S13 Alignment, speciality shop or firestone?

[S133P3R]

hello nicco nauts, I am in the ever constant process of fixing my S13s 20 yr old suspension problems with aftermarket parts and am coming to an "apex" of sorts in my supspension tuning and have a few questions: 1. should i use firestone (or simliar store) for my alignment or go to speciality shop?2. what do other members use?

I have a hatch S13 with the following suspension upgrades: -megan racing tension rods -megan raging street coilovers -tein inner & outter tie rods on a rebuilt rack (thanks s13erm) -energy steering rack bushings

I called firestone and they said they do 4 wheel alignment with adjustments to camber, caster, and toe. the one benefit i see from firestone is that they offer a lifetime alignment package so i could return to them as i add parts.

[S133P3R]

ok, so no advice from anyone, guess all the nico-nauts do their own alignment (yes, i saw the DIY alignment post).

ok Im done whining now and i went to a firestone tire shop after installing my rebuilt steering rack and energy rack bushings. not too bad, got the lifetime alignment for 130.00 with coupon and already discounted sale price (reg. price $169). so i can go back tomorrow and the next day and the day after that, if i want. figured it was a good deal considering alignment is usually $50 (minimum). I dont plan on getting rid of this car for awhile and will be adding components to my almost complete suspension. the technicians eyebrow raised when he heard "nissan 240sx" and said if i had certain specs he could do those too as long as i didnt bring it up to his manager, i kindly agreed. try being nice to the person behind the counter and it may pay off for you too!

just putting this information out there for interested parties.
Modified by S133P3R at 7:52 AM 10/23/2008

[positron1]

No performance shops where I live so I have to use the Firestones and what not.

[S133P3R]

No performance shops where I live so I have to use the Firestones and what not.

does the firestone you go to adjust to your specs (if you have adjustable suspension) or just factory specs?

[Cone Junky]

I imagine it is up to the individual shop, but I don't see why they wouldn't be willing to put in your own specs. But you should supply them with the specs you want. That way they can adjust the specs in the machine before the alignment.

I do my own alignments, but I used jrhoades specs from his STS 240 that were published in GRM. I can't get the front camber to his specs without camber plates, but his toes specs have turned the car into a competitive handler

[splitime]

I imagine it is up to the individual shop, but I don't see why they wouldn't be willing to put in your own specs. But you should supply them with the specs you want. That way they can adjust the specs in the machine before the alignment.

I do my own alignments, but I used jrhoades specs from his STS 240 that were published in GRM. I can't get the front camber to his specs without camber plates, but his toes specs have turned the car into a competitive handler

Mind posting those specs up? My GRM stockpile is spotty from loan outs and on/off again membership :p

[schanne]

^^ What he said....

[vancouverbc]

I've had a hard time finding a surface flat enough to do alignment. I've discovered that a 1 inch drop across the width of car translates into a 15 mm difference in camber.

Also, does it matter if toe or camber is different on opposite wheels? it is pretty easy to get within the spec range but my wheels differ quite a bit.

the front wheels can only be adjusted by changing the tie rod length and the length has to be the same on both front tires so i dont see how alignment shops can do much. the rear can be adjusted more but i have hicas so i can only adjust tie rods in rear too

diy tutorialhttp://forums.nicoclub.com/zerothread/358043

[S133P3R]

I imagine it is up to the individual shop, but I don't see why they wouldn't be willing to put in your own specs. But you should supply them with the specs you want. That way they can adjust the specs in the machine before the alignment.

I do my own alignments, but I used jrhoades specs from his STS 240 that were published in GRM. I can't get the front camber to his specs without camber plates, but his toes specs have turned the car into a competitive handler

Can you post those specs? as i dont know what GRM is and im really curious to experiment with my alignment till i find something that works well with my differential (besides a new diff), which I think is stock as it sucks the b*tt h*le. I ended up mis-aligning my rack at the knuckle that connects to the column ( ) so ill prolly be taking it back to firestone once i get under my car again to fix it.

also, what kind of differential do you have with those specs?.... I was thinking of getting a J30 LSD so i can get used to the difference before i jump into a 1.5way or something.

