Anyone know how the caster could have changed to +6.6 degrees on both front wheels, a difference of 2.6 degrees from the time I installed the A-Spec and now? We had a storm that dropped about 12" of snow on the ground. Everyone and their moms installed chains and turned the packed snow into icy choppy terrain. The bumps were about 1-2 inches in height. I drove maybe 1-2 miles at15mph through this. Could this have bent something enough to affect caster putting it out of spec? Also, if I did bend something, how did it bend so evenly making both sides 6.6 degrees. Firestone said nothing when I picked it up so they're not concerned.

I'm guessing it might be aligner error. Anyone have any ideas? +6.6 degrees is good for straight line stability though I guess...

Yesterday's alignment specs:


Old Alignment Specs done after A-Spec Suspension install 2 months ago:

 

I highly doubt it since they are both out of evenly out of spec. You don't notice any pull to either side do you?

 

Nothing. It drives perfectly. I'm beginning to think they hooked the alignment computer up wrong.

 

caster is an imaginary vertical line from the ground thru the center of the hub and up to infinity
the angle is referanced to that imaginary line

Pretty strange for it to be off like that at all, if it is something has usually bent,
I would have the shop double check it, look for DAMAGE, and their machines self testing done. Your a regular--- who isnt looking for a free alignment- just confirmation everything is good to go

They cant sell you a part to adjust caster, so they dont say anything!!
If the Camber too far neg, they can fix that!!
toe- made to do on any TL front/rear

 

You have bent suspension compenents,you should be able to get caster in spec by adjusting the subframe.

 

how long did you let the suspension settle after the install?

 

I'll have the alignment done again in a few months. I'm pretty sure they did not measure it correctly. Had it been 3 degrees on one side and 6.6 on another. The roads I went through we no worse than an choppy dirt road. There were no potholes or anything. Just very bumpy terrain for any stiff suspension. I've had the suspension on for 2 months. I'm sure the icy bumpy roads help break them in. So far, the height is perfect for me:

 

For perfect algnment should the front be camber -.05 then the rear should be at -1.0 ?

 

Camber can't be adjusted unless you have a camber kit installed. The specs you listed above would be camber you'd see on a stock TL without modifications. Toe is more important than camber though as far as tire wear. More negative camber will allow you to corner better.

My roommate had his IS250 AWD aligned today at the same shop. The printout looks different like it was done on a different machine or they got a new machine altogether. Can anyone answer this question? Here's the printout:

Camber can't be adjusted unless you have a camber kit installed. The specs you listed above would be camber you'd see on a stock TL without modifications. Toe is more important than camber though as far as tire wear. More negative camber will allow you to corner better.

My roommate had his IS250 AWD aligned today at the same shop. The printout looks different like it was done on a different machine. Can anyone tell me if this is different machine?

 

Nevermind. I answered my own question. Scheduled an appointment for tomorrow to have the steering wheel centered as the last 2 alignments have caused my steering wheel to be 5 degrees to the right while driving straight as they didn't make sure to straighten the wheel before adjusting the toes.

The technician told me the caster is okay and that their machine has been a little glitchy lately and has been giving strange caster readings when he swings it which goes back to machine error and not my car having issues.

 

u say the caster cant be adjusted? the tire shop i went to said they were going to adjust the rear caster wtf is up with that?

 

yea they cant adjust caster only toe and camber if you get a camber kit otherwise the TL's only have toe adjustments

 

yup... Murph145 hit it on the head.