pre-alignment check

[lparsons]

My 95 GT has been pulling to the right while driving lately, so I'm going to bring it in for an alignment check.

However, I've had bad experiences with shops in this area before, so I would like to get an idea for myself of what I need for my car before I bring it in.

What alignment / steering components can I check myself for wear / failure before I take the car in? I obviously do not own an alignment rack, so I don't intend to install any alignment parts myself. I just want to get under the car ahead of time and get a look at what might be wrong, and probably more importantly, figure out what isn't wrong. I just don't want to go in and have the shop try to sell me a full steering rack if all I need are right side tie tod ends.

thanks!

 

[94-302-vert]

jack up the car and pull at the wheel to see if there is any play in any direction... there should be none...

More than likely your caster/camber setting shave changed slightly and now it pulls to the right a little....

You may want to do a reality check on the alignment in the driveway first.... there are a few sites out there that give tips... but basically measure the toe, check the caster by measuring from the hood bumpstops to the top of the strut on both sides (this should be the same) then take a ruler or angle finder and try to comapre teh camber from one side to the other....

Good luck.

 

[lparsons]

jack up the car and pull at the wheel to see if there is any play in any direction... there should be none...

When I changed the wheels (winter -> summer) last month I didn't notice any. I'll try again and see if it's any different.

More than likely your caster/camber setting shave changed slightly and now it pulls to the right a little....


You may want to do a reality check on the alignment in the driveway first.... there are a few sites out there that give tips... but basically measure the toe, check the caster by measuring from the hood bumpstops to the top of the strut on both sides (this should be the same) then take a ruler or angle finder and try to comapre teh camber from one side to the other....

Good luck.

I may have forgotten to mention that I drive this car year round. I hit a couple of particularly nasty potholes this spring / late winter that really shook the car on the passenger side. Thats why I suspect that something may be awry over there. For that reason I just want to know how to check to see if anything is broken or worn out, so that if I take the car in for alignment I can have a metric to use to detect BS if the shop says I need parts x,y, and z.

I'll see if I can find some tips on checking the alignment myself before taking it in.

thanks