View Full Version : Cut Front Springs & Alignment Issues
High-C
10-31-2008, 08:56 AM
I need help from the collective...
I had One Full Coil cut from my front springs and then had an alignment done to address the inside tire wear issues that I was having. When I left the place, it was dark and it seemed to track okay. When I left for OC several days later, I noticed that the steering wheel was off center by several inches but it was still tracking okay. I guess that when I drove home from the shop in the dark, I didn't notice the issue with the steering wheel...
I took it to the shop last week and they put it back on the alignment machine and supposedly fixed the problem... NOPE. As I was driving home I noticed that the wheel was better but not right and now it is pulling to the left...
Have those of you with the same modifications had any alignment issues? I gave them the CARFIXER specs at the time of alignment but I also recently read something about "flags" in another thread. I need more ammo for my side in order to prove that this is likely an issue with how they aligned the vehicle and not due to my suspension mods. I am taking it to the shop tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon and the owner himself is going to drive my car and align it himself...
Any and all advise is needed and I'm hoping that other owners with cut springs will speak up as to their experiences. Thanks in advance to all...
:help:... :dunno: - Chris
The flags need to be removed to do CARFIXERS specs properly bro.
Its a very easy problem to fix from what you are describing:
Find a different alignment shop.
(Im gonna assume you installed the springs clocked correctly)
High-C
10-31-2008, 09:16 AM
Its a very easy problem to fix from what you are describing:
Find a different alignment shop.
(Im gonna assume you installed the springs clocked correctly)
I wish I knew Zack... They are a competent performance shop but may not have ever aligned one of our cars. I guess I kinda need a step by step to give them that includes the flag removal and the spring placement... I'm still searching the site as we speak.
I will find another shop if I have to but it sucks when you've already paid for a proper alignment and funds are tight...
If a shop lets a car go out the door with the wheel obviously crooked or pulling to the left, they are not competent.
The bottoms of the springs need to be facing the exact same direction they were before cutting a coil.
Master
10-31-2008, 09:38 AM
Agreed. They gave it back to you with a wheel cocked and didn't seem to think anything of it. You need to go to a different shop. There is nothing particularly special about our cars that would stymie their efforts to provide a correct alignment.
I cut the springs myself, on the car, in the driveway. No wheel or alignment issues at all. Works great, handles even better.
Agreed. They gave it back to you with a wheel cocked and didn't seem to think anything of it. You need to go to a different shop. There is nothing particularly special about our cars that would stymie their efforts to provide a correct alignment.
I cut the springs myself, on the car, in the driveway. No wheel or alignment issues at all. Works great, handles even better.
I cut one spring in the car once, not fun.
BAD MERC
10-31-2008, 09:55 AM
Mine are cut and it drives by itself without pulling or drifting..
Did you replace the tires! If not the old tires could cause it due to the wear on them.
High-C
10-31-2008, 10:16 AM
Did you replace the tires! If not the old tires could cause it due to the wear on them.
Good point John but they are not bad with the exception of the common wear to just the very inside edges. My main issue is with the steering wheel position vs tracking and I'm fairly sure sure that is due to a misalignment instead of the current tires. I plan to put new tires on but these have less than 19k on them and I want to resolve this issue before damaging any new ones. :depress:
SILVERSURFER03
10-31-2008, 10:24 AM
i have cut springs but no alignment yet .... my wheel is strait tires kicked but drives great and handles the same i love it ......good luck chris i hope you win this fight
Any weird wear on a tire can cause this. Spent a long time working alignment shops and owning body shops. I would replace the tires and go directly to a shop you trust if it does not clear up the problem. Wheel alignment will not compensate for tire wear and the tires may be causing the pull!
FordNut
10-31-2008, 11:18 AM
A different alignment shop. A cocked steering wheel is a sign of either incompetence or disregard for quality.
justbob
10-31-2008, 12:52 PM
I put a firestone lifetime warranty on mine before i cut my springs and after 4 visits it is now really close but not perfect. What exactly do the test on a test drive? Steering wheel is off only a fraction now and she pulls a very slight right. The first couple were just like you described, waaaaaay off.
High-C
10-31-2008, 02:07 PM
I put a firestone lifetime warranty on mine before i cut my springs and after 4 visits it is now really close but not perfect. What exactly do the test on a test drive? Steering wheel is off only a fraction now and she pulls a very slight right. The first couple were just like you described, waaaaaay off.
At least I know that I'm not alone... :alone:
justbob
10-31-2008, 05:14 PM
Atleast you also know that it could be fixed after enough visits. BTW my flags are still in place. For now i want to keep the off camber. The dramatic difference in cornering is worth buying a new set of fronts every couple years. (don't drive her a whole lot anymore)
High-C
11-05-2008, 02:16 PM
I just wanted to update everyone on my previous alignment woes. After a few adjustments things are PERFECT. My car was the first Marauder that the shop had aligned and therefore needed a little more time than their usual Mustang alignments. It tracks straight and true and feels like it is on rails... I can now comfortably recommend Springfield Motorsport in Newington/Lorton, VA as a certified MM alignment resource for local CAM members. Now I need to see how it handles at 130+... :cool:
O's Fan Rich
11-05-2008, 02:18 PM
careful...... carefulllllllllll
SILVERSURFER03
11-05-2008, 02:19 PM
sweet great news chris
High-C
11-05-2008, 02:21 PM
careful...... carefulllllllllll
Why do you say that Rich? Can you PM me and elaborate?
O's Fan Rich
11-05-2008, 02:34 PM
Why do you say that Rich? Can you PM me and elaborate?
talkin' about the speed, buddy... the speed....
be careful
justbob
11-05-2008, 06:56 PM
Glad to hear it all work out.
Stranger in the Black Sedan
11-06-2008, 06:53 AM
You need a print out of your alignment, and 2ndly, aligning the car and centering the wheel are 2 different things, the car can be aligned and the wheel not centered to the alignment. I found a dealership tech who lets me personally user their Hunter rack at night when they are closed because I got sick of incompetent alignment shops.
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