I had my chassis aligned today. I'd been experiencing handling I wasn't happy with so I'd booked it in. Actually the dealer took some convincing that I needed an alignment at this mileage. They'd driven the car as well - and thought it was fine.

Anyway here's the figures:

Left Front:
Castor
Before: +6 degrees 08'
After: +6 degrees 06'
Camber
Before: -0 degrees 33'
After: -0 Degrees 35'
Toe
Before: -0.1mm
After: +0.0mm

Right Front
Castor
Before: +6 degrees 12'
After: +6 degrees 9'
Camber
Before: -0 degrees 27'
After: -0 degrees 32'
Toe
Before: -7.0mm - should be 0.0mm, tolerance +1mm, -1mm!
After: +0.1mm

Left Rear
Camber
Before: -2 degrees 06' - should be -1 degree 30', tolerance +0 degrees 10', -0 degrees 10'
After: -1 degree 38'
Toe
Before: +3.4mm - should be 3.2mm, tolerance +1.0mm, -1.0mm
After: 3.1mm

Right Rear
Camber
Before: -1 degree 40'
After: =1 degree 38'
Toe
Before 4.9mm - should be 3.2mm, tolerance +1.0mm, -1.0mm
After: 3.1mm

Geometric Driving Axis:
Before: 0 degrees 6'
After: 0 degrees 0'

I was shocked at how far some of it was out. Particularly the front right toe! The garage did an extensive check as they couldn't explain it being out so far without any damage. I haven't hit anything - and they didn't find any damage. The back end figures explained why the back end has been unpredictable, and different on different side corners.
The difference afterwards was marked. The car is far more planted. Much less understeer (I'm guessing that's the crazy front toe!). the back end slides very nicely and progressively either way now. A lot more fun and secure in these conditions - the back only went when I provoked it.
At the end the dealer was very apologetic. Cudous to my 'chassis butt dyno'. I'm very glad I've had this done. For

 

Well done Brian..........rather disturbing though!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by bmarshall
[B]

<in_the_interests_of_political_correctness muppetRating=0>snip</in_the_interests_of_political_correctness>

Anyway for those of you driving in all season like me, I'd suggest getting your aligment checked. It's not expensive, it might save you from an accident, and if it is out, you'll enjoy your S2000 when it's handling correctly!

 

It's hard to tell on the tire wear. I'm planning on digging my gauge out and checking all across both fronts. hard to tell anything visually when they're covered in road salt from the drive up.

The other interesting thing is I might have got better mpg on the drive up. Not enough miles to be conclusive yet though.

As far as the tires go - I think you're right. Correctly aligned, and with slippy roads, I found the S2000 a lot more fun to play with. Hopefully I'll see good spring conditions before the tires need replacing. I'm pretty certain for be that correct width S02PP's (or S04's/whatever is out then...) would give be a better overall driving experience - less outright grip, but more enjoyable, and much better in bad conditions.

-Brian.

 

Here's some more information. This will be the last on this until the issues are resolved.

Firstly, during a long conversation with the dealer they finally admitted that they did not align the car at all prior to delivery. Since I've had no incident, and noticed no handling changes until the alignment was fixed yesterday, it seems apparent the car was dangerously misaligned from new. I am serious about the saftey aspect - the difference in the user friendlines of the back end is black and white. I'd really make my strongest possible recommendation to get your alignment checked.

Secondly, tire wear. I purchased a new gauge since I couldn't find my old gauge! I'm using my comparison figure as Na$ty's figures from here since I've a similar dricing style, and spend most of my time on the same roads. His tread at 9k miles was:
7mm even front.
6mm even rear.

My car with just under 7,500 miles on it has:
6mm Front Left.
5.5mm Front Right, partially 6mm.
Just under 6mm Left Rear, with uneven wear. 6mm in places, less in others. (Incosistent accross the tire, which could well be measuring error.)
6.5mm Right Rear.

I was as careful as possible taking a lot of measurements. My owners manual specifically warns against using uneven or different tires on the rear...

The dealership were being very unhelpful on it. The service person in question was trying to make out that I'd booked in for an alignment after hitting something. Since I'd booked with him, and specifically stated that it was because I was unhappy with the back end, and wanted to be safe given the weather, I didn't take kindly to his version. I'm glad it's on record in posts at S2ki why I was getting the alignment done beforehand! The serivce manager who was made aware of the full situation last week, is back tomorrow so hopefully they'll be more helpful then.

On a brighter note, with the kind help of Biker1 (thanks!) the source of the noise has been traced. It's coming into the cabin through the gear level. Hold the gear level, and the noise stops. Of course, the car was relatively cold, so the noise was quite quiet. Hopefully it's something as straightforward as the reverse spring. Otherwise...

So I've my fingers crossed again, to finally get an S2000 that's problem free.

-Brian.

 

Brian
Quick question
When you picked up the car initially did you get a copy of the PDI and the things they had done?
Rather like a service tick sheet?
Is this something one should ask for?
Reason for asking - all my previous new cars have been 'company'.

 

Yes - I did get a PDI sheet. The 4 wheel alignment isn't on there. However in the documentation there is a section that includes what the dealer should have done before delivery including alignment. I had also specifically asked to make sure the car was aligned, both on the phone and during pickup. I queried it before signing the PDI sheet. (There was also a couple of minor problems that needed fixing before I signed for the car. For example the glove box didn't latch properly. I made sure these were fixed before signing for the car.)

My mistake was not asking for the alignement printout until today. I think it's a good idea to request an alignment from the dealer as part of PDI in case they don't and ask for the sheet to make sure it has been done. The printout is a little sheet listing each wheel with the before/after figures, plus tolerances, vehicle details etc. This was what the figure's I've posted came from.

-Brian.

 

Thx Brian - forewarned = forearmed

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by bmarshall
[B]

On a brighter note, with the kind help of Biker1 (thanks!) the source of the noise has been traced. It's coming into the cabin through the gear level. Hold the gear level, and the noise stops. Of course, the car was relatively cold, so the noise was quite quiet. Hopefully it's something as straightforward as the reverse spring.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by MattRS
[B]

Brian,

This noise sounds like the one i've posted about several times - happens on decceleration at around 4000rpm (almost exactly 39mph in 3rd gear, but only when slowing down) and is only really noticeable in 2nd and 3rd gear and when accelerating hard through VTEC..... It stops when you push sideways against the lever, and sounds like someone rattling a washer against a piece of hollow piping !!