I am getting my s2000 back from the body shop soon after bashing the rear wheel into a concrete divider. They replaced the tire, wheel and suspension for that wheel, including the subframe. What do I need to check to make sure they did the job correctly (aside from ensuring that OEM tires were used- mechanic assures me tread pattern matches). How do I ensure that alignment, toe in, etc were set correctly, (except for how the car drives)? Thanks in advance for your help!
Don

 

Unfortunately you are going to have to trust the shop regarding alignment. The car is sensitive to misalignment however. One tell-tale sign is how the steering feels. Mine was out in the rear and the steering seemed difficult to get it to begin to change directions. But once you got it headed in to a turn it became much easier to steer. The local Honda shop here printed out a complete report on the before and after measurements from the alignment machine. Did you get such a report with the repair?

 

Al,
I haven't gotten the car back yet. I'll ask for such a printout. My local honda dealer doesn't do bodywork, so had to get it done at an independent shop. They seem pretty compulsive though. Should I also take it to the dealer after the repair for a check? I appreciate the info.
Don

 

I would take it to the Honda dealer and get it checked. Obviously it is a four wheel alignment and I wouldn't trust a body shop to get it on the money. The technician spent about one hour on mine. BTW, it was done at 1800 miles as warranty since the wheel wasn't centered well.

 

Make sure you torque all the nuts and bolts. Not all mechanics will get all of them tight.

 

Hi SF Dukie

Sorry to hear about your mishap. I'd find a body/allignment shop (not the one which did your fix) which uses a laser allignment machine to check that the car is "square." Then I'd check that the allignment of all 4 wheels are spot on spec.

Good luck!!

2x6spds