Another alignment query

[Amos91]

After having some lowering springs fitted I thought I'd get the alignment checked out. Since I've had the car I have always had to hold the wheel slightly right to maintain a straight course. (Nothing has been identified as worn at MOT etc).

Anyway, it didn't actually feel bad before it went in but now its been done its even worse. Have to hold the wheel at about 10 past 12 and it drifts to the left when the wheel is released. Seems fine at low speeds but once you hit motorway speeds it is more prevalent.

Guy used a hunter machine to do it. He removed the locking pins, turned the wheel a full turn left then right and centred it with a holder. (I know it says Clio III at the top, but that shouldn't make a difference?)

Will probably take it elsewhere to get checked first but any suggestions on what else may be the cause? Tempted to swap the front wheels to see if it pulls to the right...

Alignment image which seems spot on to me!:

 

[Amos91]

And as I can't edit. Pressures are 33psi front and 30psi back.

 

[mikeh]

The Geo looks fine.

What tyres do you have? Are the roads you're testing this on heavily cambered? Try getting in the middle of the road and see if the effect is reduced.

Other than that, have you checked trackrods, rack/bushes, balljoints etc. for play?

 

[Amos91]

The Geo looks fine.

What tyres do you have? Are the roads you're testing this on heavily cambered? Try getting in the middle of the road and see if the effect is reduced.

Other than that, have you checked trackrods, rack/bushes, balljoints etc. for play?

PS3's all round with good tread. I've tried it in the middle and on various roads. Will have to check the suspension when I'm next at the garage.

 

[loggyboy]

(I know it says Clio III at the top, but that shouldn't make a difference?)

Not sure of they are different, but if the targets are different between MK2 and Mk3 clios then it will make a difference.

 

[mikeh]

Not sure of they are different, but if the targets are different between MK2 and Mk3 clios then it will make a difference.

Why? All the target values are going to change is whether values are displayed in red or green, surely?

AFAIK, all the values on that sheet look pretty much spot on for a MK2 Clio.

OP: Another silly question, but are you sure it was setup with the steering wheel straight? It can be easy to move it whilst trying to free off stiff TREs. Your best bet may be to drop it back in there and ask them to double check it. Avoid mentioning your existing issue if you can.

 

[loggyboy]

Why? All the target values are going to change is whether values are displayed in red or green, surely?

AFAIK, all the values on that sheet look pretty much spot on for a MK2 Clio.

Obviously, If they are the same its no problem, but the whole idea of the red/green boxes are to get the geo to the manufacturers recommenendations, so if they targets are different, unless the mechanic knows MK2 settings off by heart an ignores the red/green warnings, he will have set them to Mk3 levels.

 

[mikeh]

It's irrelevant seeing as the only thing adjustable is the toe.

That toe would be acceptable on any car and certainly isn't the cause of his issues.

 

[jesus]

Clio 3 2005-2012.

Should be Clio 2 2000-2005 or similar.

 

[mikeh]

It should say "Clio/Lutecia: 1998- (Clio II - XBXX) : F4R Motor : Phase III (Sport version)"

But the writing at the top is irrelevant - the settings are fine

 

[Amos91]

Cheers, as I believed the settings look bang on. Even the rear beam looks like it hasn't taken a knock which is a good sign for its previous ownership.

I'm going to head back down on Saturday and probably ask if I can sit in the car and hold the wheel straight whilst its done.

 

[sbridgey]

I wouldn't have accepted that front toe figure 0.16 difference.

 

[Adam G]

^That's the before adjustment Simon.
After is perfectly acceptable.

 

[sbridgey]

my bad

 

[mikeh]

Cheers, as I believed the settings look bang on. Even the rear beam looks like it hasn't taken a knock which is a good sign for its previous ownership.

I'm going to head back down on Saturday and probably ask if I can sit in the car and hold the wheel straight whilst its done.

Taking another look at it, the symptoms getting worse after alignment kind of makes sense.

You had more toe out on the right before, so the result of the toe is the tendency to steer right whether the car overall is pulling left or not. So it was almost compensating for the car pulling left.

Now it's even, there is no compensation.

That doesn't help solve what the root cause is, but it may go some way to explaining it. It's certainly worth having the toe redone whilst verifying the wheel is perfectly straight, though.

 

[Amos91]

Taking another look at it, the symptoms getting worse after alignment kind of makes sense.

You had more toe out on the right before, so the result of the toe is the tendency to steer right whether the car overall is pulling left or not. So it was almost compensating for the car pulling left.

Now it's even, there is no compensation.

That doesn't help solve what the root cause is, but it may go some way to explaining it. It's certainly worth having the toe redone whilst verifying the wheel is perfectly straight, though.

That thought had crossed my mind when I looked at the before figures! I'll have to get it checked and go from there. Might be worth swapping the front tyres to see if it then pulls to the right. Can then hopefully eliminate an issue with the wheels.

 

[loggyboy]

It's irrelevant seeing as the only thing adjustable is the toe.

That toe would be acceptable on any car and certainly isn't the cause of his issues.

But as there is clearly an issue with his suspension, items such as caster, camber etc should be being checked against correct OE figures to ensure there isnt another suspension related issue (ie worn joints, missaligned/damaged suspension) that could be causing the other boxes to be in the red.
Just because Toe is the only thing thats adjustable, its not the only thing that can be out.

 

[mikeh]

But as there is clearly an issue with his suspension, items such as caster, camber etc should be being checked against correct OE figures to ensure there isnt another suspension related issue (ie worn joints, missaligned/damaged suspension) that could be causing the other boxes to be in the red.
Just because Toe is the only thing thats adjustable, its not the only thing that can be out.

I'm not sure what there is to argue - as already stated, the values are all spot on regardless of whether they are red or green.

 

[swince1]

Defo not sticky calliper? I'd do like Mc Lovin & crack out the luubbe..

 

[Amos91]

Defo not sticky calliper? I'd do like Mc Lovin & crack out the luubbe..

No unusual amounts of brake dust or heat. Also tried holding the brakes on whilst driving and it didn't seem to straighten it.

Doesn't seem to pull under braking either.