[splitime]

Can you post those specs? as i dont know what GRM is and im really curious to experiment with my alignment till i find something that works well with my differential (besides a new diff), which I think is stock as it sucks the b*tt h*le. I ended up mis-aligning my rack at the knuckle that connects to the column ( ) so ill prolly be taking it back to firestone once i get under my car again to fix it.

also, what kind of differential do you have with those specs?.... I was thinking of getting a J30 LSD so i can get used to the difference before i jump into a 1.5way or something.

Grassroots Motorsports. Best auto magazine out there... IMO of course.

I think I found the thread with the specs posted.zerothread/244414

[Cone Junky]

The specs are listed in that thread. Also, just find the GRM with the blue Miata on the front. Instead of keeping it with all my other back issues, that issue is kept in my toolbox with all my manuals

I think his toe settings make most of the difference. My first 2 auto-xs felt like drift sessions until I dialed in tho9se specs.

[S133P3R]

The specs are listed in that thread. Also, just find the GRM with the blue Miata on the front. Instead of keeping it with all my other back issues, that issue is kept in my toolbox with all my manuals

I think his toe settings make most of the difference. My first 2 auto-xs felt like drift sessions until I dialed in tho9se specs.

ya, i installed my tension rods myself and the damn settings were tweaked. on factory specs it feels good but I feel the stock differntial is killing me, what do you have?

[Cone Junky]

Just a $60 junkyard j30 VLSD. It's not the greatest lsd, but it's better than open/

[S133P3R]

thats what Im gonna grab on my next trip down towards the SD junk yards. what parts did you take from the J30 besides the LSD? and what was the bolt pattern on the axles? was it easy to install? I read its pretty much just drop-in for installation, any info would be appreciated.

[Cone Junky]

I only grabbed the diff from the j30. It was a 6 bolt flange, so it was a simple swap of the covers and install.I did have the stock non-ABS driveshaft when I installed it, so it was a little tight. But I shortly upgraded to a one piece aluminum in an ABS friendly length.

If you're going down south to the SD yards, make sure you hit both sets of yards. I would even hit the oceanside eco on the way too.

[S133P3R]

I did have the stock non-ABS driveshaft when I installed it, so it was a little tight. But I shortly upgraded to a one piece aluminum in an ABS friendly length.

If you're going down south to the SD yards, make sure you hit both sets of yards. I would even hit the oceanside eco on the way too.

did you add ABS to you rear brakes or is the aluminum shaft just to compensate for the J30 ABS? what is the difference between non-ABS and ABS driveshafts, is the ABS shorter (i think thats what your saying)?

we skipped right passed the O-Side yard but next time ill hit it up for sure. last time i was down there we went straight to "recycling way" cuz my buddy, was looking for a volvo part, so we figured wed find it there... but no luck, cuz the volvo specialist was closed. Sucked for my friend but he was a great helper with my parts. I was really happy with my $35 RLCA (~$100 new) and my $65 J30 brakes! It pays to RECYCLE!

[bekaert66]

I had my S13 alligned at firestone last month (got the lifetime warranty)and they didnt do a good job,my steering wheel is not straight even when im driving onto a straight line.Plus the guy who did it scraped the lower stock black lip of my car when he drove my car up to the lift.Now its gotten ugly,,lots of scrapes......Ill try other firestone shops next time since i got the lifetime warranty

[S133P3R]

I have the same problem but I know that I caused my own problem by incorrectly reconnecting my steering column to my rebuilt steering rack . you may have to get under the car and disconnect it, move the knuckle/ steering rack a few notches to match dead center on your steering wheel, then reconnect it. its only one bolt, but its kinda a pain to get lined up so Im still driving with good alignment and my steering wheel off about 15 deg to the left, sucks cuz my damn blinker wont stay clicked. ill be fixing it this week, hopefully.

