Does the MSP have a "kingpin"?

[Albert]

I just took my MSP in for an alignment after letting my springs settle. I took the TSB in with me in case they didn't have the specs for it. When I picked it up, they said that the specs I had were wrong, because the car doesn't have a kingpin, and that cars haven't used them for years. In the TSB it says that the kingpin angle should be 1259'. Needless to say, they used their own specs, which are for a 2002 Protege w/ 16" wheels.

I need to know if the MSP does indeed have a kingpin so I can go back and raise holy Hell with them and make them redo the alignment!

 

[MSP Pro]

No, Albert, the MSP does not have a kingpin. But, it does have a virtual kingpin angle. Obviously, the shop you went to doesn't have a clue. They can still set the toe in to the new specs shown in the TSB.

If I were you, I'd give them one chance to set the toe properly to your specs for no added charge. Should take them 15 minutes. If they can't / won't do it, then find another shop that will work with you. You can also have the suspension bolts loosened and the suspension "shaken down" to get more negative camber for better autox handling at the expense of more tire wear on the inner part of the tire. A good alignment shop should know what to do.

Good luck.