Alignment/Suspension Input

[King Charles]

So upon backing out of my driveway last night I hear a ungodly shrill of agony so out of shock & reflex I jerk the wheel to the side. Rendering myself in my ditch which has a concrete drainage pipe sticking like 10 inches out the lip and I hear the scrub & grind as I back out of it. As I stand & scratch my head I see a cat scurrying away. Now my front end's severely out of alignment. I'm not driving it because I do not want to ruin my tires.

This is the second vehicle that this has happened to 1st scenario was a dog. Hindsight is 20/20 I should've hit them both ha ! Taking it to a shop tomorrow.

UPDATE
Shop Today :
R Stabilizer Links 74.50
R Outter Tie Rod 95.00
R Inner Tie Rod 85.00
Alignment 75.99
Labor 168.00
Shop Fee 39.00

So far over 500$ in Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr,,,,

[King Charles]

Yea I know the parts prices are inflated it's a commercial chain shop.

Gotta feeling the control arm's going to need replacing as well,looked banged up to my novice eye.

[Q451990]

Doesn't look too bad. If you don't mind doing some wrenching on your own, you could save some $$ on everything but the alignment.

Heath

[King Charles]

That's just not my thing Id rather pay & have it right for no worries ha !

[King Charles]

Update

Front :
Right
Camber: -1.7
Caster/Toe: 0.04
Left
Camber: -1.4
Caster/Toe: 0.03

Total Toe: 0.07
Steer Ahead: -0.01

Rear :
Right
Camber -0.4
Toe 0.21

Left
Camber: -1.2
Toe: 0.11

Total Toe: 0.31
Thrust Angle: 0.05


Now it handles smooth as before but the steering wheel is off center when I steer straight & drifts a little bit if I let go.
Will a new control arm correct this because I find it annoying. Did not have time to speak to the shop as they were closed when I picked it up.

[elwesso]

The rear is what's causing this to happen. I don't know why you're combining caster and toe, those should be very different numbers. I'm guessing you're listing the toe and not the caster.

The rear camber is what needs to be fixed, there is definitely something going on with the rear. Normally the rear is right around -1°.

[King Charles]

I'm using a tiny touch screen I'll upload the alignment print out when I touch down. I'm assuming any shop that does 4 wheel alignment as opposed to just front end can handle this easily. In all fairness this shop only does front end alignments. I'm about to upgrade the wheels so I want the suspension as right as rain. Thanks 4 the input elwesso.

[Infinitiguy19]

Any shop with somewhat new equipment can do four wheel alignments. Any shop that says they do front end alignments only is looking for easy money. As the techs say, "Toe and go". Take your car to sears for a free alignment check and post up that sheet. Alignments are not difficult if the car is in good shape, Little rust. But alignments are more of an art. It takes time to get it right but when its done right (no matter how long it takes); Its a work of art!

Make sure a torque wrench is used to tighten up the rear eccentric bolts. Anti Seize can be applied to the nut, 3M copper anti seize is not bad. Also make sure they use a 14MM open end wrench on the flats of the inner tie rod and not vice grips (Which will round off the flats). Not a bad idea to have them apply silicone paste to the rubber bushings on the rear end, or what ever rubber is under the car. Its also not wise to use heat on steering/suspension components as the heat may harden the metal. But it will become more brittle. Use PB blaster/ATF and let it sit overnight at least. Try tapping the component with a hammer and then loosen. There is a fine line between something coming loose and a bolt snapping!

But then again I doubt half of my suggestions are followed by most shops as they want the car in and out as fast as possible. Few crazy people like me actually take the time to do things right which saves headaches next time the car is in the shop.

Is everything on your car with in spec? (Tie rods, Ball joints, Upper links, rear ball joints, links, Steering rack bushings?

[King Charles]

Yes but there is rust as it's a upstate NY vehicle. There are no Sears w/ automotive services close to here currently. The shop I used gave me a print out with front & rear I will scan it tonight. The car steered/drove beautifully up until the cat/ditch scenario.

[King Charles]

Ok finally back on this, I will attach the alignment scan specs. I'm going to upgrade the wheels/rims & have the suspension done all at once. I know for a fact that the right control arm is bent & have tracked one down @ the local salvage yard. Not been driving it much as not to further ruin anything.

[Infinitiguy19]

Lazy Tech must have not spent the time on the rear, Assuming you got a alignment?

[King Charles]

Yes an alignment was allegedly done.

[Infinitiguy19]

How much money did you "Spend" on a alignment? Do they redo the alignment for free if you replace a suspension/steering component that would alter the alignment?

[King Charles]

Alignment 75.99

Not sure about the free deal.

[Infinitiguy19]

Who did the alignment?

Why did you align a car with know bad suspension components?

Did you ask if they offered the free check?

[King Charles]

Mr.Tire,did'nt know anything was bad until it was put up to be aligned,no.