I just got an alignment at Honda yesterday, but my steering still has a slight deadspot to the left of on-center and is still a little to the left going straight. It also feels like less effort is required to turn the wheel left. The right side caster is right in around spec (4.7) but the left side out of spec at 5.7 degress (the range is max 3.6-5.1). They said caster is not adjustable for SH. Helms says that it can be changed by the radius rod. There are three: +2.5mm, stock, -2.5mm. I paid for an alignment, so shouldnt they replace the radius rod to get the caster in spec?

 

i was told the same thing when i went to get an alignment
i guess they dont know to add/remove washers on the radius rod to adjust caster
you need to tell them that before they work on your car
its not worth spending a lot of money just to get toe adjusted when they charge the same to adjust toe, caster, and camber

 

I talked to the service advisor. I'm going back in on Thursday. I don't get how the washer idea would work though. Look at a picture of a radius rod. Is that what they did for you?

 

Washers won't work on the Type-SH... you paid for AN ALIGNMENT yes, that's true. But are you asking them to install the radius rod too?? That costs extra along with the costs of installing it on top of the alignment work.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TimeRacer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Washers won't work on the Type-SH... you paid for AN ALIGNMENT yes, that's true. But are you asking them to install the radius rod too?? That costs extra along with the costs of installing it on top of the alignment work. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Having a caster of 5.7 deg, do I need a longer or shorter radius rod than stock?

I don't understand one thing though. I have too much positive caster, so shoudln't the steering effort be greater on the left? It's the opposite.

What would be the consequences of letting things be this way for sometimes? Toe, camber are both where they should be. Tire wear should remain normal right?

 

Yes, more caster equals more steering effort. But I'm not sure that one side being off would affect the steering in only one direction.

 

Will having caster slightly out of spec adversely affect tire wear?