment shops. It happens to be a Goodyear outlet with a very capable and cooperative tech who does many of the autocrossers cars. I've used him before.
Emptied the car out, went with 1/4 tank of gas and sat in the car as it was aligned. Had the toe set to zero toe front and rear and -1.2 degrees camber on each side in the rear. Here's where the disappointment came in, the fronts could only be set to -1.1 and -1.2 degrees (Don't have the printout handy at the moment to tell you which sides.). He gave up some caster to get even that (Again, I don't have the printout, but can post it later.) I was hoping for -1.4 to -1.8.
My question is: Is this a normal production variation or a technician issue?
Thanks!
Emptied the car out, went with 1/4 tank of gas and sat in the car as it was aligned. Had the toe set to zero toe front and rear and -1.2 degrees camber on each side in the rear. Here's where the disappointment came in, the fronts could only be set to -1.1 and -1.2 degrees (Don't have the printout handy at the moment to tell you which sides.). He gave up some caster to get even that (Again, I don't have the printout, but can post it later.) I was hoping for -1.4 to -1.8.
My question is: Is this a normal production variation or a technician issue?
Thanks!
03-05-2008, 10:47 AM
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Steve -
I suspect because your car is so new, you may find it will pick-up some additional negative camber as you put miles on it as a result of the suspension settling in. My 06' gained about 2 tenths from the alignment I did in the Spring to the alignment check before Nationals in September.
Chris H
I suspect because your car is so new, you may find it will pick-up some additional negative camber as you put miles on it as a result of the suspension settling in. My 06' gained about 2 tenths from the alignment I did in the Spring to the alignment check before Nationals in September.
Chris H
03-05-2008, 11:47 AM
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Steve -
I suspect because your car is so new, you may find it will pick-up some additional negative camber as you put miles on it as a result of the suspension settling in. My 06' gained about 2 tenths from the alignment I did in the Spring to the alignment check before Nationals in September.
Chris H
I suspect because your car is so new, you may find it will pick-up some additional negative camber as you put miles on it as a result of the suspension settling in. My 06' gained about 2 tenths from the alignment I did in the Spring to the alignment check before Nationals in September.
Chris H
By the way, I'm getting used to the ride with the Konis on full hard. Had my friend tighten up my fillings just in case!
Steve
03-05-2008, 02:02 PM
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03-05-2008, 03:07 PM
#14
Or in other words...tell your tech to set your camber FIRST...THEN the caster...thats the proper order...
As soon as you put any caster back in you will start to lose camber.
03-05-2008, 03:24 PM
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03-05-2008, 07:46 PM
#20
I was surprised I got -1.7 and -1.9 on mine with about 6 degrees caster. When the tech first slid the adjustment out, I was shocked to see about -2.2 per side, but it came back in slightly when the toe was adjusted.
I think most of the variation is in different racks. When I last had my camaro checked at a local tire place (G**dyear), the camber readings were .7 degrees higher on one side than the other both front and rear (on a solid axle!) .
The only thing special I did onthe RX-8 was to make sure the suspension was well settled out after installing the Konis and before tightening the UCAs. The alignment was done at the Mazda dealer on a Hunter xxx rack, with only ~1000mi on the car.
I think most of the variation is in different racks. When I last had my camaro checked at a local tire place (G**dyear), the camber readings were .7 degrees higher on one side than the other both front and rear (on a solid axle!) .
The only thing special I did onthe RX-8 was to make sure the suspension was well settled out after installing the Konis and before tightening the UCAs. The alignment was done at the Mazda dealer on a Hunter xxx rack, with only ~1000mi on the car.
03-05-2008, 11:15 PM
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I was surprised I got -1.7 and -1.9 on mine with about 6 degrees caster. When the tech first slid the adjustment out, I was shocked to see about -2.2 per side, but it came back in slightly when the toe was adjusted.
I think most of the variation is in different racks. When I last had my camaro checked at a local tire place (G**dyear), the camber readings were .7 degrees higher on one side than the other both front and rear (on a solid axle!) .
The only thing special I did onthe RX-8 was to make sure the suspension was well settled out after installing the Konis and before tightening the UCAs. The alignment was done at the Mazda dealer on a Hunter xxx rack, with only ~1000mi on the car.
I think most of the variation is in different racks. When I last had my camaro checked at a local tire place (G**dyear), the camber readings were .7 degrees higher on one side than the other both front and rear (on a solid axle!) .
The only thing special I did onthe RX-8 was to make sure the suspension was well settled out after installing the Konis and before tightening the UCAs. The alignment was done at the Mazda dealer on a Hunter xxx rack, with only ~1000mi on the car.
Last edited by whatbadgerseat; 03-06-2008 at 07:52 PM.
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