Alignment

[BlueStreak]

I went to the dealer for my 60K check-up and they told me the back wheels were out of alignment. Since I had just put the Firehawks on and they did alignment I said I would take it back to them for the fix. Firestone store tells me there is no adjusment for the rear. Can someone help me out here, and tell me who I should trust?

[Doug Allen]

I am unaware of any alignment issues with the rear axle, with a possible exception being worn bushings causing the axle to move.

In the old days, the culprit was usually a broken center pin, causing the rear axle to shift on leaf spring equipped vehicles.

[Focks]

I believe the "Rear Alignment" is used when the dealership wants to stick it to the customer for extra non-usage charges.

[BlueStreak]

The dealer has a device in their entry drive which the service writer drives the vehicle over and a computer tells them if the alignment is good or bad by wheel. This said both the rears were out and the front was good. Think I should ignore this based on the Firestone comments after they rechecked the vehicle?

[RUN ROD RUN]

look underneath and see if either the upper or lower control arm is bunt.

[abadssr]

the rears are kept in proper alignment by the bushings and as of yet we only have the junk factory rubber one we can use . If you contact norcalss he has a set of fully adjustable ones.upper and lowers wiyh urethane bushings

[RUN ROD RUN]

Originally Posted by abadssr

the rears are kept in proper alignment by the bushings and as of yet we only have the junk factory rubber one we can use . If you contact norcalss he has a set of fully adjustable ones.upper and lowers wiyh urethane bushings

ebay seller spohnperformance also sells them.

[Big Blue Ox]

Rears need to be aligned too, for proper wear. I did mine twice, once when I changed the brand of tire, and once after my head-on. I did not realign when replacing the rear with the same new tire.

Once it is right, it should stay that way. I'd want to know why it's off.

If you don't trust the dealer, go independent, or get another dealer for your service.

[AusTexKid]

Originally Posted by Focks

I believe the "Rear Alignment" is used when the dealership wants to stick it to the customer for extra non-usage charges.

I think this is the correct answer. I have had the rear suspension and rear end out of my SSR twice. I can assure you that there is no adjustment provided for "aligning" the rear suspension. Only a bent control arm or a REALLY bad rubber bushing could change the alignment set at the factory.

That having been said, I would recommend that you DO take a look at the 2 upper control arms just to be sure. The lowers will be fine but the uppers are a cheesy stamped-metal piece that will bend, especially after some hard hooked-up launches. Both of mine were "tweaked" when I removed them to put on the much stronger BMR control arms with the poly bushings in them. But this was after numerous hard launches at the drag strip. Under normal driving conditions they should be fine. If the uppers are OK then you are good to go. And I'd use a different dealer next time.

[abadssr]

How Do You Like The Bmr Arms

[TommyB]

Dwight,take your truck here after work.

Bear Frame & Wheel
Address: 143 W Arrow Hwy, Glendora, CA 91740
Phone: (626) 335-0243

Just a few miles from your work.My family has been using these guys for generations.They correct everything after I lower things (including my SSR).I've lost count how many times I've used them.Perfect results everytime.Usually they can do your alignment while you wait.

[hdflstf]

Rear can be out of alignment. Problem is no adjustments built into the SSR and most other vehicles. Bushings are of course the first suspect.

But before we jump to too many conclusions... exactly what measurement was supposedly out of spec? And by how much?

[Topspin]

I have seen bent or warped axle tubes that will cause a toe in or out condition on the rear tires. It can also happen in a vertical direction, and that takes a camber measurement to detect it.

[RUN ROD RUN]

Originally Posted by TommyB

Dwight,take your truck here after work.

Bear Frame & Wheel
Address: 143 W Arrow Hwy, Glendora, CA 91740
Phone: (626) 335-0243

Just a few miles from your work.My family has been using these guys for generations.They correct everything after I lower things (including my SSR).I've lost count how many times I've used them.Perfect results everytime.Usually they can do your alignment while you wait.

Another option Dwight, next time you come up this way to have lunch with us retiree, you might like to go to the same shop us retiree go too. It an independently own one man shop here in town.
Camarillo Brake & Alignment
270 North Aviador Street
Camarillo (805) 987-5620.
Been in business 20 - 25 years and the owner a great guy to deal with. If one of us is getting alignment done, you can count on all the other retiree to be there.

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by TommyB

Dwight,take your truck here after work.

Bear Frame & Wheel
Address: 143 W Arrow Hwy, Glendora, CA 91740
Phone: (626) 335-0243

Just a few miles from your work.My family has been using these guys for generations.They correct everything after I lower things (including my SSR).I've lost count how many times I've used them.Perfect results everytime.Usually they can do your alignment while you wait.

Thanks TommyB,
I guess you have not been following my career since you sold the R. I retired in May so I do not get out there as often. I will be there this week though and will stop in and see what they say.
Dwight

PS Retirement, you should try it

[TommyB]

Well didn't mean to neglect my SSR amigos.My Corvette buddies have gotten the same treatment. With all this "house stuff" the past few months I didnt get online much.Unless it was to look for houses.But now that I'm moved and settled I'll be around more often.

Best wishes with the retirement.....I have only 20 years to go to get there.