alarose64

Hello,

I recently picked up an MY01 bone stock with 111k miles. I have been autocrossing the car since I got it a few months ago. I got the UK spec alignment from Firestone, competed in an autocross, and noticed that the car was horribly out of alignment after the event. The steering wheel had to be turned left in order to go straight. So I took it back to Firestone for a warranty alignment, and all 4 wheels were very out of spec... I thought maybe they didn't tighten something enough or something (sorry, im a suspension noob) and I had them re align it. About a week later, its already out of alignment. The steering wheel needs to be turned right to go straight and it sort of wanders a bit now.

My question is: what could make this car go out of alignment so quickly? I can't afford to re-align it every week and I can't afford to be trashing tires so quickly. Is it possible that alignment bolts need to be replaced? Is this a common issue people are having?

Thanks

B serious

Buy a lifetime alignment.

You may have bad bushings and/or a loose subframe(s)

sillyboybmxer

Autoxers usually double to the torque on the alignment bolts because they slip. Request they do that first
Here is a thread i dug up
https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/113...-front-camber/

alarose64

Thank you! I am going to get under the car tonight and check subframe torque, and inspect the bushings and ball joints. Then I'll head over to firestone and tell them to align it again under warranty but torque the bolts much tighter. If that doesn't work... i guess new hardware.

B serious

Lol I doubt firestone is using torque wrenches. I think the factory torque is...what? 40-50LB on those bolts? The dude is likely hanging on them with his wrench.

B serious

Mark your adjusters with a paint marker after an alignment. Then see if they have slipped later.

s2000Junky

Your already taking your s2000 to a garbage facility for an alignment on this car, if your going to choose to take it there to begin with, at least get their lifetime alignment so you can keep taking it back for free each week lol

B serious

?? My S2000's alignment turns out great at firestone. Just find one with good techs and always get a print out.

Car Analogy

Eager to hear what you find with subframe bolts. Im betting that is the issue. It would totally fit all the facts, and is not all that uncommon for them to become loose.

Be sure to check both front and rear. Subframes.

If it turns out they are loose, align subframes using the subframe to frame holes, then torque them down.

I have had good success with my local Firestone too...

Sent from my SM-G920P using IB AutoGroup

davidc1

While this is true, the problem is first you have to find a good tech. Then you have to be able to bring it in when that tech is working. Then, the tech will quit and you are back to square one. Done this 3 times.