Since I wore out both front tires at the last TSCC event on the INSIDE
(BFG R1s, and I mean toward the inside edge of the tread portion) I
decided to go to a "professional" to get my alignment done. I know how to
set toe on this thing but hadn't had a chance to do it since I put in the
"new" steering rack. I know, a big no-no.
Anyhow, I take it to the local Merchant's, which is the only place in
town with both a computerized alignment bench AND a manager I know
personally.
Unfortunately that doesn't seem to help. The first problem was when I
was describing the unusual wear I got on my "race" tires. "Oh, you race
it, eh? Have you modified the suspension?" "Well, the springs are 1"
lower and I have different bushing material" "Well, we can't guarantee
our work, then". "Just set it to 0 toe, thanks".
Two hours later (there's always a backlog at this place) I get my car
back. The steering wheel is cocked in a different direction so I know
they adjusted >something<... but the computer printout indicates:
"0 toe before, 0 after" (1/32" spec, but I specified 0)
"0 caster before, 0 after" (5.0-7.2 degrees spec)
"-0.9/-1.5 camber before, -0.9/-1.9 camber after (0.9-1.1 spec!)
My questions are:
1) Did they do anything, or is the computer/computer operator on drugs?
2) I thought there was no camber adjustment on the B, why did it change
before/after?
3) Negative camber, is that where the tops of the wheels are closer than
the bottoms (good for autocross), which also might contribute to inside
wear? Do they really want positive camber for street use?
4) There's a notation "Thrust angle alignment", what's that?
And:
a) Is there a better way of getting a "professional" but
autocross-oriented alignment? I don't mind doing it myself but don't
want to start with things out of whack and make it worse.
b) Did I waste all this time and money, and really just scrape the tires
somehow by turning the wheel too far?
Thanks for any input.
John M. Trindle | jtrindle@tsquare.com | Tidewater Sports Car Club
'73 MGB DSP | '69 Spitfire E Stock | '88 RX-7 C Stock
Home Page: http://www.widomaker.com/~trindle
"Things are more like they used to be than they are now."
|