Hi everyone, I spun out at a local autoX recently and the car "grazed" some bump stops sideways on the shoulder of the track. No visible damage and the car behaves like new.

However, when I took my car in for alignment a few days ago, they were unable to return the stock camber on the rear driver side to spec. The maximum setting would put it at -0.2 degrees of camber instead of the minimum -1.0 and -1.5 is where i would want it. Everything else returned to spec no problem on all four corners.

Due to the angle of the spin-out, the rear-drivers side touched the bump stops first, that is the side with the problem. After searching through the forum, I noticed that AuoxEX had had a similar experience, but his rear driver side toe would not return to stock spec, he replaced the rear driver upper control arm and all was good. The adjustment for camber is attached to the lower control arm in the rear. My suspicions are that that arm is slightly bent. However being made from cast iron, I thought this would have been harder to do, I am really surprised at the ease of the bending if this is the case.

The dealer had some other theories such as bent crossmembers and so on, but I highly doubt it since the "impact" was so minimal and it barely left a scratch on the mag. I also cannot tell them I was AutoXing, although in my opinion, this car is made for it, since I am worried they might use this against me in the future... SO basically, I had to keep the info from the dealer and look bad in front of the service manager who is a super nice guy.

I have contacted HandA and the part is only $200 US, I can always order it, drive down to New york and pick it up from a friends place, try it on and see if it aligns since they have a "no questions asked" return policy, however I want to spare myself the trouble and get as much info before pulling the order.

What do you guys think, I need some suspension knowledgeable answers, also if anyone with the helms manual can help, I would appreciate an answer.

Every day, I am more surprised at the fragilty of this car.

Thanks a million.

BTW, where can I get a helms manual and how much?

 

Don't know what to tell you dude, I helped Ching (autoxEX) replace his lower control arm, took about 40 minutes to do.
in case nobody can help you out here, you might want to take it to a performance shop, and see if they can help you make out what exactly is bent. Good luck.

 

www.helminc.com

service/shop manual is the one you want. about 65 bucks I think.

 

I am currently swapping e-mails with Ching, he has been extremely helpfull, however he doesn't remember wheather it was toe or camber that was messed up on his, he also doesn't remmember if it was the upper or lower arm. Are you sure you guys replaced the lower (larger) A arm?

Thanks

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Schatten
[B]www.helminc.com

service/shop manual is the one you want.

 

I replaced my Passenger Front Rim and Lower Control arm after hitting a pothole doing the Dragon...

They seem to bend easily.

 

That's cheap -- I need one for my wife's Toyota and it is $115...only available from the dealer.

Argh!

 

Very surpising indeed, with roads we have up here in Quebec Canada, I think i am going to have to attach balloons to my wheels.

 

Yeah, the helms manual will cost you a bit. I'm almost certain we replaced the Lower control arm.

 

Do you recall what his problem was, Toe or camber?

Thanks