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Steering Alignment (with Correct Data in Post 1)

122K views 482 replies 109 participants last post by  Old Engineer 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I'm starting a new thread because it's almost impossible to follow the 'Sticky' above on "Tyre Wear Issues" There's now 905 posts in the sticky with about 3 contributions on the data you need. David C tries very hard to contribute but the whole thread is dragged down by tyre selection comments.

Anyway, I found the setting should now be Minus 2' +/- 5' per wheel (double for total Toe Out) or as David C keeps saying "set it to Zero" (the old settings for a TI were 7' +/- 4' per wheel)

Below is the print out from my alignment setting today. But there is a story.

I told them that there were new settings and handed them my information. They said not to worry as they had received the latest software and proceded to unwrap the package and load it on the computer. When I examined it with them the available models were very old. No mention of TI Spec. No mention of the TBi engine. Nothing for the new 2.0 litre diesel. So, unsurprisingly, the settings were still the old.

So they set up a manual intervention as a cross between mine and the auto settings for the rest.

So I now have absolute zero on the front and +13' per side on the rear. You will see that the 'before' readings showed a massive -23' on the nearside front.

Slightly worrying is the off-side camber readings. The spec sheet showed the TI should have Minus 61' +/- 18' on the front and Minus 63' +/- 18' on the rear. Mine finished up with Minus 101' front and 121' rear. The nearsides are just about the tolerance. So I'll have to do some more investigation. I'm not sure if the front is even adjustable.

Any views?
 

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#210 ·
You were, and I’m sorry if my post appeared to be critical, but as I said, I was a trifle confused as to what was actually being said. Other than my previous 156, I have not been the owner of a FWD car, and tracking has never been such an issue, and I’d always assumed that front wheel tracking was toe-in anyway. (On the one occasion I had the 156 tracking adjusted the results were given to me in mm anyway.)
 
#212 ·
AutoLusso would have investigated the noise and done the alignment. If you are worried about warranties and loosing it because you are using an independent you don't have to. The law on using independent garages was changed years ago and using an independent instead of a dealer does not invalidate your warranty.

Please make sure that for £40 you are getting a full 4 wheel alignment. The rear wheels are also adjustable on a 159 and it is worth getting them adjusted to the manufacturers recommendations.

I do understand you not wanting to break existing appointments though.
 
#213 ·
Decided it was time to recheck my alignment (16 Months old and a lot pf pot holes) and also the Dealer had done a drive shaft and I wanted to make sure nothing had moved.

But the readings were odd. After they centered the steering wheel the right hand came up as +7' and the left hand as -7'

Can't think what the dealer might have done to cause that. The right rear was also slightly out. Now all adjusted with the fronts at -1' each.
 
#214 ·
Hi all,

Long and technically confusing thread for a newb like me :(

I was hoping that someone could provide the information to make sure my wheels are properly aligned. I would love for a recommendation if possible, somewhere reputable Cardiff-Bristol way or is this a procedure that any garage with access to factory information and right equipment can get right easily?
 
#217 ·
I am having two new front tyres fitted this week in France and just wanted to check if I should be asking for the settings as in the 1st post in this thread, Does driving on the right with opposite camber on the roads here make a difference to how the alignment should be done?

Actually getting a French garage to do what I ask when I don't really have a clue what it all means could be interesting.
 
#225 ·
I have had my 2.4brera for 3 weeks now and I noticed last night that after only 800 miles since I bought it, the inner edges of both rears have worn down to the wear indicator and these where nearly new! Also the car veers to the left and the steering wheel in slightly off centre in a straight line. Called Mangoletsi up and they said they would look at it and see if the tyres where legal but said they wouldn't change the tyres. Surely this issue must have been there when I picked it up? I've owned all sorts of cars and have never seen anything like this!
HELP!!!!!!:cry:
 
#229 ·
Finally got mine sorted. Rears are to factory fronts to zero. All cambers within tolerance. Guy was really knowledgeable and talked me through before during and after the set up. My previous experience of the process had not been good, however this guy was spot on, FCM in Bristol. Time will be the real judge tho.

