97 3.0 CL
Not Modified
80,300 miles

When I took my car in to be aligned, one mechanic told me that he couldn't do it because my alignment was so off that I needed to have adjustable ball joints installed just so he could do the alignment (the camber was -0.9 in the front), and the alignment was so bad in the back that the threads were showing on the insides of the back tires, so I needed new control arms...So I ordered the parts that he said I needed:

2 - 67165 SPC Performance Front Adjustable Ball Joints - $74.98 ea
2 - 67065 SPC Performance EZ Arms XR(tm) Rear Camber Control Arms - $76.98

Then, I took my car to another mechanic this weekend and he told me that he didn't need those parts to do the alignment on my car. So I got my alignment done without the parts, and my car drives fine now, except it still goes to the right after a few seconds...

I don't know which mechanic was wrong -- the first or the second. Of course, I am happy that I didn't have to use the parts, so I can return them, but why would the first mechanic say that I needed all that stuff then?

Maybe you guys can help me out, because I am really confused...And if anyone wants to buy these parts from me, I'll give it to you for how much I paid, plus shipping...

 

Why didn't you go for a third, or even a fouth opinion?

 

 

I called an Acura specialist and they said that the first mechanic should have been able to align the car without the special parts, if they'd adjusted the caster and toe as well...He said the parts should only be put on the car AFTER it's been aligned...I think I'm more confused...

 

the front camber wasent off by that much. i think the max allowed is .5+/- but theres almost nothin u can do about that except get a camber kit. the drifting after a while is prolly cause of the crest in the road. if they put it in within specs then it should be ok. i wouldnt put those parts in unless u really wanted to.

 

my car is lowered with a pro kit and they aligned it just fine. that dude was just trying to get some extra work to make more money.

 

Thanks for all your input, guys...You've really helped me out!

 

I went to firestone to align my car last week and they told me the same thing. Right front ball joint needs to be changed to align right. The guy said he can align the car but car will lose allign so easy and I need to get it done again.

 

all you need is a front and rear camber kit

thats it

ball joints only shoudl be replaced when they go bad not for an alignment, theya re trying to squeeze some money out of ya bro