My car is a 1996 Honda Accord v6 and I took my car to Firestone for an alignment and I am providing the readings to show how bad the alignment is in the hopes someone can give me ideas for adjustment of caster/camber. The alignment guy said there are no ways to adjust these and only the toe was able to be adjustable. Its mainly the passenger side front that I am trying to adjust because the tires are getting worn out pretty fast driving like this. I haven't even had this car for a year yet and I have burned through 2 sets of new tires and I just put a decent set of used tires on the other day. Apparently there is something bent, but nobody can seem to figure out what the heck is bent. So if there is any way that anybody can tell me to modify caster/camber I would really appreciate it. I saw on a honda civic they had a special upper ball joint that could be installed to modify caster, but I am open to all ideas.

 

It is probably the knuckle/spindle, but it could be something else as well. I have a 97 Accord and had my knuckle and rim bend when I hid a large pothole. Although this caused negative camber, it greatly affected my alignment and needed to be replaced. Be warned, if it is the spindle, you'll more than likely have to get it from a junkyard or eBay since they dont make that part in the aftermarket world.

Why weren't they able to tell you what was bent? I used to work at Firestone Complete Autocare and we could always fine what component was bent, although we did have one of the best alignment guys in a 100 mile radius.

If you start throwing parts at the bar before knowing what is bent, make sure you buy the lifetime alignment. It generally costs $189 but we were able to bring it down to $149 if people complained it was too much. This will allow you to get another alignment for free in case you did not get the correct part replaced....not to mention it will greatly prolong your tire life.

 

You have to buy an aftermarket kit to adjust camber but caster is adjustable but it's probably only going to be adjusted if you have it done by Honda. What they do is shim the radius rods. Most auto shop alignment techs are either too lazy to do it because it requires the removal of the radius rod which isn't easy or they don't even know they can.

 

A previous owner of this car had an accident on the passenger side, so thats how I know something is bent in there to throw off the caster/camber. The toe was so bad when I first got the car that even the slightest of turns would make the wheels squeal and the steering wheel was cocked all the way to the left to go straight. There are no visible signs anyone can see to tell them what is bent. My dad specialized in brakes, suspension, and alignment work and he says there is definitely something bent, but he cant seem to figure out what because he cant find the tell tale signs to point out what it is. Its kinda like how my power steering fluid disappears, but nobody can seem to find where its leaking at. The inspector had to pass me, because he couldn't even find the leak.

The thing called the "Steering Knuckle" in the diagram below is the only possible thing my dad can think that it could possibly be except he called it a wishbone.

 

That is what was bent on mine. Like I said, I had to get it from eBay and then had to have the bearing and rotor swapped over to the new knuckle.

If I remember correctly, I got it for roughly $70 or so. Labor will probably cost a good amount and that is IF Firestone (if you chose to get it done there) will allow you to even bring in your own part. We rarely....maybe twice...used a customers part when servicing their vehicle.

Be sure to keep us updated as this may help someone else out in the future.

Good luck!

 

Thanks for your help. I can only find 1 on ebay for $99+shipping. I was also thinking about these Ingalls Front Camber Kit 90 97 Honda Accord 35595 | eBay to fix the issue. So until I get the cash to do either one of the options I will be thinking which one would work best. If those knuckles get bent so easy driving over a pot hole I would figure those camber adjustable ball joints would be the best option so I can adjust as needed.

I believe thats the kit you were referring to, holmesnmanny. I did find another kit that is basically an adjustable upper control arm. Again, thank you both for the help. It is very much appreciated.

 

No problem. Glad to help.

In all honesty, the best way to resolve the issue is to replace the knuckle. I actually had those Ingalls adjustable ball joints because my car is lowered and they worked well, but I would go with SPC over Ingalls since the SPC I have now, have lasted longer than the Ingalls.

Bending knuckles isn't a common problem on these vehicles. The part is pretty stout, but an accident or massive pothole will bend them like any other suspension component. It wont ever happen under normal road conditions. I hit the large pothole in my vehicle because I was changing radio stations and happened to miss it. In Illinois, our state is so poor and in the red that instead of fixing roads, you will see signs on the interstate that say, "Rough Road next 20 miles"....which means 1 foot deep potholes ahead.

 

In order for the knuckle to get bent, other components would have to be bent first. You really just have to look at the lower control arm, radius rod, and the outer tie rod first to see which one it is. If the suspension is really old and the bushings are bad you could think of simply doing a complete overhaul if you plan on keeping the car for a while. The money you will save on one set of tires alone could pay for a complete overhaul.

 

Bring the car to a frame shop, contact local body shops for recomendations. Typical alignment shops will not be able to properly detect any frame misalignment issues.