My wheels in the rear are not perfectly perpendicular. The drivers side rear wheel is slightly tilted inward at the top and the Passenger side rear is slightly inward at the bottom. It is much less on the passenger side than is the driver side. I noticed this today when my wife drove my car home and I followed her. I am using stock struts and H&r Progressive rate springs.
Is there something that i did not do correctly when installing the springs, is there a componet i am short on. Or is it just due to the stock struts?
I want to correct this asap as tires are not cheap.
-Dave

 

uhm, did you try getting an alignment?

 

dave you need an alignment. either take it some place or .... you can get it real close yourself.
in my case, I just eyeballed it for camber. it takes a bit of time but you'll be glad when the tires aren't wearing. for adjusting Toe. you can actually use a tape measure to get it real close. find a spot on the tead to use as a mark and measure in front of and back of the wheel as close to 180 out as you can. only thing . You have to have a very flat surface to sit the car on.... and after a change you ahev to roll the car back and fourth to settle it to the new change before remeasuring to see if you got it.
In fact for toe they make a gauge/tool you can buy that has 2 pointers on it It's basically a glorified measuring stick with extended pointers.

 

Ok, You guys do know that I am reffering to the REAR wheels?
The fronts are ok. I didnt know that you could align the rears.
I know I should just get off my lazy *** and pull the wheel off and look to see if their is an adjustment. I guess there is huh?
Ok well I can use a tape measure easy enough.
So to confirm, I will look anyway but you guys are sayin that the rear wheels can be aligned also. Thanks man.

BTW Great track pic. I have some nice video of your car farting a contious flame around VIR

 

I tried to make a pic to clarify what I am trying to say.
See wheen looking at the wheel from directly behind. They do not sit at 90 degree angles like they used to before.
Is this normal?
If not then what is the correction?

 

If you installed new springs it is normal for the camber to change. Luckily on the FD there is an adjustment for the camber on the rear as well as the front. So take it to a good alignment shop and let them work thier magic!

 

As RatedR1 says the rear camber is in fact adjustable. It adjusts just like camber on the front; by moving the inner pivot of the lower arm in and out. Any decent alignment shop will be able to take care of it for you. Typically a four wheel alignment on a car such as ours is roughly $100 though I pay slightly more to people I know who will spend the time to make it perfect since I compete with the car.

 

Thank you fellas.
I knew there would be some racing guys to help me out.
Its appreciated.

 

For future reference, any time you change suspension components, it's a good idea to get an alignment done. That includes adjusting ride height (for all you lucky coilover guys).

 

And let's learn some terms:

Top of wheel leans inwards compared to the bottom:
NEGATIVE CHAMBER.

The opposite is POITIVE CHAMBER.

 

I've got to stop constantly agreeing with redrotorR1, it is becoming tedious.

Dave - just about all the alignment shops around us can do this rear alignment adjustment. I'm trying to think of a good one closer to you but I'm drawing a blank. I've had mine done in Manassas the last few times.

In fact, I think if you regularly autocross and track your car you should be checking the alignment maybe a couple of times during the season, particularly if your dumb *** girlfriend drives into a curb... but I digress.

 

Radial Tire in silver spring is supposed to be good...

And i'll chime in on the rest: yup... the rears are fully adjustable, as any good IRS car should be. You should have a little negative camber, and zero toe IIRC... Pettit has specs on their site, mine are set to "long track, 17 inch wheels"

 

Thanks for the tip homey
But you just entered the hall of shame.
Chamber? dont you mean camber?

But thank you. You did teach me something.
Scott, I dont let Leslie drive my car
Any of you guys going to rev it up this weekend at FedEX Field?

 

He also meant "POSITIVE" rather than "POITIVE". At least he only misspelled that one once

cewrx7r1, mo more three martini lunches. You slur!

 

Dave - I'll be at FedEx on Saturday all day. Racing at 10am and screwing around the rest of the time.

Peter - I use the same alignment specs, but I don't think Radial Tire does alignments. I bought my rear Toyo RA-1's from them last summer and IIRC I asked about getting an alignment and they referred me somewhere else.

Damon - You got something against three martini lunches???

 

Hmm... my bad, i had heard thats where all the MD guys go...

In that case, i got mine done at PBC in Chantilly (let me sit in the car), and breviously at the NTB in Chantilly.

 

I have to work Scott. I was planning on going up to Fed Ex on Sunday. Maybe I'll head up Saturday after work instead.
BTW, I bought a red Fd for a parts car. If you need something let me know. The parts are going fast.

-Dave

 

just take it to a freeken NTB if you have those. there cost is like $56 for a 4 wheel alignment, and they have some guarantee too.

 

NTB in my area is a joke.
I am taking it to get done today.
I tried to eyeball the rears and adjust them my self.

Whooa talk about scary.

 

I got my custom laser alignment done at PBC in Chantilly. They use a lift to set the car on stands rather than a rack so it's not a problem if it's really low. 18's were not a problem either. They let you watch and explain what all the alignment specs mean.

See ya at revitup tmw!