Front end alignment difficulties: shop cannot correct caster

[jerry S]

What could account for this? I have recently installed new global west UCAs and LCAs, complete with adjustable strut rods, and a new TCP rack and pinion. Could it be that something was incorrectly installed?

 

[2nd Mustang]

Hope it wasn't Sears. The last time (and I do mean the very last time) I went to Sears to have some McPherson struts replaced, I had to point out a mistake they made when they installed them after they told me they couldn't align it right and that I needed new parts. Maybe get a second opinion from a frame shop.

 

[TT670]

What were the specs you were shooting for, and what was the best the shop could do? With the concentric LCA adjustment, adjustable strut rods and UCA shims you should be able to get what you need, or at least be within an acceptable range.

 

[WORTH]

If your alignment shop can't align it and can't tell you why, you need another alignment shop because the guy is a moron

 

[UNVMATT]

Thats true. Go get a second opinion from a different shop.

I took my 2000 GT to Sears for alignment after hitting a pot hole hard. They told me to see a frame shop and they couldnt get it aligned properly..The car was only 6 months old..So I knew someone was a dumba$$. I took it to a Ford dealer and they fixed it with no problems.

 

[RajunCajun]

If your alignment shop can't align it and can't tell you why, you need another alignment shop because the guy is a moron

exactly, if it is beyond there knowledge level then you dont even want them guessing to trying to fix the problem better off just leaving and finding another place that can determine the problem and still if they cant fix it at least u know what the problem is then

 

[jerry S]

I talked to the guy at the frameshop who did the alignment. He says that the adjustable strut rods fit into a threaded coupling sleeve. He says that the thread on the end of each rod that fits into the coupling sleeve was too long by 1/4 inch each and that as a result, he could not adjust enough for the correct caster. He wanted to know if he should just cut the threads but my mechanic said no, he was waiting to hear back from GW whether they had anything to say and to perhaps verify that they shipped the correct strut rods. He called several times, left several messages, but was never called back. In the meantime, the hauler showed up and took the car on its way to me. If GW shipped the wrong strut rods, I will simply exchange them unless they assure me it is no problem to trim the threaded part that fits into the sleeve.

 

[WORTH]

did you do an upper control arm drop and possibly drill in the wrong place, there are 2 different locatioons depending on the year. I don't know wich is which off hand, but I know one drops straight down and inch, and the other drops an inch but at an angle, not straight down.

 

[jerry S]

yes

there was a drop done with the UCAs. However, my mechanic used the templates that came with the UCAs. I cannot believe he screwed up the drop if he used the templates.

 

[WORTH]

I'm assuming the UCA's came from the same manufacturer as teh strut rods? If so they should be the correct length unless they made them incorrectly. I know the OEM strut rods have plenty of adjustment on them, I would assume the aftermarkets would be made comparable. Could be a monday morning Tap job and they didn't get tapped long enough

 

[jerry S]

I'm assuming the UCA's came from the same manufacturer as teh strut rods?

Yes. Everything is Global West

If so they should be the correct length unless they made them incorrectly.

They should be the right length. I am considering the following possibilities

1. they sent the wrong strut rods.
2. they sent the right strut rods but the wrong UCA templates for the drop
3. they manufactured the rods incorrectly.

I am pretty bummed. I don't want to have to be screwing around with this.

 

[WORTH]

Never forget, this is suppose to be fun,,,,,,, anytime you alter the original there is the possiblility of a screwup, in the Master Book of Possible screwups, that one is pretty low on the list everything is new so it should be an easy fix either way