so my girls car had horrible alignment in the back and it totally ate through the inside of the rear tires, blowing one out. Beforehand the car shook at high speeds, but it was one of those put it off type of things to get the alignment fixed until the tire mishap. So we took it in and got an alignment done when we got the tires replaced.

when we get it back the shaking isn't as bad, but its still there. So I'm checking the printout the shop gave us. Here's what it says for the rear.

Camber (left):
Initial: -0.9 deg
Spec: -1.7 to 0.2 deg
Final: -1.1 deg

Camber (right):
Initial: -0.2 deg
Spec: -1.7 to 0.2 deg
Final: -0.2 deg

Toe (left):
Initial: -0.15 deg
Spec: 0.10 to 0.3 deg
Final: 0.25 deg

Toe (right):
Initial: -.85 deg
Spec: 0.10 to 0.30 deg
Final: 0.25 deg

Toe (total):
Initial: -1.00 deg
Spec: 0.20 to 0.60 deg
Final: 0.50 deg

clearly the toe and camber were off, and it seems the toe problem was fixed. What gets me is the camber on the left tire, why would it be adjusted that way (more negative) while the camber on the right was left in a more neutral spec within the spec range? Did this guy even do his job correctly or was he screwing my g/f? Could it be possible that he's compensating for something else that could be wrong with the car?

9/25/2006 11:19:22 PM

I'm going to include the front as well.

Caster (left):
Initial: 1.7 deg
Spec: 0.6 to 2.1 deg
Final: 1.7

Caster (right):
Initial: 2.0 deg
Spec: 0.6 to 2.1 deg
Final: 2.0 deg

Camber (left):
Initial: 0.2 deg
Spec: -0.9 to 0.6 deg
Final: 0.0

Camber (right):
Initial: 0.4 deg
Spec: -0.9 to 0.6 deg
Final: 0.5 deg

Toe (left):
Initial: -0.30 deg
Spec: -0.05 to 0.15 deg
Final: 0.05 deg

Toe (right):
Initial: 0.10 deg
Spec: -0.05 to 0.15 deg
Final: 0.05 deg

Toe (total):
Initial: -0.20 deg
Spec: -0.10 to 0.30 deg
Final: 0.10 deg


if anybody has any experience with alignments and stuff and could help i'd really appreciate it. She plan on doing a lot of highway driving and I don't know if I feel safe with her traveling with the possibility of another blowout because the shop didn't do their job correctly.

[Edited on September 26, 2006 at 12:13 AM. Reason : .]

9/26/2006 12:01:40 AM

the alignment specs look fine. the vibration is most likely a bent rim or out of balance/round tire.

what is the year make model?

9/26/2006 8:33:13 AM

rear camber wasnt adjusted.

what kinda car?

they set the toe and let it go. on some cars one adjustment changes others, likely the reason for your camber change.

the shaking condition described couldnt be alignment related. you have other problems causing that, perhaps rim bent, hub runout, balance, etc...

9/26/2006 8:35:24 AM

its a 2000 chevy prizm.

so even though the rear camber wasn't messed with really thats not the cause of the vibration?

should she just go in and have them check all the rims and balance on the tires?

[Edited on September 26, 2006 at 10:40 AM. Reason : ,]

9/26/2006 10:36:19 AM

yeah, just go in and ask for the rims/tires to be checked for straightness/balance

9/26/2006 10:49:15 AM

chances are she'll have to get new tires huh?

9/26/2006 10:50:39 AM

If need to do an alignment, its usually best to get the tires balanced while you're there. Balance them first, shouldnt cost more than 40 for all four, though I can find places that will do oversize tires for 20. You'd only really need to replace the tires if they are worn down unevenly real bad.

[Edited on September 26, 2006 at 11:08 AM. Reason : b]

9/26/2006 11:06:31 AM

when the rear (now front tires) were replaced before the front (now rear tires) still had some tread on them. But they weren't checked for balance or anything like that, which is totally possible considering the steering wheel shook and whatnot beforehand as well as vibration from the rear. Now it just seems like the vibration is from the rear, the front seems fine. The new tires are up front now so thats expected.

I'll get them to check the tires and rims. If there's something like uneven wear i'll get them to replace the tires.

[Edited on September 26, 2006 at 11:54 AM. Reason : ,]

9/26/2006 11:52:59 AM

steering wheel shaking generally indicates a tire/wheel problem as the source of the ride disturbance.

balance issues are generally isolated to a 10 or 15 mph window, eg, you feel it from 45-60 mph but nowhere else. unless multiple tires are causing disturbance, then its anyones guess as to when and how long you feel it.

9/26/2006 12:14:58 PM

well since we rotated the new tires to the front the wheel shake is gone.

the rear just vibrates.

I'm headed off to greenville to take care of this shit for her.

thanks for the help guys.

9/26/2006 12:28:39 PM