Alignment problems
05-26-11, 12:03 AM
#1
Alignment problems
About 2 years ago I lowered my '08 GS350 AWD on F-Sport spring. At that time my car had about 10K miles. The alignment was done at the same time and everything was withing specs, but barely.
Recently, at 31K miles, I replaced original 17-inch wheels with 18-inchers and put new tires, standard Lexus 18-inch size. My old tires were almost gone, but the inside edges were worn to the cord. So, I did the alignment. This time the camber/caster on the front was off, and we were unable to bring the front to specs: camber was little too negative on both sides, and caster on the right was lower then on the left. In addition, the car started pulling to the right, very slightly, but still annoying.
We tried increasing caster on the right, but that would push the negative camber toward more positive side, causing both wheels kind of lean to the right, which again caused light pull to the right.
Finally, my alignment guy, who is BTW an alignment God, suggested getting the camber kit, which I just ordered from Sewell. The part numbers are 48075-30040 and 48076-30050. Installing those two brackets should pull the left wheel to the rear and push the right one to the front, thus equalizing the casters on both sides.
Has anyone ever dealt with those kits? I used the search, found bunch of references to to them, but was unable to find anybody who actually had them installed. On the picture the bracket is colored orange.
Thanks.
Recently, at 31K miles, I replaced original 17-inch wheels with 18-inchers and put new tires, standard Lexus 18-inch size. My old tires were almost gone, but the inside edges were worn to the cord. So, I did the alignment. This time the camber/caster on the front was off, and we were unable to bring the front to specs: camber was little too negative on both sides, and caster on the right was lower then on the left. In addition, the car started pulling to the right, very slightly, but still annoying.
We tried increasing caster on the right, but that would push the negative camber toward more positive side, causing both wheels kind of lean to the right, which again caused light pull to the right.
Finally, my alignment guy, who is BTW an alignment God, suggested getting the camber kit, which I just ordered from Sewell. The part numbers are 48075-30040 and 48076-30050. Installing those two brackets should pull the left wheel to the rear and push the right one to the front, thus equalizing the casters on both sides.
Has anyone ever dealt with those kits? I used the search, found bunch of references to to them, but was unable to find anybody who actually had them installed. On the picture the bracket is colored orange.
Thanks.
05-26-11, 08:12 AM
#3
There are so many different variables that go into this. The springs could have settle lower, your shock might be wearing out. The car does not stay in alignment forever it need to be down often on lowered cars if you want to stay with in specs all the time. everytime you hit a hard bump or jack up the car the alignment gets thrown off.
05-26-11, 10:58 AM
#4
There are so many different variables that go into this. The springs could have settle lower, your shock might be wearing out. The car does not stay in alignment forever it need to be down often on lowered cars if you want to stay with in specs all the time. everytime you hit a hard bump or jack up the car the alignment gets thrown off.
Last edited by arnieosp; 06-04-11 at 06:12 PM.
06-04-11, 05:06 PM
#6
Well, since no one had any experience with those brackets, I will answer my own question. I ordered them from Sewell, $102 w/shipping for both, and installed them today. The installation was very easy, took me less then an hour in my garage. I took some pictures, but since I can only attach 5, I'll have to break the post into two.
Pictures:
1. Tools you need: 14mm, 17mm and 7/8 (fits better then 23mm), rachet, extension.
2. The driver side bracket.
3. Before I started.
4. Bolts and a nut removed.
5. The bracket removed.
Pictures:
1. Tools you need: 14mm, 17mm and 7/8 (fits better then 23mm), rachet, extension.
2. The driver side bracket.
3. Before I started.
4. Bolts and a nut removed.
5. The bracket removed.
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06-04-11, 05:15 PM
#8
Continuing:
6. Bolt inside the old bracket.
7. Bolt inside the new bracket (notice how it sits farhter from the edge).
8. New bracket in place before the bolts and the nut are tightend.
9. Driver side new bracket (no gap between the bracket and the steel subframe).
10. Passenger side new bracket (visible gap between the bracket and the steel subframe).
By replacing these brackets I created more negative camber on the right and less negative on the left, which pushed the right wheel to the front and pulled the left one to the rear. Now we have to just fine-tune caster adjustment. Back to the alignment shop Tuesday morning.
6. Bolt inside the old bracket.
7. Bolt inside the new bracket (notice how it sits farhter from the edge).
8. New bracket in place before the bolts and the nut are tightend.
9. Driver side new bracket (no gap between the bracket and the steel subframe).
10. Passenger side new bracket (visible gap between the bracket and the steel subframe).
By replacing these brackets I created more negative camber on the right and less negative on the left, which pushed the right wheel to the front and pulled the left one to the rear. Now we have to just fine-tune caster adjustment. Back to the alignment shop Tuesday morning.
Last edited by arnieosp; 06-04-11 at 05:30 PM.
06-04-11, 05:25 PM
#9
So, as far as I can tell, the only difference in these brackets is the position of one hole,where the bolt is. Lexus makes three different offsets for each side:
0 installed from the factory'
-20 optional
+20 optional
On this picture you can see two brackets from the driver side: old one with offset 0, and the new one with offset -20. So, my new brackets are -20 on the driver side and +20 on the passenger side.
0 installed from the factory'
-20 optional
+20 optional
On this picture you can see two brackets from the driver side: old one with offset 0, and the new one with offset -20. So, my new brackets are -20 on the driver side and +20 on the passenger side.
Last edited by arnieosp; 06-04-11 at 05:31 PM.
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