[irax]

your in california find a specialty shop that does an on the ground alignment. If your willing to drive to san deigo i highly recommend going to clarance brown in clairmont mesa/ kearny mesa. its like.. its pro rated at $70 an hour but if it takes more than 2 hours they just charge you $149 flat. Do not use Megan tie rod ends, they are not reverse threaded on the heim joint side and just adds more time to get it done.

[S133P3R]

I have a hatch S13 with the following suspension upgrades: -megan racing tension rods -megan raging street coilovers -tein inner & outter tie rods on a rebuilt rack (thanks s13erm) -energy steering rack bushings

I dont have and wasnt planning on buying megan tie rods, did you mean megan tension rods? Ill try searching for someone that does that type of alignment work also, SD isnt really too far either.

[irax]

ohh my bad i read it wrong. but yeah look for some one that does an on the ground alignment.

[S133P3R]

curious.... my buddy is on my a$$ about convincing me to not do a SR or RB motor swap and wont shut up about the VQ and LS swaps. is yours smogable? where did you get your swap done? and what was the price like? and how do you like it?

[Cone Junky]

did you add ABS to you rear brakes or is the aluminum shaft just to compensate for the J30 ABS? what is the difference between non-ABS and ABS driveshafts, is the ABS shorter (i think thats what your saying)?

we skipped right passed the O-Side yard but next time ill hit it up for sure. last time i was down there we went straight to "recycling way" cuz my buddy, was looking for a volvo part, so we figured wed find it there... but no luck, cuz the volvo specialist was closed. Sucked for my friend but he was a great helper with my parts. I was really happy with my $35 RLCA (~$100 new) and my $65 J30 brakes! It pays to RECYCLE!

Yes, the ABS driveshaft is a litle shorter to make up for the longer snout on the diff. The non-ABS shaft works, but the yoke no longer has any freeplay, which can cause some binding.

You didn't miss much at OS I'm sure. They have much slimmer pickens' there, but also much less traffic. If you're car is in the yard it's more likely to have the part you need.

Were you trying to go to RC for the Volvo parts? If you do, tell Rich that Neal from Lusti Motors sent you. It might be more likely to cut you a good deal (my shop has been using them for at least a decade and we have mutual friends).

[S133P3R]

ya, im pretty sure it was RC, they are closed on weekends. my buddy ended up getting the part mailed and it got here the next day i think, so that problem was resolved and the car runs now. I was amped to see a whole section of nissans and infinitys in SD, had no problem getting my brakes. would have grabbed Q45s but i forgot my lug wrench so i settled for J30s that had the wheels of already, still rebuilding those.

whats your shop called and what kind of work do you guys do? wouldnt mind giving you some business if i know someone in need.

[irax]

curious.... my buddy is on my a$$ about convincing me to not do a SR or RB motor swap and wont shut up about the VQ and LS swaps. is yours smogable? where did you get your swap done? and what was the price like? and how do you like it?

mine is completely smog-able. i'm in the middle of the hassle of the wiring harness.

[all4sho]

it all is up to the alignment tech working on your car most firestone shops suck when it comes to a not stock car.imo

[Cone Junky]

ya, im pretty sure it was RC, they are closed on weekends. my buddy ended up getting the part mailed and it got here the next day i think, so that problem was resolved and the car runs now. I was amped to see a whole section of nissans and infinitys in SD, had no problem getting my brakes. would have grabbed Q45s but i forgot my lug wrench so i settled for J30s that had the wheels of already, still rebuilding those.

whats your shop called and what kind of work do you guys do? wouldnt mind giving you some business if i know someone in need.

http://www.lustimotors.com

We specialize in Volvo, Mercedes, BMW, Audi, and VW and do just about everything from bumper to bumper.