I have a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder. The lower control arms were replaced a few months ago. My year and a half old tires (24,000 miles on them) were starting to wear on the outside. Car pulls to the right. I took it today for an alignment at Tires Plus. I had them rotate the tires, as well. It still pulled to the right, so I took it back. They "fixed it." Still pulls to the right.
Current alignment specs are as follows:
Left front : Right Front:
Camber -1.0 Camber -0.9
Caster 3.4 Caster 2.5
Toe .09 Toe .08
Total toe 0.18
Steer Ahead 0.00
Left Rear : Right Rear:
Camber -.2 Camber -.01
Toe .26 Toe -.17
Total Toe 0.09
Thrust Angle 0.22
Can anyone tell me where I might find the manufacturer's recommended alignment specs, and if my specs look "reasonable"? I read that caster greater than 2.5 will make the tires scrub. Any suggestions on why it would still pull to the right would be appreciated. Thanks!
Pathfinder recommended alignment specs?
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rgk
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Re: Pathfinder recommended alignment specs?
They can align your tires all day long, but if they're unevenly worn from a poor alignment, they're worn.
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Rogue One
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Re: Pathfinder recommended alignment specs?
Hi DennisD, welcome to NICO! I've modified your thread title to reflect your actual question.
Re: Pathfinder recommended alignment specs?
Hi Denise. The factory service manual is here: http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Pathfinder/2002_Pathfinder/
Look in section SU (suspension) and go to page su-14 and su-15 for the specifications you want. You can download all those sections if you want to have your own copy of the manual.
If you google or bing "positive negative camber" you will get some images of what hegative camber is. You have negative 1 degree on each side - more than the specs call for. But this tilts the top of the tire inward, which tends to make the tire wear more on the inside where it hits the road. (The images will show you what I mean.) I think this is how the alignment people are trying to compensate for the wear on the outside of your tires.
You will need to work with them a little more - they may be able to adjust toe in to help the vehicle drive straight. Or you may have a problem with the right front tire. Try switching sides with the front tires and see what happens.
Ask them if a caster / camber kit (AC Delco makes one) will help. Search for one on ebay if you want to see it - it is a fancy bolt kit.
Look in section SU (suspension) and go to page su-14 and su-15 for the specifications you want. You can download all those sections if you want to have your own copy of the manual.
If you google or bing "positive negative camber" you will get some images of what hegative camber is. You have negative 1 degree on each side - more than the specs call for. But this tilts the top of the tire inward, which tends to make the tire wear more on the inside where it hits the road. (The images will show you what I mean.) I think this is how the alignment people are trying to compensate for the wear on the outside of your tires.
You will need to work with them a little more - they may be able to adjust toe in to help the vehicle drive straight. Or you may have a problem with the right front tire. Try switching sides with the front tires and see what happens.
Ask them if a caster / camber kit (AC Delco makes one) will help. Search for one on ebay if you want to see it - it is a fancy bolt kit.