Where is a good place to get wheel alignment? I need to get one this Saturday after I put the coilover on. Somewhere that is reletively inexpensive. Thanks.
Its a good idea to get some corner balancing done also with coilovers. SS is the only one that I know of with the scales. Otherwise, you will have excessive wear on certain tires. I think GTEast does it, but I am not from the Atl. area.
I've found that any tire shop around town can do it, but it's not going to be a SOG caliber job. The best thing I've done is clip a coupon for any shop. Almost EVERY tire place takes competitor's coupons. Take the money saved and slip it to the mechanic doing the alignment before he starts. He'll be more than happy to spend the extra time to dial in -2 rear, -1.5 front rather than get it 'close.' Should be about $69.
-2 in the rear is really high. For coilovers, you should run -2 to -2.5 in the front and -.8 to -1.2 in the rear. Any more than that in the rear and the car will not rotate and understeer pretty bad. Go with 0 toe everywhere and as close to 0 cross camber. Leave the caster and kingpin angles the same as OE.
as a side note - YOU should be sitting in the car while the corner balancing is being done (or someone close to your weight) the coilovers you're getting were originally set up by siegel at sog. at the very least have them balanced there if gran tourismo east does not have balancing (call them and ask). GTE is much more reasonable in price for high-perf alignment.
Well with GTE's times, I won't be able to make it there till Thursday since they are open late that day. I leave at 5 and by the time i drive there, it'll be too close to 6, taking back roads and not 285.
another note in case i forget to tell you tomorrow, do not go lower than the control-arm "level" point. i'll explain more later.
keep the control arms and lateral links parallel to the ground surface. That'll be your optimal ride height
Ok I have corner balance done but I don't have the time after work to take the car to SOG or GTE. Is there any other reputable place near I75/285 where I can take the car to get an alignment? And that stays open later then 6pm? Thanks.
GTE raised their prices to $100 for a performance alignment. I'm going to take the car to SoG from now on and forgo the hassle of getting bitched at for my choice of suspension components. Clemsonscooby, why do you say to leave the caster at the stock setting? I was always under the impression that maximizing caster is a good thing since it increases the dynamic camber.
Russell, you could always try Butler Tire. I'm not sure how good their alignments are and whether or not they'll do a "performance" alignment. I believe that Keith "lostinthewoods" had his done at a Butler, may want to PM him. You may also want to pm "mckenzietj". He may be able to do one for you.
Ok a couple of things Toe- If you want the car to turn in a little toe out in the front is ok in the rear you pretty much always want zero toe unless you autocross....but who does that Camber On street tires we run 2.8 Front 1.8 Rear Caster- is for people who don't go to the track to talk about and honestly thats about all its good for. Just be happy with what ever caster you end up with. Everything is realative to tire wear, more camber generally chews up tires faster and more toe out or in chews up tires.
ok I'll give Butler Tire a call. I had called GTE early this morning but they are booked up today after 6pm and everyday next week after 6. They have opening in the middle of the day but i can't make it there and back to work within an hour. It's sad how long it takes to go like 20miles.
Take this however you would like, but if Butler Tire was on fire I wouldn't be the one calling the fire department. They are crooks plain and simple. They charge too much and they do a shitty job. Personally I would wait until you can get the car to GTE or SOG or GTE or GTE. OR GTE Matt
You could always try "just showing up". Walk in and ask for an alignment. I made an appointment my first time going there, and never made another one since.