Alignment question
 

Just a quick message for the more knowledgeable than myself. My car has just over 3000 miles on it and I notice it pulling to the right if I let go while going in a straight line. When I drive straight the steering wheel needs to be tilted a few degrees to the left. My guess is I need to get it aligned. Any opinions? If it is the alignment, how common is this with new cars?

Thanks,
Marcelo

Sorry about the typo, I meant to start off by saying "Just a quick question" not message...

Sounds like alignment. Did you check your air pressure? Do that first. Did you hit something recently? Pothole maybe? Or has is always been like that? On some road conditions you can experience whats called tramlining

Thanks for the reply. I do keep a close eye on the tire pressure and have just had the tires filled with nitrofill. I haven't hit any major potholes but there are quite a few construction zones with uneven pavement that tend to give a good jolt when you drive over them. I seem to remember this being the case since I got the car. I don't think this is relevant but when I picked up the car the tire pressure was at 40 psi. straight from the dealer, the Mazda recommended pressure for these tires is 32.

Not uncommon for something to get knocked outta whack. If upon assembly suspension is not tightened properly...:Eyecrazy:

If it occurs on smooth pavement probably not tramlining. Our cars really benefit from a good performance alignment. Sounds like its time.

Sorry for the ignorance but how is a performance alignment different than a regular alignment and where can I go to get one?

Thanks,
Marcelo

Confuscious say, "to perform in align stroke less and tickle prostate" :fingersx:

when I brough my car from the factory the alignment is off.
here is my spec:
front
camber 0.0 left -0.3 right
caster 6.7 left 6.8 right
toe 0.00 left 0.02 right
rear
camber -1.5 left -1.6 right
toe 0.5 left .04 right

it is in the factory range but the number is off, after the performance alignment i set it to

front
camber -1.2 left -1.2 right
caster 6.9 left 6.9 right
toe 0.00 left 0.00 right
rear
camber -1.3 left -1.3 right
toe 0.3 left 0.3 right

that is the different between a performance alignment and a regular alignment.

I would stick with just a plain old alignment.

Yes and no. If you take your car to an alignment shop and just ask for an alignment, they will align to factory specs, including factory tolerance. As Winning 8 pointed out above, this can lead to differences between right and left wheels, which negatively affects handling. If you're looking to get dead on factory specs, you'll have to specifically ask them to hit the nominal values. Some places won't do this. Take it elsewhere. Some places will do it but charge extra. Its worth the money.

If you can't find a good shop, try to find some racers in your area and ask where they go.

One of my Tire's pressure was 45 psi when I first drove my car off the dealer. (Front Right)

Of course TPMS was on but I was too excited that time and didnt notice much. but it did damaged the valve stem and it cost me 20 bucks to repair.

Anyway, Hey Winning 8, Do you live within the State ? and I want to ask what will happen to the handling if I change it to your Spec. Pros ? Cons ?

Thanks

pros
I could carry more speed going into a corner, full throttle once I hit the apex, more stable at the corner at high speed.
cons
some time it steer it-self when road is un-even, initial turn in a little too quick, a little more tire wear driving highway.

for people go to a performance alignment shop and ask for a factory spec alignment, the alignment guy will know what to do. not many shop know how to work on mazda, so they will set to camber and toe while the caster is off. that is the main reason the car pulls.

If everything is ok as you said, what type of tyre you used? Is it bridgestone potenza? Cos if you said the pressure is ok, balancing is ok, you didnt hit any pothole, or kerb then sometime the brand of tyre can cause the steering to pull one side.

This is a good set up for road. I am 100% for it.

See my Tein story. There is an alignment clip about astro and my story.

https://www.rx8club.com/australia-new-zealand-forum-37/my-tein-flex-story-85438/

Sorry it took so long to update my post and thanks for all the help so far. I took my car in over the weekend to get a regular alignment done to factory specs. While I was waiting one of the techs came in to tell me they had worked on the car and it was now pulling to the left so they had the car back on the lift. I took it home and noticed it was pulling to the right again but this time the steering wheel is centered. I called the dealer and they told me it was dead on with factory specs but that I should bring it back in for them to look at again. They mentioned it might be tire pull.

My car came with Dunlop SP Sport 8090 tires. Could it be tire pull? I have never experienced that before. If it is will how badly will that affect the tread wear?

Thanks,
Marcelo

If you have been to the different settings of alignment for a while. The tyre wear will be in such a way that if you have a new corrected alignment - it will want to pull to the previous lines....

It is sort of saying by the tyres - "I was going that way before".

Wait foa a few miles and check again. Check your tyre pressure. Just wait and see.

Hi all, new to the board.

Just bought my RX-8 on Monday 7/3. Loving the car so far. Got it used with 3700 miles on it!

Anyhow, I had a performance alignment done today and thought I would share the numbers:

Before (from factory with 3700 miles break-in)
FRONT L/R
Camber -0.3/-0.3 (not bad)
Caster 6.9/6.7
Toe 0.15/0.05 (total of 0.20 toe IN, not good on front)
REAR
Camber -1.2/-1.6
Toe 0.10/0.15

After (Per my requested specs)
FRONT L/R
Camber -1.0/-1.0 (Much better, somewhat conservative)
Caster 7.0/6.9
Toe 0.00/0.00 (awesome)
REAR
Camber -1.3/-1.4 (Good to have a little more in back for a street car)
Toe 0.15/0.10

Turn-in (on the street) is much more precise and responsive. Tramlining has not been an issue. Less understeer, should be able to overcome it with trail-braking and appropriate thottle use at the track . . . hard to find this out on the street.

Optimal Setting?
 

TAKA,
would you say this is an optimal road setting for those not AutoXing???