Lore

Hey all,

The A-Spec installation PDF states these specifications for alignment:

Fronts:
Camber: - 0 degs 30' +- 30'
Caster: 3 degs 17' +- 45 degs
Toe: 0mm +- 2mm

Rears:
Camber: - 1 deg 00' +- 30'
Caster: N/A
Toe: in 2mm +- 2mm

However, I got a handout from the dealership that says the 04 TL should use these settings:
Front:
Camber: -0 degs 40' +- 30'
Caster: 3 deg 17' +- 45 degs
Toe: 0mm +- 2mm

Rear:
Camber: -1 deg 20' +- 30'
Caster: N/A
Toe: 2mm +- 2mm

Why is there a difference in the camber between these two sheets? Can anyone who's had the A-Spec suspension installed comment on what specs they used?

260 HP

iTrader: (3)

Lore, looks like the handout the dealership gave you is for stock suspension, not A-spec. That's why it specifies for more positive camber, front and back. It's just my guess, though.

However, the camber is not adjustable anyway, so you're pretty much stuck to what your car measures on the rack after the suspension install.

Lore

Actually the handout has an preface saying that if you're trying to align a customer's car with sports suspension, it's different than what the service manual states so please use these numbers. It sounds like it came from Acura directly to the dealers. It lists both the RSX 04 and the TL 04.

260 HP

iTrader: (3)

Hmm, that's weird. Does the service manual contain alignment setting as well? Anybody??

SK7

when you lower you car, you need more negative camber on the rear to help with the cornering.

dsc888

I don't think you really "need" more negative camber whether the car is lowered or not. It's just that all suspension setups will increase its negative camber when the vehicle is lowered or loaded with people or cargo. It's a geometry thing. The increased camber values per Acura is to let the techs know what the expected increased should be after installing the A-Spec suspension so the the tech won't try to adjust it although such adjustment is next to nil.

dsc888

Lore

Does anyone else have any feedback about this discrepancy? For those of you with A-Spec suspension kits, what specifications were used to align your wheels?

Randy

Like someone else stated before..you can not adjust camber anyways unless you get a camber kit...otherwise just do it to factory settings. I'll check tomorrow at work to see which is right

Lore

Thanks Randy! (Yes, I was aware of the non-adjustable camber, but the two spec sheets still seem odd).

I thought camber was adjustable in the fronts?

260 HP

iTrader: (3)

Lore, have you called another dealership and verified which spec they use?

And both front and back camber are not adjustable.

Lore

No I have not. Would someone mind doing that for me? I'm swamped at work today.

Randy

you're so swamped at work that your're here??

thaita78

I just had the dealer installed my aspec suspension kit, and they ran it through the alignment machine, according to the service rep, he said it does align a little more on the negative side because of the lowering of the suspension. I didn't get a read out, but I may go to a tire shop this weekend and run it through an alignment check and see what numbers come up.

RjS

Was this question ever answered? Thanks

1995hoo

Thanks for this thread. I do not have the A-Spec and have not lowered my car, but when I had it aligned at the dealer this week they claimed that the rear camber was in the "red" range but was unadjustable; the fellow theorized that maybe I had hit a bad bump or pothole. (Which I hadn't.....drove over some very bumpy and pockmarked roads this winter, and some of the streets in DC are always bad, but I hadn't hit anything hard.) I gather that I should not worry about it and should just keep an eye on the tyre wear and rotate regularly. Makes me wonder if his machine was set for an earlier generation TL or something.

I love this forum precisely because of threads like this one.

Lore

I'm due for an alignment on my car -- just got new tires and would hate to wear them out prematurely -- and I'm still looking for the new and improved A-Spec suspension alignment specifications.

If anyone has any information, please do share!

Lore

By the way, I'm curious if anyone with the A-Spec suspension has had to install the bump stops?

chill_dog

I've always used the specs listed at the end of the install instructions, and I've never had a problem with uneven tire wear.

I thought the bump stops were only for the stock suspension . Either way, the dealer has never said anything to me about them...guess it's a case of "if it ain't broke..." since I have never had tire wear issues. Still, thought that only applied to the stock set up.

Lore

Do you load your backseat/trunk often? I think the issues come up only when you have passengers in your backseat or cargo in your trunk.

chill_dog

I've loaded my car up once or twice in two years. You're right that the issue was caused with having passengers in the back often or loading down the trunk; however, I still think the fix was only for the stock set up. Check out the SERVICE BULLETIN...the first paragraph on page 2 says the suspension must not be modified and the second paragraph lists other exclusions from the TSB. I take that to mean the problem and fix only apply to the stock coilovers on non-navi 5AT cars. Now, whether that means everyone else is ok or SOL, I have no idea, but I doubt you'll get them to install the bump stops given what it says.

Have you contacted your dealer recently to see what specs they say are for the ASPEC suspension?