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  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

Alignment Issues

  • Thread starter Thread starter [BlackDiamond]
  • Start date Start date Jan 19, 2006
B

[BlackDiamond]

New Member
Sep 19, 2005
119
0
0
Jan 19, 2006
#1
  • Jan 19, 2006
  • #1
*sorry, i had to post it here since most of you dont even look at the 6-banger forum*

Hey All,

I have a 2001 Mustang V6 Coupe with 17" Bullitt Rims and stock 245/40/17 tires. The car was recently involved in an accident where the front passenger wheel was wrecked.

Insurance repaired the car (cdn$6000 damage), brand new front-passenger tire and wheel installed, new lower control arms, new struts and frame shop told me they were able to get all numbers back to stock. This was done at a Ford dealership.

Before the car got into the accident I noticed the steering wheel would pull pretty hard along the grooves of the road. I thought that was normal and kinda just figured it was time for a wheel alignment, however I never actually took it in to get checked.

Now after the accident, after everyone telling me its all 100% aligned the car still follows the grooves of the road pretty hard. Is this normal on all mustangs this model??

However now this is not the only problem. The car is also pulling slightly to the LEFT. So to go straight, I have to keep the wheel slightly tilted to the RIGHT... It gets worse on some roads, and much better on other roads. Some roads the wheel stays PERFECTLY straight, but most times it has to be kept tilted RIGHT to go straight.

I took it back to the dealer, they checked the alignment numbers again. Rotated the tires and it told me there's nothing wrong.

But I still feel the exact same thing.

Anybody have any suggestions on what could be causing this? Since the guys at the dealership are saying everything is alright, my next move is to take to another alignment shop to see what they say. But before I spend money on this I would like to get opinions.

Thanks a lot!
 

blackfang

Founding Member
Dec 17, 2001
1,290
1
39
Richmond, Va
Jan 19, 2006
#2
  • Jan 19, 2006
  • #2
Well

The crown of the road will cause your car to pull or follow it. This is normal. I get alot of customer that come in and complain about it, but when we take them out to the alignment rack and show them and show them how it pulls on the road they feel more releaved.

I am not saying thats the issue. You could have a radial pull from the tire. I would swap it to the other side and see if it pulls to that side. If it does, then you solved your issue.

My question is have they compared the cross camber and cross caster specs? These are the differences of the left and right camber and caster numbers. If they have a good difference between the two numbers(can still be in spec) camber comparision the car will pull to the lower numbered side. Now compare the caster differences. The side that has the highest caster will case the car to pull to that side but keep in mind caster will always override camber when it comes to pulling.
 

SaleenGT2001

Well-Known Member
Jul 18, 2005
2,811
4
58
Four Oaks NC
Jan 19, 2006
#3
  • Jan 19, 2006
  • #3
gotta correct you blackfang, camber will pull to the side with more and caster will pull to the side with less. you want to have your cross caster between -0.4 and -0.8
 

SaleenGT2001

Well-Known Member
Jul 18, 2005
2,811
4
58
Four Oaks NC
Jan 19, 2006
#4
  • Jan 19, 2006
  • #4
you need to offset the caster around -0.5 this will compensate for the road crown. and the crooked steering whell means that the toe is out. get that car to a GOOD alignment shop soon! if you're in the raleigh nc area let me know and i'll hook you up!
 

blackfang

Founding Member
Dec 17, 2001
1,290
1
39
Richmond, Va
Jan 20, 2006
#5
  • Jan 20, 2006
  • #5
SaleenGT2001 said:
gotta correct you blackfang, camber will pull to the side with more and caster will pull to the side with less. you want to have your cross caster between -0.4 and -0.8
Click to expand...
Ahhh **** I thought I had it backwards....
 
K

Kilgore Trout

Fried or Broiled ?
10 Year Member
Mar 30, 2005
4,749
95
134
Jan 20, 2006
#6
  • Jan 20, 2006
  • #6
blackfang said:
Ahhh **** I thought I had it backwards....
Click to expand...
Hmmmm, sorta like when I made a mistake on transmissions just the other day... Good thing there are no aholes just waiting to jump in on the thread and insult you like happened to me
 

tomustang

Psychotic Member
Founding Member
Jun 8, 2000
3,434
2
78
McLean Hospital
Jan 20, 2006
#7
  • Jan 20, 2006
  • #7
blackfang said:
Ahhh **** I thought I had it backwards....
Click to expand...
DUMBASS






















j/k
 

KronicRacer

Member
Jun 23, 2004
502
1
18
puttering around Ft Lauderdale, FL
Jan 20, 2006
#8
  • Jan 20, 2006
  • #8
LMAO
 

blackfang

Founding Member
Dec 17, 2001
1,290
1
39
Richmond, Va
Jan 20, 2006
#9
  • Jan 20, 2006
  • #9
Kilgore Trout said:
Hmmmm, sorta like when I made a mistake on transmissions just the other day... Good thing there are no aholes just waiting to jump in on the thread and insult you like happened to me
Click to expand...
1. I thought you put me on ignore? That's what you claimed.

2. I was on with my figures just had them reversed, which is easily done. I atleast know wtf I am talking about just had the cross camber/cross caster reversed.

3. I jumped you because that was another great idea on your list of the biggest bullshyt on how to find problems. First it was hey use seafoam to find an exhaust leak. Not the right way to find it as I told you. You are a backyard mechanic with great ideas of what not to do. You were giving advice of an automatic transmission service to a guy that wanted to change his fluid with a 5 speed. The info was given and you failed to read.
 
B

[BlackDiamond]

New Member
Sep 19, 2005
119
0
0
Jan 20, 2006
#10
  • Jan 20, 2006
  • #10
Thanks for the replies guys.

I feel the love on these boards.. haha
:SNSign:
 
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