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got an alignment but...

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Old 04-19-08, 10:34 AM
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SC300_704
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Default got an alignment but...

first off, i already have the Daizen camber correction kit..just went for an alignment today, got my steering wheel straight and all now but when i'm driving on the interstate and if i let off of the steering wheel it slightly merge to the right and i'm sure it was on a smooth surface..on the front driverside wheel i still notice it not being perfectly straight vertically, did the mechanic not do the alignment right?!
Old 04-19-08, 11:35 AM
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TheMole
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Could be a number of things, but here are a few off the top of my head:

Do your tires have any camber wear?
Worn lower control arm bushings.
Worn steering rack bushings.

Bring it back to the alignment place and ask them to re-check it.
Old 04-19-08, 11:48 AM
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Originally Posted by sc300max
Could be a number of things, but here are a few off the top of my head:

Do your tires have any camber wear?
Worn lower control arm bushings.
Worn steering rack bushings.

Bring it back to the alignment place and ask them to re-check it.
bought the tires used and didn't have any camber wear..and was installed in the fronts the same day it got an alignment. yeah, my lca bushings are all worn out and forgot to say that i also replaced the steering rack bushings w/ Daizens less than 500 miles ago..i guess it could be b/c of the lca bushings

Last edited by SC300_704; 04-19-08 at 12:20 PM.
Old 04-19-08, 12:33 PM
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andrewwake
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most likely the lca bushings. how was the crown on the road? it may have seemed flat, but the water needs to run down somehow.
Old 04-19-08, 05:55 PM
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mobilyte
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the shop should have provided a printout with before and after alignment specs...
Old 04-19-08, 06:22 PM
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LEXpert
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how wide are your front tires?
Old 04-19-08, 07:02 PM
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SC300_704
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Originally Posted by LEXpert
how wide are your front tires?
the fronts are 235/45/17..
Old 04-19-08, 07:06 PM
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^in that case never mind
as you may or may not know, wide front tires have a lot more tendency to pull, but 235 is nothing ridiculous at all, so no worries there.

if you have a print out, scan or take a picture of it, and maybe we can all figure it out.
Old 04-19-08, 07:25 PM
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SC300_704
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Originally Posted by LEXpert
^in that case never mind
as you may or may not know, wide front tires have a lot more tendency to pull, but 235 is nothing ridiculous at all, so no worries there.

if you have a print out, scan or take a picture of it, and maybe we can all figure it out.
to bad i don't have the print out..i have never gotten a print out in all the cars i've took to get an alignment...
Old 04-19-08, 07:49 PM
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i always get before and after printouts. btw you dont want your tire perfectly vertical. you do want some camber.

lca are the culprit i think.
Old 04-19-08, 08:59 PM
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I'm surprised they even did an alignment without checking the suspension parts.

At Sears we don't even do the alignment if you have worn parts that effect alignment like steering rack bushings, control arm bushings, tie rods, etc.

If you have any play in your wheels, your car will pull with or without an alignment.
Old 04-19-08, 09:40 PM
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i go to sears for alignment all the time. the guy that does it is old-school and use to race. he has been doing my cars for last 3 years. at first i would ask him what i should do so alignment specs for performance driving and he would talk about it. he was very meticulous too. im actually going there tomorrow to do my sc300. going with some custom specs

the guys there always check all suspension components first and if you have anything bad they will tell you. they wont do an alignment with out everything being right. its pointless to do it if your bushings are shop.

honestly sears is hit or miss for me but this one by me has always come through for alignment. i dont use them for anything else really. i do all the work myself.
Old 04-21-08, 11:22 AM
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SC300_704
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to bad the sears in my city or any near city don't even have the automotive section, i only go there to buy some tools...
Old 04-23-08, 09:55 AM
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czarli
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any one knows where I can get LCA bushings? I have the same problem and a lot of bump steer...thanks in advance
Old 04-23-08, 03:49 PM
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Originally Posted by czarli
any one knows where I can get LCA bushings? I have the same problem and a lot of bump steer...thanks in advance
How many miles are on your car?

Might make a lot more sense to just get new arms. That way you won't have to worry about labor for changing just the bushings, and depending on the age of your car your ball joints might be shot too. There's a write up on replacing the LCA's and it's as easy as 3 bolts each side.

93-96 supra LCA's are the way to go. 214 a piece.


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