98 Q45 alignment question

[Levi]

I purchased a 98 Q45 118,000 this week. The car drives straight but the steering wheel is cocked 1/8 a turn to the left. I had a mechanic check the car out before I purchased it who told me the car seemed to be structurally sound and he could not find any signs of an accident. I took it to the Nissan Dealership in Ogden, UT to get it aligned. The service tech called me to ask if the car had hit a curb because it was pulling to the right after the tech alligned it. The allignment tech could not find any stuctural damage but he was not sure if the suspension parts were bent. He switched the two front wheels and still could not discern what is causing it. Nissan didnt offer me a fix and other than changing the struts in the rear and nothing on fixing the front. They said a bad wheel may be causing the front problem but I just purchased 4 new michelin 60/215/16 VRs. Nissan acted like they did not want to troubleshoot the problem. Here are the alignment results:

Front Left actual-1.4 Camber 6.0 Caster.09 Toe14.0 SAIIncluded Angle 12.7

Front Left before-1.4 Camber6.0 Caster.013 Toe14.1 SAIIncluded Angle 12.7

Front Right actual.3 Camber6.7 Caster.08 Toe12.6 SAI12.9 Included angle

Front right before.2 Camber6.7 Caster.18 ToeSAI 12.6Included Angle 12.9

Rear left actual-2.2 Camber.10 Toe

Rear Left Before-2.2 Camber.13 Toe

Rear right actual0.1 Camber.10 Toe

Rear right before.1 camber.11 Toe

How would you fix this problem? I have changed out the suspension on a 91 G20, 96 Cadillac Deville and have no problem tackling another suspension.

[maxnix]

Seems like the alignment wasperformed to a "close is good enough" standard.

Better inspect all the rubber wear parts, besides teh components.

It would be nice if you coule acquaint us with the previous maintenance history wiht regard to the suspension.

If the struts were replaced as they should have been, were all the rubber components replaced, including the front strut bearings?

This post will probably be moved to IOM where it belongs.

Welcome to our forum.

[elwesso]

For some reason it looks like the camber in the front is way off... -1.4 to + .2 will definitely cause a pull!

Does one side seem to sit lower?

[Q45tech]

All parameters must be precisely equal side to side if perfection is required [hint they don't arrive in US perfect].............even 0.25 degree camber/caster error left to right will cause a drift.

Used cars are used and after accidents are NEVER returned to perfect as that might double/triple the cost of repairs..............just good enough so the average idiot doesn't notice the problems.

When you have an insurance repair how many of you hire and pay from your own pocket a consultant to watch and oversee the repair shop...........doesn't happen so they try to please the one who's paying -- the insurance company!

Half the seriously damaged repaired cars on the road should have probably been totalled and junked.

[Q45tech]

It only takes an 1/8" error to create 1.0 degrees of camber.

Shock tower metal can bend during a curb impact, so after you replace every thing on the bad side you measure alignment. If still out, you may have to bend tweek the frame sheet metal mounting points.

The insurance company only has to return it to in spec unless you have a recent alignment print out PROVING it was better than in spec just before accident .

[Levi]

Both sides of the car sit level a have the same measurements left and right. I am going to pull off the front right wheel and inpect.

[BadQ45t]

With that amount of mileage on the car for sure you shocks/struts are history, your on mush and you don't even know it. Also the control arms have rubber bushings on the ends and they are worn out usually by 75k, I would replace all shocks and struts, get the end links on the control arms checked, chances are they need replacing, than get the aligment done.

The Struts and shocks replacement you have little choice, either you go OEM or you'll have to find Onetongrage on this board to get you some very expensive but very nice KYB SR Specials from Japan. There are zero choices for aftermarket stuff, not even crappy Monroe makes a replacement for our years.

I would say your chasing around a meaningless thing until you address these issues, there are lots of other rubber parts along the way you might want to replace on the way. If you go OEM everythinginfiniti is Scotsdale Infinit and mail order they sell cheaper than anyplace, plus over state boarders no sales tax. They will set you back close to $500 but will be well worth it. The KYB SR Specials are closer to $700, depends on how performance minded you are. You might also order some strut tower mounts that can be changed out when the mechanic is doing the struts up front and have them check to make sure everything is straight and not been in an accident.

[Levi]

I wanted to update you on the fix for my Q alignment problem. I am sorry about the delayed update. Ended up the alignment was performed incorrectly by the Nissan dealership. I took it to a local shop and they squared things away. I am not sure what the tech was smoking but I wont be visiting that dealership again. 2000 miles later I have to say the Q drives like a dream. At first I thought the speedometer was incorrect because it felt like I was going 55 when I was actually going 80 mph but my GPS handheld confimed the speedo was correct. I purchased the Q for 4500 and I have invested $600 for new tires and $300 for new pads/rotors all around. I am delaying installing new struts hoping more strut choices (aftermarket) will be offered in the future. I am not sure why the seller did not have the alignment and brakes completed before selling the car. I feel he could have sold the car for alot more if the problems was fixed before hand. Although I did have to meet the seller at the Loanmax store to get the title released. He owed 4,200 to Loanmax and Loanmax had the title for 6 months "ouch", I think he may have been in a desperate financial situation. I guess Timing is everthing. My only problem now is prying the vehicle away from my wife.

[maxnix]

I am delaying installing new struts hoping more strut choices (aftermarket) will be offered in the future.

You might as well wait for the second, third tenth or first coming of your favorite savior.

[Qproject]

haha =)

You might as well wait for the second, third tenth or first coming of your favorite savior.