Really need help here. Alignment problem

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Sentientbydesign
Posts: 5993
Joined: Wed Feb 02, 2005 8:21 am
Car: 03 Evo VIII - 330 AWHP
05 Subaru Legacy GT Stg 2 - Sold
05 G35 6MT Coupe - 278 WHP - Sold
04 WW Evo VIII - 302 AWHP - Ex's
96 I30 - Sold
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So my 96 I30 is having yet another problem.

I've had 3 alignments done in the past month and the car still drifts to the left. First alignment was done to compensate for the axle replacement. Second was because the passenger side front tire was getting excessive wear on the outer edge (like positive camber), but the car has been lowered and always has negative camber.

The last alignment was done yesterday because the car was still drifting and I just put on a set of RE050s and I don't want them being gone in a couple of weeks.

The alignment tech said he doesn't know what it is. Says that my frame might be tweaked or the rack and pinion bushings are slipping.

I can post specs from the last alignment if anyone needs that info for a diagnosis. Please see my signature for suspension setup.

Recent suspension related maintenance:

-Replaced LCA bushings (by cutting the F*ckers off) with energy suspension bushings.

-Popped ball joint (need to replace), but there is very little play.

-Replaced driver's side axle after CV boot broke

This is probably unrelated, but my car pulls when I brake. I have to counter steer to compensate.


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Beancooker
Posts: 8456
Joined: Mon Jun 26, 2006 1:45 pm
Car: Current Car: 2024 Tesla Model 3
Past cars: Way too many to list
Location: Cottonwood, AZ.

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Pulling when you brake is usually a sign of uneven wear on the brakes or rotors. The alignment issue sounds an awful lot like a frame problem. You can take it to any reputable body shop and have them do an estimate for fixing the frame. That will also tell you for free if the frame is tweaked or not. Part of the problem could be in the ball joint, but I'm leaning toward the frame. Especially after reading the 25mph corner at 90mph in your sig, I'd say frame.

User avatar
Sentientbydesign
Posts: 5993
Joined: Wed Feb 02, 2005 8:21 am
Car: 03 Evo VIII - 330 AWHP
05 Subaru Legacy GT Stg 2 - Sold
05 G35 6MT Coupe - 278 WHP - Sold
04 WW Evo VIII - 302 AWHP - Ex's
96 I30 - Sold
Contact:

Post

What oh what do you mean? lol. Yeah, I partially blame it on the energy drinks, but that was a stupid move on my part. That turn could be taken at 60 in good conditions. I had a blown strut (didn't know about it), gravel, and Dunlop FM901s which have NO cornering ability.

So a frame shop will measure the frame and give me an estimate for free? I'm normally all about paying people for their expertise, but I'm REALLY poor right now. Still looking for another job.

Thank you for the advice.

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Beancooker
Posts: 8456
Joined: Mon Jun 26, 2006 1:45 pm
Car: Current Car: 2024 Tesla Model 3
Past cars: Way too many to list
Location: Cottonwood, AZ.

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WEll, if you go in and say "will you check to see if my frame is bent for free?" they might not. If you tell them that you wrecked your car, and you think that the frame is bent, and need to have it checked out, and an estimate done for the insurance company, they will be all over you like white on rice.


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