I have a 99 civic si, I replaced my rear crossmember, because somehow my rear motor mount under the t bracket cracked it and I got everything back together I took it to Meineke to get it aligned and they are telling me it won't align because everything looks "shifted" can anyone help me out as to why that may be I don't think I can adjust the crossmember it bolts in 6 places and my alignment is way out and ruining my faulken tires

 

pics would be very helpful.

 

Sorry it was late and I had to be up early and it's just been bothering me I'll get some in a little bit when I get off work

 

Not understanding why you replaced the cross member, but that needs to be aligned first before taking it to a alignment shop. Frame shop can handle that.

 

The crossmember was cracked where the rear motor mount sits

 

Align crossmember? Shifted? Sounds insane to me.

They can't align it because its shifted? What this mean doe? Doesn't make sense. Maybe there's some miscommunication there. The whole point of an alignment is to un-shift the part that has shifted.

The subframe isn't adjustable. It just bolts in. What shifted? Where?

 

If the subframe cracked who's to say how much the rest of the unibody curled/bent or twisted without the proper support of the subframe. In which case the alignment adjustment may not reach 100% true.

Had a car in the past that after an accident they could get the alignment close but not 100% so the steering wheel was always a little off of center to drive straight.

Maybe this is something similiar?

 

He says his subframe cracked just under the motor mount location. If that wall of the subframe cracked, it wouldn't affect the suspension.

The subframe has miniscule movement between the bolts. It will usually "shift" a fraction of an inch by unbolting and re-bolting (like...1/16 or so *maybe*). Even tolerance stack ups are probably at, or greater than 1/16" on NEW cars after bolting things together. The alignment is then done by adjustment at the tie rod.

Unless he put a bent subframe on?

 

Sounds like either a bent frame or a substandard alignment tech. Did the person at Meineke print out the alignment readings? Got any pics?

 

Was this car in a major accident or something?

 

Here's your problem right here.

 

Not entirely true. I know plenty good dealer techs who got fed up of all the bs that goes on with warranty work and decided to "go hang brakes" at the corner shop. For the most part, it's easier work without all the manufacturers bullshit and people wanting you to waste hours chasing a bs rattle from the cup holder...

 

lol real journeymen mechanics find a local business not a chain.

 

Not necessarily true. Local business has less chance of providing full benefits unlike a chain, add that into the base pay and you can make more with a well established company than a one off local shop.