alignment problems

[itsonlynintegra]

hey everyone i have an acura integra. my car pulls to the left after i just did an alignment on it. the final readings were 0 toe for both front wheels and .10 for the rears, camber is -2.3 on the left and -2.8 on the right fronts and the camber in the back is only off -1.1 on both sides(i lowered it without a camber kit installed yet), but caster is .1 on the left and -1.3 on the right...the problem im having and cant understand is with the camber not to far off when you compare sides how could it pull left so hard..the other thing is with the caster like it is im pretty sure it should be pulling right if anything...i did get into a low speed accident that mainly effected the left front of the car but the body shop said it had no frame damage and everything is fine..it would be very helpful if i could get some ideas on whats causing this condition

[baz]

dont know if anyone will know as we are a site for old opels from pre 1975

we may have some one who knows but!


apart from that welcome to the site

[wrench459]

Your camber spread for the front is at max.
The caster spread is over in left field.
Whats the centerline reading?
Try flipping the front tires around to see if its pulls the other way.
Get an Opel mechanic to place a true four wheel alignment under the
Honda

Sorry I had to vent.. me and hondas don't get along.

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by wrench459 Your camber spread for the front is at max. The caster spread is over in left field. Whats the centerline reading? Try flipping the front tires around to see if its pulls the other way. Get an Opel mechanic to place a true four wheel alignment under the Honda Sorry I had to vent.. me and hondas don't get along.

I would say Dan is on the money on this except for the Honda comment. I don't understand that part especially when you clearly stated "Acura". How much did you lower the car? Correct the camber soon or you will ruin the tires. My wife's daughter had a lowered RSX that did not have the kit installed. It's hard on tires and the kits are relatively simple to install.

The caster is off more than you think. I thought you usually didn't want to see any more than .5 difference in caster from side to side. If I'm doing the math correctly the difference is 1.4.
Camber, as you know, is the vertical relationship of the tire. Whether it is vertical or the top is leaning in or out. This part is easy to see and understand.
Caster, I always explain with examples of extremes. A chopper motorcycle is an extreme example of 'positive' caster. The bike tends to want to travel straight ahead. A car with positive caster will tend to self center more readily. Negative caster is the type of caster you see on furniture, creepers, shopping carts, etc. they trail behind and very easily change directions. Granted these are extremes but hopefully it will help to visualize the difference and effects positive and negative caster has on steering. It also effects handling. Increasing positive caster also increases steering effort. Not as important probably on a power steering car but definitely noticeable on our Opels.

Harold