Thx also to OE and David C for their input in such matters
 
#230 ·
It's the rear wheels on my 159 2.0jtdm that are knackered. On the 3rd set in less than a year. Had 4 wheel alignment done on a Hunter machine but I think they set to Alfa's recommendations which are clearly hopeless. Any suggestions on settings for the rear - I don't really know the technical stuff but if I can go back to the diagnostic centre with some figures they'll hopefully change them.
 
#231 ·
Just got two new front tyres fitted on my Brera 2.4 (18" Pirellis) Afte reading this thread (some of it anyway) I asked the fella at the garage to set the tracking to zero, first of all he looked confused and then said " we don't do tracking anymore... but we can offer a four wheel alignment for £79.99" Apologies of this has already been advised in this thread but does that sound correct? Didn't tracking use to cost about £10 or someting?
 
#232 ·
...and then said " we don't do tracking anymore... but we can offer a four wheel alignment for £79.99" Apologies of this has already been advised in this thread but does that sound correct? Didn't tracking use to cost about £10 or someting?
It probably did cost £10 a very long time ago.

Besides you need all four wheels checked and set, not just the front.

Front just has toe adjustment (set to 0mm toe)

Rear has toe and camber adjustments (set to the std book settings).
 
#234 · (Edited)
Hi guys, I've read through a lot of the info above but if i'm honest it frazzles my brain. Anyway my brother in law (handy family mechanic) has set all four wheels to Zero toe, but he said the manufacturer's guidlines state the camber should be approx -1 degree (per wheel) so he left them as that. Is this ok or should the angle be reduced?
My rears are quite badly worn on the inside - only had the car 2 months and i supect the rear tyres my have previously been on the front (toe on the front was way out before he changed them), but could it be the camber doing this? I don't know if 1 degree is a lot or not?!
The car is handling noticably better now.
Thanks in advance!

p.s. 2009 1.9 LE, 19inch rims (basically Ti spec if that matters!)
 
#235 ·
ERK! JP - please get your bro-in-law to reset the rears to the factory settings asap (unless you want to end up going through a hedge backwards). The toe-in on the rear is what helps keep the back end of the car going in a straight line, and helps it grip in corners.

Camber won't scrub the inner edge off the tyre - too much toe out will.
 
#236 ·
Ok thanks, so from what you're saying can I take it that camber is fine, front toe is fine, but rear toe needs to be........what?! Sorry I know I could check in the book but there's so many different numbers on here that I dont know what's right or wrong!
 
#240 ·
If rear camber bolts are seized (not uncommon) then I would get them freed up and adjusted. I think the current settings will cause some increased tyre wear towards the inner edge on the rear tyres. It will look a little like excess toe but will be more progressive across the tyre rather than focused on the inner edge.

How do you feel it drives now compared to "before?"
 
G
#241 ·
Hiya,
Thanks for the advise, it's very helpful as I have no idea what I'm looking at, I'll ask my local mechanic to have a go at freeing them up for me as he's very honest and cheap before I take it back for adjusting.
To be honest, not sure if it's me but it does feel to run less twitchy and I think though could be in my mind the steering might be a little heavier. Not really thrown it around yet to see how it behaves on the edge so need to try that out at some point.
Before hand if I took my eyes off the road for a second (eg. stereo, cooling, checking out other Alfa's or my favorite past time bird watching :p) I'd find when I looked back I was on a collision course with either side of the road :eek:. Now that seems to have gone at least I think so.
In the wife's Beetle :eek: I can oggle at other Alfa's or long legged birdies :eek: for longer without the fear of wondering into something.

Thanks again.:thumbs:
 
#243 ·
Looks like they haven't touched the rear camber (which IS adjustable)
Rear toe was even when you went in and was UNEVEN when you left....

and you also left with more total front toe than you entered with....

So overall I'd say a poor effort...!!
 
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