Got my wheel alignment done Friday and could not believe some of the initial measurements like the rear toe (3/8" toe-out total) and others. This is either a case of getting a bad alignment last time (likely), settings changing or a combination of both. Has anyone had their settings change dramatically from one alignment to the next? I'm thinking it is likely that my last alignment was not done well as evidenced by inside rear tire wear, from toe-out, on the last set of tires.

Initial Measurements

Front
Toe = 13/16" total (requested 0.0 on last alignment)
Camber = -1 13/32 deg L and -1 27/32 deg R (requested -1.0 last time)
Caster = 4 7/8 deg L and 3 9/16 deg R (requested 6.0 last time)

Rear
Toe = -3/8" toe out! (requested 1/4" toe-in total last time)
Camber = -1.5 deg L and -2 5/8 deg R (requested -1.5 deg last time)

New Settings

Front
Toe = 0.0"
Camber = -1.25
Caster = 5.25

Rear
Toe = 1/4" toe-in
Camber = -1.9

To say the least there is a dramatic difference in the way the car feels now. I think I'll make sure all of the cams are tightened down adequately, maybe go beyond spec torque.

 

Front
Toe = 13/16" total (requested 0.0 on last alignment)

You should have him align the car with sitting in it that would be a perfect toe setting not 0 degrees on both wheels.

The movement may be due to the rubber in the joints of the adjusters wearing.

 

Are you sure it was 13/16 inches? It seems like that would have shredded your tires!

Toe out in the rear is pretty scary. Any problems keeping the car straight?

 

Well they did a good job of cranking down the cams from what I can tell. The specs call for 58 ft-lbs on the cams which sounds very very low to me for a bolt that is about 7/16". I gradually dialed in higher settings on the torque wrench until I got to 110 ft-lbs and it was still clicking away, I was satisfied with 110 so I stopped. So, they definetly got them tight, have to see what happens between now and the next alignment.

I did go to a different place for the new alignment, won't be going back to the prior place.

I actually was sitting in the car when I got the last alignment done. I am questioning that value at this point. I'm not sure how the rubber would wear, I thought it would just change state over time, like get harder or dry out.

Yes, inches. I question the value of 13/16" at this time. The front tires wore close to even across the tread. Wore them down to wear bars in about 7,000 miles (street and autocross).

I'd say the toe-out tought me some lessons in over steer control during autocross. I'll probably have an easier time of it at the next event, wouldn't that be nice.