Alignment Specs

[MyNameIsThien]

Here is a picture I scanned of my recent alignment. This is to show you where you alignment needs to be. Of course you can mess around with camber here and there for better cornering. I hope this answers a lot of questions.

[mitchigan]

These are my two previous alignment results. The Firestone tech told me the front right caster can't be changed and rear camber balances out so I would have no problems. Thien, it's interesting that you can get all your numbers to Honda specs if what my FS tech said was true. Care to fill me in on why this is so and why my specs will be okay? Thanks!

The first one was on January 14th, 2009.



The second on was done earlier this morning. For what it's worth they used the wrong specs as the DX numbers are different than the EX/LX. I also have no idea how they get the 0.08 degree tolerance for toe after I tried a zillion calculations...



EDIT: I test drove it on the hwy and now it's drifting right... WTF

[mitchigan]

Alignment Specs from Honda Accord Service Manual (2003-2005) the asterisk(*) denotes degree

Caster angle 3*15’±45’ = 3.25*±0.75*
Caster angle (DX model) 3*10’±45’ = 3.17*±0.75*

Camber Front 0.00*±45’ = ±0.75*
Camber Front (DX model) 0.30*±30’ = 0.50*±0. 50*

Camber Rear -1.00*±30’ = -1.00*±0.50*
Camber Rear (DX model) -0.50*±30’ = -0.50±0.50*

Front Toe 0±2mm ~ 0±5/64in
Rear Toe IN 2±2mm ~ 5/64in±5/64in
(someone please figure this one out, after I did numerous right angle, sidewall, and degree/minute/pi calculations I still can't get what Firestone has as their total toe spec: plus minus 0.16*)

Turning Angle Inward Wheel 38*50’±2* = 38.5*±0.033*
Turning Angle Inward Wheel (DX model) 39*00± 2* = 39.00*±0.033*

Turning Angle Outward Wheel (Reference) 31*40’ = 31.67*
Turning Angle Outward Wheel (Reference) (DX model) 31*50’ = 31.83*

[MyNameIsThien]

Caster is not adjustable. Do you have a rear camber kit? If so, the technician should've adjusted to make them equal. Every alignment I do, I always try to get it closes to factory specifications. Each adjustment has a tolerance. The tolerance spec is different for each car. The tolerance on your front toe is a total of 0.16. From 0, which is Honda specifications, you have a tolerance from -0.08 to 0.08. I would go back and advise them that your car still drifts and or pulls right. Have them recheck your alignment, and tell them its an EX/LX.

[mitchigan]

thanks Thien, I don't know if for my specs if DX or LX/EX mattered since they were still within both model's specs. anyway, the alignment this morning went much better and the accord doesn't drift anymore. I don't know why Firestone would assume I had a DX, or for that matter how my car drifted horribly to the right...

[wtcii]

I just went and got an alignment because my Dad said that the tire technicians said my tires had unusual wear. When I got the alignment sheet back, only the rear driver side was out. It was -2.3. I got eibach springs and ingalls rear control arms installed over two years ago. This is my fourth alignment since then and the time before this they said the rear left was way out. The first two alignments were the initial one and the one after the springs settled. I noticed tire wear so I got the third one done. I don't really trust the place I got the third one done at, they couldn't even give me an alignment spec sheet after I got it done. I trust the place where I got it done completely today but it seems like there might be a problem. What do you guys think?

[CrackerTeg]

Todays specs?

[wtcii]

I tried scanning the sheet but my scanner won't work. Everything was within the appropriate range except the rear left. It was -2.3

I don't know what it could have done but 3-4 years ago my friend backed into it in a parking lot. It took out the rear driver side door, dog leg portion of the quarter panel, and the rear bumper. It chipped the wheel so there was apparently contact between his car and that wheel.

[alpha]

Which measurement was -2.3?