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Alignment problem. My caster angle is off. Common problems and fixes?
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Waterfowler
Anonymous Poster
ralph@waterfowlers.net
Feb 29, 2008, 11:31 PM
Post #1 of 7
(5312 views)
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Alignment problem. My caster angle is off. Common problems and fixes?
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I bought a 01 Cabrio for my 16 year old daughter a few weeks ago knowing that the car leaned a little to the right. It doesn't lean heavily once you get going, but when I am accelerating it is noticeable. There is no uneven tire wear that I can tell and the steering wheel remains perfectly straight.
The car had obviously ran over a curb because the passenger side tie rod was slightly bent and there was a small scuff on that side's skirt too. I am not a mechanically inclined but I did replace the bent tie rod(thanks to Napa for letting me buy and return their KD3312). So when I took it to the alignment shop today, I figured that would cure the problem but my caster adjustment is too far off and my car still leans to the right.
My caster angle is 1.7 degrees on the left and -1.0 degrees on the right, I looked at the control arm and it didn't look like there was any damage there but I could have missed something, Any advice on where to look for a problem and fix it? Thanks.
2001 VW Cabrio
2.0 4cyl
46,550 miles
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 1, 2008, 4:04 AM
Post #2 of 7
(5303 views)
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Re: Alignment problem. My caster angle is off. Common problems and fixes?
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This is collision damage. The shop aligning it should know that it can't be adjusted as is and what to do about it. Frame straightening or what - it would be unique to the damage. Auto body shops and alignment shops work together for things like this,
T
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Waterfowler
Anonymous Poster
Mar 1, 2008, 3:07 PM
Post #3 of 7
(5297 views)
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Re: Alignment problem. My caster angle is off. Common problems and fixes?
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Thanks Tom. Does my caster reading sound really screwed up? The tires are exactly 1 7/8" from the inside of the fender on both sides of the wheel, and on both the passenger and driver's side. Plus I can't see any other physical damage or new parts underneath the car besides the tie rod I replaced. Not even the rim of the wheels have are dented.
How much does it typically cost to have the frame on you car straightened? I have been fortunate enough(so far) not to have taken a car to an autobody shop.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 2, 2008, 12:17 AM
Post #4 of 7
(5291 views)
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Re: Alignment problem. My caster angle is off. Common problems and fixes?
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Measurements in degrees are hard to see or measure with a tape measure. You said at first post the height wasn't right. That alone will wildly alter the alignment angles. That should not be adjusted to specs until height is correct. Each adjustment will change another until you get them all within the limits. It's a brain teaser of geometry.
You may not see the slight problem spot so easily. Some damage can happen and leave a wheel alone and hurt something else.
An alignment tech should be able to suggest what needs to be done to correct the problem. Adjustments only go so far before you need bending or parts replacement - depends on what the weakest link was in a given accident.
Positive caster makes the steering seek going straight ahead best seen on a bicycle. Those have fairly extreme positive caster - just push a bicycle by its seat and the front wheel want to go straight ahead and push it backwards it will cock sideways to turn. Same deal with cars but not so dramatically seen.
The equipment to measure this in degrees is VERY expensive! The frame machines are even more expensive which put the whole bolted up to a strong frame and check and adjust measurements by laser to known spots. Correcting that can cause a problem with body parts such that hoods, fenders, doors don't line up well and if bad enough renders the car junk as it would be too expensive to fix for many.
Hopefully you will find that a replaceable part is the problem. Frame straightening is a trade of its own. Many auto body shops farm that out. Costly equipment - like perhaps ove $100K and someone who knows how to operate it! Good alignment machines probably cost over $50k now - it's been a while!
Damage is a whole different problem than parts that wear out. As said it can easily total the car. A vehicle has many known strenghts for impact in an accident and if not back in original positions may not fare so well in a subsequent collision so it is either expensive to fix or too expensive to be worth it.
You need pro advice with the equipment to help you with this to even know - that's the way it is. How much $$ - can't say -ask,
T
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Waterfowler
Anonymous Poster
Mar 3, 2008, 10:40 PM
Post #5 of 7
(5280 views)
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Re: Alignment problem. My caster angle is off. Common problems and fixes?
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Went to the tire shop today and replaced all 4 tires. Right off the bat the tire guy said he knew what my problem was. One of my front tires was a soft grippy tire, the other one was a longer lasting but much harder tire. So the car was pulling towards the more grippy tire. The car tracked perfectly on the way home. I feel like an idiot, but somewhat relieved. :o
Thanks to everyone who pitched in with advice. :thumbup:
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slipperyslope
Novice
Mar 4, 2008, 3:12 AM
Post #6 of 7
(5275 views)
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Re: Alignment problem. My caster angle is off. Common problems and fixes?
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Don`t get too excited, according to your first post you still have -1.0 deg caster or right front? Vehicle will pull to the side with the least caster.Good luck!
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Waterfowler
Anonymous Poster
Mar 4, 2008, 10:52 AM
Post #7 of 7
(5270 views)
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Re: Alignment problem. My caster angle is off. Common problems and fixes?
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Actually I think it was just some high school kid at Pep Boys who did know what the hell they were doing. My initial caster reading was 2.0/left and 1.2/right. A 0.8 difference. The final reading was 1.7/left and -1.0/right. That's a hell of a difference for something that isn't adjustable. I am going to take it back there for another reading and if it reads a 2.7 difference again, I am going to ask the manager why and what did they do to get my caster angle so far off.
But the car drives perfect now. I just wish I had never taken it to Pep Boys. Who knows what they tried to do.
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