Any Alignment Specialists/Former Mechanics in here...

[NewMStang]

Ever since I put my new wheels, had my car lowered, and put in c/c plates my cars alignment/bump steer have been horrible. I;ve had my car aligned now twice and still no help, here are is the details of the print out of the alignment I last recieved, can anyone tell me if this is normal:
L /R
--------
Front:

Caster: 3.4 /3.5
Camber: -1.0/-1.0
Toe: -.03/-.06

Rear:

Camber: -.3/.1
Toe: .12/-.03
Thrust Angle: .1

Do these nubmers seem ok? If so, is it possible I just need a bump steer kit, rather then a new alignment?

 

[Mike97gt]

Ever since I put my new wheels, had my car lowered, and put in c/c plates my cars alignment/bump steer have been horrible. I;ve had my car aligned now twice and still no help, here are is the details of the print out of the alignment I last recieved, can anyone tell me if this is normal:
L /R
--------
Front:

Caster: 3.4 /3.5
Camber: -1.0/-1.0
Toe: -.03/-.06

Rear:

Camber: -.3/.1
Toe: .12/-.03
Thrust Angle: .1

Do these nubmers seem ok? If so, is it possible I just need a bump steer kit, rather then a new alignment?

camber is out of spec in the front.. any reason they set it to -1.0?

it's should be between -.50- .75

 

[SaleenGT2001]

i'd run a -0.5 off set in the caster also

ex.
LF 4.0 RF 4.5

camber should be somewhere between -0.50 and -0.75 for the best tire wear on a true street car

 

[SaleenGT2001]

ford specs actually say up to -1.3 camber is acceptable. LOL, what a joke!

 

[Mike97gt]

ford specs actually say up to -1.3 camber is acceptable. LOL, what a joke!

no not the ones I got out of the service manual..


-.5 - .75


What book are you using? if it's the paper ford book, the online service manual from the website for ford employees is updated thats why I hardly ever use the paper books.

 

[NewMStang]

So you guys think the camber off is likely causing the issue?

 

[96SCstang]

no it's not. the camber being off that slight amount(and that is a slight amount) is not going to do anthing as far as bump steer. now you still want your camber around -.5 as already stated, but you really should invest in a bumpsteer kit as well. the rules of an alignment are the car will pull to the most positive camber and negative caster. caster is a non tire wearing angle so even when it is off it wont cause tire wear. it does however help with steering stability of the car. camber is a very important angle because it can totally affect how the car reacts while driving. you always want to get the camber as close to the center spec as possible. your alignment is not bad....it's not the best it could be but it is not the cause of your problem. get a bumpsteer kit and you'll be all set.

 

[hotcobra03]

alignment

im a truck guy here,,but have done some cars

CAMBER
-.5 to -.75 is still low in my book..0 to +.25..is what ive always shot for...car will settle and neg readings should start,,

CASTER

ive always went with the most pos that you can get..



back to bump steer...is the inclination of the tie rod the cause here?


from 2003 ford disc

 

[flstang65]

Did you install the off set steering rack bushings and a bump steer kit?