Need Alignment help

[SML]

My 2006 Mazda5 has some alignment problems. I had some new tires put on at less Schwab and had the alignment check. I was off on the right front and left rear but they were unable to fix it. I am not great on this and wondered if any of you know what needs to be done and if I can do it and take it back for to get aligned. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[negusm]

My gut says your car was in an accident at some point in its life and that's why they can't correct it and they don't want to deal with it.

Looking at the diagram, and this is totally a guess, but your car was tweaked in an accident that hit the corner and racked the geometry. That's why the corners are off.

 

[SML]

I don't doubt it at all. We have had it a few years, and my kids have used it. Probably not something too be fixed I am guessing. I won't be spending a lot of money on good tires I suppose.

 

[Silentnoise713]

Front:
Lift the front high enough to relieve spring preload, loosen the top 3 mounting bolts and have someone apply pressure pushing in at the BOTTOM of wheel, you retighten. There's enough slack to slightly alter camber. Also, if you installed aftermarket struts (likely for '06), ensure the strut housing is NOT deeply inserted into the knuckle; push it up slightly before tightening the knuckle bolt to gain some height. Other then these options, there's no way to adjust camber/caster on OEM setup. There are no aftermarket adjustable camber plates avail for stock Mz5 strut. I vague recall coming across a shop that offer something custom but it is not financially sensible.

Rear:
You'll need to buy adjustable rear upper control arm (alignment guy/gal will hate you). Search old posts. Nice to also have adjustable rear lower lateral link but not necessary.

Not all alignment shops are equal. The tech may be trained to use the machine but does not indicate they are experienced/knowledgeable with you make/model.

 

[SML]

Front:
Lift the front high enough to relieve spring preload, loosen the top 3 mounting bolts and have someone apply pressure pushing in at the BOTTOM of wheel, you retighten. There's enough slack to slightly alter camber. Also, if you installed aftermarket struts (likely for '06), ensure the strut housing is NOT deeply inserted into the knuckle; push it up slightly before tightening the knuckle bolt to gain some height. Other then these options, there's no way to adjust camber/caster on OEM setup. There are no aftermarket adjustable camber plates avail for stock Mz5 strut. I vague recall coming across a shop that offer something custom but it is not financially sensible.

Rear:
You'll need to buy adjustable rear upper control arm (alignment guy/gal will hate you). Search old posts. Nice to also have adjustable rear lower lateral link but not necessary.

Not all alignment shops are equal. The tech may be trained to use the machine but does not indicate they are experienced/knowledgeable with you make/model.

Thank you so much. I will try this. I did see some or the rear adjustable upper control arms so I will pick one up. I had the car to les Schwab and they do a good job but you're right, I wouldn't expect anything out of the box for them. I remember seeing a local performance suspension place so I will search for them.

 

[Maikel]

It doesn't always have to be a crashed car.
Could be just wear and tear, or some "not so good" aftermarket parts.

Not all alignment shops are equal. The tech may be trained to use the machine but does not indicate they are experienced/knowledgeable with you make/model.

Yes, and seems that in many times they just look the colours, if it's green, it's OK and red is very bad and alarming.
Looking those rear values, left camber just gotten to red.
But I would say that toe in/out values are more way off. Left is toeing heavily out and right is toeing in.

 

[Silentnoise713]

But I would say that toe in/out values are more way off. Left is toeing heavily out and right is toeing in.

Yeah, that is the first "red" flag. They should at least be able to get toe dialed in to be closer in value. I find it is helpful if you go in telling them: I want the front and rear toe to be at X degree and hold them to it. Otherwise, technically, they are right b/c it is within the "green" specify range... Thrust angle matters most but we can't see how they may change due to his camber being way out of spec.

L

Post in thread 'What are your alignment specs?'

Apr 10, 2014

Here is my alignment after installing Megan Racing Lowering Springs, adjustable rear camber links and the Tri-Point Engineering rear sway bar. I have only put approx 1000 miles on it since. I am happy with this set-up. I set the rear measurements to attempt to minimize rear tire wear and retain rear handling characteristics.

• loosenut

See loosenut's post 4, which has factory ranges. He is a mech.