can anyone explain why my alignment is like this?

[spyghost]

hi,

got an alignment this afternoon.

new shocks, new springs, bearing type strut mounts perfectly ok

front:
caster lh 3.5
caster rh 2.7
camber lh 0
camber rh 0
toe lh 0
toe rh 0

rear:
camber lh -0.7
camber rh -0.7
toe lh 0.15
toe rh 0.15

thrust angle 0

can anyone explain the possible cause of why caster is like that above? left caster is within tolerable range, but right caster is way out of range

[niky]

You hit something hard enough with the right tire to either bend the strut or knock the shock mount out of alignment... or something is loose and needs replacement.

[jick.cejoco]

what vehicle is this? make, model, year? what type of front suspension?

[jumz666]

I think i have the same problem..Distance of the the tire from the fender is lower on the left side.I thought the problem we're the coil springs.Installed new one's but still has the same problem.Is this also connected with caster alignment.If so, what are possible solutions to this problem?? This problem is on my 98 civic vti..Please please please anyone help me out.

[niky]

I think i have the same problem..Distance of the the tire from the fender is lower on the left side.I thought the problem we're the coil springs.Installed new one's but still has the same problem.Is this also connected with caster alignment.If so, what are possible solutions to this problem?? This problem is on my 98 civic vti..Please please please anyone help me out.

From what I know, that's normal for that kind of Civic... they're built to Japanese spec, where the driver is on the right, so left-hand drive Civics sit with the right side slightly higher.

You can check the Honda Club Philippines board for a more detailed explanation of how this is... I don't personally know if it's the spring, the spring mount or something else.

[jumz666]

It wouldn't be a problem if it was "SLIGHTLY" higher but the things is there's about 2-3 inches difference & i can tell most of the weight of the car is on the left side..When conrnering at curves or hitting pot holes having 3-4 passengers on my car the left rear tire gets hit & grinds the fender while the right side doesn't experience that problem..What really sucks is i've bin spending money by trying to get this fixed but still no progress.I changed coil springs, shock absorbers, bushings already coz according to the mechanics these are the most common solutions to the cars problem.I really believe the alignment is off but i don't know w/c part to align.

[niky]

It wouldn't be a problem if it was "SLIGHTLY" higher but the things is there's about 2-3 inches difference & i can tell most of the weight of the car is on the left side..When conrnering at curves or hitting pot holes having 3-4 passengers on my car the left rear tire gets hit & grinds the fender while the right side doesn't experience that problem..What really sucks is i've bin spending money by trying to get this fixed but still no progress.I changed coil springs, shock absorbers, bushings already coz according to the mechanics these are the most common solutions to the cars problem.I really believe the alignment is off but i don't know w/c part to align.

If the height difference is that far off, and the car bottoms out even with new shocks and springs, there is something physically deformed on the car. No amount of 'alignment' will cause a height difference like that. The best you can do is take out your rear suspension and see if the mounts are straight or take it to a shop that does chassis alignment (like Velocity Motors in Shaw Blvd) and ask them to check. Be warned: Chassis alignment costs a lot.

[jumz666]

How much exactly is "a lot"? I heard there's no way to adjust caster for honda's too, or is there? I'd really want to sell my car that's why i wanted to get this problem fixed before i sell it para hindi nman kawawa yung bibili.

[niky]

How much exactly is "a lot"? I heard there's no way to adjust caster for honda's too, or is there? I'd really want to sell my car that's why i wanted to get this problem fixed before i sell it para hindi nman kawawa yung bibili.

Around 20k or so, not sure. I inquired a loooong time ago.

The only other way to adjust the caster is to find a secondhand shock absorber (preferably blown beyond repair), stick it in the strut mount, and pound on it till the caster is right.


Or you could scour online for caster/camber plates. But I don't think you'll want to be buying performance mods for a car you're planning to sell.

[spyghost]

what vehicle is this? make, model, year? what type of front suspension?

car is mitsubishi lancer 2000 (ck) aka pizza.

front suspension is macpherson

[jick.cejoco]

car is mitsubishi lancer 2000 (ck) aka pizza.

front suspension is macpherson

check the length of the control arm strut rod and check the strut rod bushings for wear, softening due to oil contamination. if the vehicle had been subjected to considerable impact, have the chassis pull-aligned first then have the caster adjusted using the strut rod length