HELP! Camber/Caster out?

[oplix]

I just bought a 97 talon ESI. I got a good deal but the only problem is that I have to hold the steering wheel like 20 degrees to the right in order for the wheels to go straight. Left turns are effortless () but i need to get it fixed asap. I went to get an alignment and they told me that it wasn't the problem. Mechanic said the camber/caster is out and I need to go to another mechanic to fix it.

Can anyone suggest anything? I heard of camber kits. Will that fix it?

 

[1992awdlaser]

Camber/caster is part of an alignment. How is the alignment not the problem when they say that it is out. The shop will have to adjust camber with the camber kits so they know when the camber is in spec. If you changed it you could get it to where the car won't pull but it won't be in spec ad will wear your tires irregularly.

 

[95blackGsTurbo]

It isn't the alignment because those should be in spec if the car is stock ride height and unmodified since they are not adjustable on a stock car. What he is probably saying is that you have some bent suspension parts that need to be taken care of and that will fix most of your alignment problem as well. You also need to shake down the front end to check for tie rod end and ball joint play.

 

[1992awdlaser]

Yeah because suspension doesn't sag and people don't hit pot holes. The alignment goes out over time whether parts bend or not, whether the vehicle is stock ride height or not, and whether it has adjustments from the factory or not.

If what you just said was true then why is it that about I would say 40% or so of the aligment I did needed camber kits if they didn't have an adjustment from the factory?

 

[95blackGsTurbo]

Sagging springs, worn bushings, worn but not blown struts. A camber kit is like a band aid. It fixes the problem for a while until you actually figure out what is making the alignment out. If the suspension is sagging, then replace what is worn. If they hit a pot hole, fix what the bent when they hit it. You can't just knock a car out of alignment and put a kit on it and make it better. Those are the cars you see dog tracking down the road. The paper says it's good but it still doesn't drive straight.

Have them put it on the rack and give you a printout of it so we can see it.

 

[1992awdlaser]

I agree with you to an extent. Nobody I have seen is going to replace a sagging suspension to fix an alignment when they can buy a $30 camber kit and pay for half an hour labor to install it. Some things simply don't have to be replaced for the car to be like it was from the factory. I have never had a problem with a single alignment I have done that included camber kits. Obviously if you can visually tell what is causing the alignment to be off then a camber kit won't be enough. If you can't visually tell though it will be pretty hard to figure what is causing it(most of the time multiple small things) and a camber kit will be cheaper and easier with the same results.

 

[oplix]

thanks a lot guys. So I should try to get a camber kit then? Cookies to everyone if it works

 

[DanThMan1983]

thanks a lot guys. So I should try to get a camber kit then? Cookies to everyone if it works

Im an alignment guy at a dealership, if I were you I would check the alignment and which ever side is off, see how far off it is and determine if its minor wear and tear or something could be bent. Can you post your alignment specs?

 

[oplix]

I believe I already said in the OP that I went to get an alignment done.