I got an alignment done and the car doesn't feel great. At highway speeds, the steering wheel has some play or shake in it. Its a bit discomforting. I was thinking that a tad more toe in would solve this. Please give me your feedback and/or personal settings.

(btw, 1/2" tire gap all corners, no camber kit, 205 Azenis)

Thanks.

 

I'm very happy with mine: http://memimage.cardomain.net/...l.jpg

 

Rob, is yours toed in or out (not sure which/what the -/+ means).

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by zygspeed &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Rob, is yours toed in or out (not sure which/what the -/+ means).</TD></TR></TABLE>

I can't tell either. Sorry misread.

I have 1/8th total toe out front, 0 rear. But my print out is in degrees which doesn't easily translate to his settings.

 

Uhhhhh, what ever it is I did track with already and was very comfortable... But what do I know

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 1GreyTeg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have 1/8th total toe out front, 0 rear. But my print out is in degrees which doesn't easily translate to his settings.</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's what I'd had mine set to last time it was aligned.
Might be back on Buddy Clubs by next week, with an alignment soon after.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by scott k &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I got an alignment done and the car doesn't feel great. At highway speeds, the steering wheel has some play or shake in it. Its a bit discomforting. I was thinking that a tad more toe in would solve this. Please give me your feedback and/or personal settings. </TD></TR></TABLE>

When I had WAY too much toe out, it acted like this. Like, 1 degree toe out each side. I cut that to less than half (1/4 inch toe out each side) and it's much better.

I would guess one of two things.
- Your alignment is screwed up. Doubt it, since your "before" alignment wasn't too bad. Or...
- Your tires suck, or are misinflated. Pick something with a stiffer or shorter sidewall.

Also, people with 205 Azenis on 15x6 wheels have complained in other threads about this same issue. I haven't had it myself, but 205 Toyo RA1's are fine. The Victoracers I used to have had some of this behavior, 225/50R15 on 15x6 wheels feels pretty squirmy.

 

misinflated...huhu...

 

Well, I see one potential problem but its unrelated to the problems you pointed out.

Your camber is a problem. You have a camber split of 0.8+ which could make your vehicle pull or respond differently. If you dont have a camber kit you will not be able to correct that. For street driving, I usually set my customers up with a split ZERO, meaning its equal on both sides.

Vibrations are typically not an alignment problem unless a part is severley worn. In your case I doubt that, Honda contracts a superb company for their front end components. I have a 170k mile Honda and their is ZERO play in their tie rod rods, balljoints, etc.

Vibrations usually stem from the wheels or driveline.

Other than that, based off your printout, I would say your car is fine.

 

I agree with migs... I would never want that big of a difference between left and right camber.

 

You say you have 1/2" tire gap on all corners. How did you achieve this? If it is with a coilover kit, you need to have the car corner weighted and setup with a ride height gauge. This will yeild closer camber numbers from left to right. I run 1/8" OUT in front, 0 rear. gives faster turn in on an autocross course/track and induces no chop(feathering) on the inside edges of the tires.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SlapSmak &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">corner weighted</TD></TR></TABLE>

Ooh, ooh! That would make the car feel floaty/weird, if your coilovers are set way off, or something else is wrong suspension-wise.

 

my camber settings are similiar to those of the original op....and I love how it drives... though the tires wear out a little faster on track, i dont really care...i figure the tires will shred before anything else

as far as rotation however...i think i just need a thicker rear sway to help with the rotation I enjoy 6kg/6kg setup

 

always had a problem on finding shops that are available to do cars that are a lil bit lower than the stock height...any suggestions chicago peepz?

 

How close are you to Libertyville? These guys did mine, my car is ~4.5 inches at the jack points. I think the front was 4.25 when I brought it there.

Rouse's Auto Repair
(847) 362-8950
211 S Milwaukee Ave
Libertyville, IL 60048

 

joo got a camber kit right chris?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Kicker773 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">always had a problem on finding shops that are available to do cars that are a lil bit lower than the stock height...any suggestions chicago peepz? </TD></TR></TABLE>

Thalmann Alignment in Northbrook. I hear they do some work on race cars and their setup looks like it can handle any lowered vehicles. But they aren't cheap. They quoted a buddy of mine $100 to align his STI.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Kicker773 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">joo got a camber kit right chris? </TD></TR></TABLE>

Hell no, I'm using the camber for more traXion!

 

Should I get the alignment done while sitting in the car?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by zygspeed &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Should I get the alignment done while sitting in the car?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Theoretically it sounds like a good idea, but I usually just use string to do my alignment. It's not that critical what the absolute value of the alignment is, but you can adjust toe in/out to change the behavior of the car.

YMMV!

 

In terms of tire wear, absolute means alot.

For a custom spec at the track I think the string trick will do well. However it could wear tires prematurely but I dont think we are a bit concerned about tire wear at the track!


Modified by migs at 10:57 PM 4/19/2005

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by migs &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">In terms of tire wear, absolute means alot.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Good clarification.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by zygspeed &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Should I get the alignment done while sitting in the car?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes.

 

its easy to see whats wrong--green is within spec, red is out of spec. there are some preferences on the board, but personally i try to stay "green" and as even on both sides as possible.

I got the Firestone lifetime allignment package cuz the raods in NJ suck ***** and i waste too much money on fixing allignments that are never done right. Now, I take my car to firestone as many times as i need till they get it right!

Looks like you need a camber kit.