ALIGNMENT ISSUE??
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ALIGNMENT ISSUE??
I own a 2003 a6 quattro and I love the car. I recently replaced all my front end components, installed new konig dampners, and eibach lowering springs. The car is driving solid except when it hits a small bump the car sways side to side. The mechanic said he did an alignment. Anyone have any thoughts on whats causing this? Can the toe or camber be adjusted on my car??
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From: NE Ohio
Sounds like the 'Toe Constant S' setting is out.
AKA "toe-in curve" or "bump steering adjustment" it is located at the tie rod ball-joint end into the bearing housing upright. Can't give you the alignment specs based on non-oem coil and altered height, but I did give you some search words on this.
Last edited by jcman; Apr 25, 2011 at 05:01 PM.
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ideal alignment geometry does not change regardless of ride height.
What changes is the actual. In general two things change with a lowered car:
1. it may go more negative in camber, because the upright portion of the defining triangle is now shorter (bigger sinX)
2. it may have bump steer, because now the tie rod is always going from slightly negative to greatly negative rather than small changes around parallel
But the goal remains the same. of course individuals make different camber selections based on their preference for long wear vs optimized traction under hard cornering. There is a trade off, and its unavoidable.
G
What changes is the actual. In general two things change with a lowered car:
1. it may go more negative in camber, because the upright portion of the defining triangle is now shorter (bigger sinX)
2. it may have bump steer, because now the tie rod is always going from slightly negative to greatly negative rather than small changes around parallel
But the goal remains the same. of course individuals make different camber selections based on their preference for long wear vs optimized traction under hard cornering. There is a trade off, and its unavoidable.
G
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"Of course individuals make different ride height selections based on their preference for bad-a$$ looks versus ridiculous amount of rubbing."
Not trying to troll, Grant, just tellin it like it is. You've been around here long enough to know.
;-)
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yup. But this question sounded legit. I do think many people are confused and think alignment is relative to the suspension. Its not, its relative to the centerline of the car. Which does not change.
I am becoming curmudgeonly too.
G
I am becoming curmudgeonly too.
G
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I also believe it could be that it needs a camber adjustment as well. Guys I am new to the forum and I really appreciate the valuable input from all of you, you guys have been real helpful.
Is it possible the the lowering springs that I installed in my car need time to settle in and could cause some side to side shifting? Or is that just me coming up with new theories lol?
Is it possible the the lowering springs that I installed in my car need time to settle in and could cause some side to side shifting? Or is that just me coming up with new theories lol?
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sometimes they do need to settle, and sometimes high pressure gas shocks need to settle, btu not as much as most believe. beyond a certain point, lowered springs make proper camber impossible without hack-work. beware.
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From: Denver
Cheers 
.
Eibachs really just don't settle, unless they're defective, which is rare.
The side-to-side shifting is steering instability...the alignment isn't correct. Post your current alignment numbers.
I disagree, a high pressure gas shock does not need to settle. If it does, the seals are worn or faulty, and it should either be rebuilt or replaced. I seem to lose a few psi over the course of a year through normal Schrader valve leakage, but that is all, and it's hard to say how much is sloppy refill on my part vs honest leaking.
If a new shock includes rubber or poly mounts, that may compress, but the shock itself should not settle.
Yup...done right, you'll need different parts entirely, and you'll never get the stock camber curve back. IMHO...better to run a slightly wider wheel and tire, swaybars, stiffer springs and more compression dampening, than potentially lose handling by running in part of the camber curve intended for cornering.
...But that doesn't stop anyone from doing it
.
.The side-to-side shifting is steering instability...the alignment isn't correct. Post your current alignment numbers.
If a new shock includes rubber or poly mounts, that may compress, but the shock itself should not settle.
beyond a certain point, lowered springs make proper camber impossible without hack-work. beware.
...But that doesn't stop anyone from doing it
.
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That may be it (re: settling)
Cheers .
I disagree, a high pressure gas shock does not need to settle. If it does, the seals are worn or faulty, and it should either be rebuilt or replaced.
<snip>
If a new shock includes rubber or poly mounts, that may compress, but the shock itself should not settle.
.I disagree, a high pressure gas shock does not need to settle. If it does, the seals are worn or faulty, and it should either be rebuilt or replaced.
<snip>
If a new shock includes rubber or poly mounts, that may compress, but the shock itself should not settle.
G</snip>
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